Disassembly and Assembly: Disassembly

Fig 1: Identifying VVEL Ladder Assembly, Adjusting Bolts & Mounting Bolts

Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

CAUTION: Never loosen adjusting bolts (A) and mounting bolts (black color) (B) of VVEL ladder assembly. If loosened, the stroke of cam lift becomes out of adjustment. In such case, replacement of VVEL ladder assembly and cylinder head assembly is required.

NOTE: VVEL ladder assembly cannot be replaced as a single part, because it is machined together with cylinder head assembly.

Remove rocker covers (bank 1 and bank 2). Refer to "EXPLODED VIEW ".
Remove VVEL actuator sub assembly as follows:
CAUTION: VVEL actuator sub assembly and VVEL control shaft position sensor are not reusable. Never remove them unless required.
1. Remove VVEL control shaft position sensor.
2. Turn control shaft to the large lift side and fix it in order to prevent the interference of the stopper surface.
  - If control shaft cannot be moved, set crankshaft in position referring to the information below. (To displace cam nose)
    Bank 1: Turn 120 degrees from no. 1 cylinder at TDC
    
    Bank 2: No. 1 cylinder at TDC
3. Fix two flat areas (C) of control shaft with a wrench to remove mounting bolts of control shaft.
  
  Fig 2: Removing Control Shaft Mounting Bolt
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
  CAUTION:
  - During the operation, never allow a wrench to interfere with other parts.
  - Fix control shaft to prevent the interference of the stopper surface.
4. Remove VVEL actuator sub assembly.
  - Loosen mounting bolts in the reverse order as shown in the figure below.
    
    Fig 3: VVEL Actuator Sub Assembly Bolt Tightening Sequence
    Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
  CAUTION:
  - When removing, prepare wastes because oil spills.
  - When installing, be careful with VVEL actuator sub assembly (bank 2) mounting bolt No. 1 because its length is different.
5. Remove actuator bracket (rear).
  - Loosen mounting bolts in the reverse order as shown in the figure below.
    
    Fig 4: Rear Actuator Bracket Bolt Tightening Sequence
    Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Remove front timing chain case, camshaft sprockets, and timing chain. Refer to "EXPLODED VIEW ".
Remove rear timing chain case. Refer to "EXPLODED VIEW ".
Remove VVEL ladder assembly.
- Loosen mounting bolts (gold color) in the reverse order as shown in the figure below.
  
  Fig 5: VVEL Ladder Assembly Bolt Tightening Sequence
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
CAUTION:
- Never loosen adjusting bolts and mounting bolts (black color).
- When removing VVEL ladder assembly, hold the drive shaft from below so as not to drop it.
Remove camshaft (EXH).
Remove valve lifter.
- Identify installation positions, and store them without mixing them up.
Remove timing chain tensioners (secondary) (1) from cylinder head.

Fig 6: Identifying Secondary Timing Chain Tensioners And Stopper Pin
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
- Remove timing chain tensioners (secondary) with its stopper pin (C) attached.
NOTE: Stopper pin should be attached when timing chain (secondary) is removed.
Remove oil filter from cylinder head, if necessary.