Removal and Installation: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Nissan Xterra. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Remove engine room cover with power tool. Refer to "REMOVAL ".
Release the fuel pressure. Refer to FUEL PRESSURE RELEASE .
Drain engine oil. Refer to "CHANGING ENGINE OIL ".
CAUTION:
- Perform this step when engine is cold.
- Do not spill engine oil on drive belts.
Drain engine coolant from radiator. Refer to "DRAINING ENGINE COOLANT ".
CAUTION:
- Perform this step when engine is cold.
- Do not spill engine coolant on drive belts.
Remove radiator cooling fan assembly. Refer to "ENGINE COOLING FAN ".
Separate engine harnesses removing their brackets from front timing chain case.
Remove drive belts. Refer to "REMOVAL ".
Remove power steering oil pump from bracket with piping connected, and temporarily secure it aside. Refer to "REMOVAL ".
Remove power steering oil pump bracket. Refer to "REMOVAL ".
Remove alternator. Refer to "REMOVAL ".
Remove water bypass hose, water hose clamp and idler pulley bracket from front timing chain case.
Remove right and left intake valve timing control covers.
- Loosen bolts in reverse order as shown below.
- Cut liquid gasket for removal using Tool.
  Tool number: KV10111100 (J-37228)
  
  CAUTION: Shaft is internally jointed with camshaft sprocket (INT) center hole. When removing, keep it horizontal until it is completely disconnected.
  
  Fig 1: Right And Left Intake Valve Timing Control Covers Bolts (With Tightening Sequence)
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Remove collared O-rings from front timing chain case (left and right side).

Fig 2: Removing Collared O-Rings From Front Timing Chain Case (Left And Right Side)
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Remove rocker covers (right and left banks). Refer to "REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ".
NOTE: When only timing chain (primary) is removed, rocker cover does not need to be removed.
Obtain No. 1 cylinder at TDC of its compression stroke as follows:
NOTE: When timing chain is not removed/installed, this step is not required.
1. Rotate crankshaft pulley clockwise to align timing mark (grooved line without color) with timing indicator.
  
  Fig 3: Rotating Crankshaft Pulley Clockwise For Aligning Timing Mark (Grooved Line Without Color) With Timing Indicator
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
2. Make sure that intake and exhaust cam noses on No. 1 cylinder (engine front side of right bank) are located as shown below.
  - If not, turn crankshaft one revolution (360°) and align as shown below.
    NOTE: When only timing chain (primary) is removed, rocker cover does not need to be removed. To make sure that No. 1 cylinder is at its compression TDC, remove front timing chain case first. Then check mating marks on camshaft sprockets. Refer to "INSTALLATION ".
    
    Fig 4: Identifying Intake And Exhaust Cam Lobes Position
    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Remove crankshaft pulley as follows:
1. Remove starter motor and set Tool. Refer to "REMOVAL ".
  Tool number: KV10117700 (J-44716)
  
  Fig 5: Setting Tool
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
2. Loosen crankshaft pulley bolt and locate bolt seating surface as 10 mm (0.39 in) from its original position.
  CAUTION: Do not remove crankshaft pulley bolt. Keep loosened crankshaft pulley bolt in place to protect the crankshaft pulley from dropping.
  
  Fig 6: Locating Crankshaft Pulley Bolt
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
3. Pull crankshaft pulley with both hands to remove it.
Loosen two bolts in front of oil pan (upper) in reverse order as shown below.

Fig 7: Locating Two Bolts In Front Of Oil Pan Bolts (Upper)
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Remove front timing chain case as follows:
1. Loosen bolts with power tool in reverse order as shown below.
  
  Fig 8: Front Timing Chain Case Bolts (With Tightening Sequence)
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
2. Insert suitable tool into the notch at the top of the front timing chain case as shown below(1).
3. Pry off case by moving tool as shown below (2).
  - Cut liquid gasket for removal using Tool.
    Tool number: KV10111100 (J-37228)
    CAUTION:
    Do not use screwdriver or something similar.
    
    After removal, handle front timing chain case carefully so it does not tilt, cant, or warp under a load.
    Fig 9: Inserting Suitable Tool Into Notch At Top Of Front Timing Chain Case
    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Remove O-rings from rear timing chain case.

Fig 10: Removing O-Rings From Rear Timing Chain Case
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Remove water pump cover and chain tensioner cover from front timing chain case, if necessary.
- Cut liquid gasket for removal using Tool.
  Tool number: KV10111100 (J-37228)
Remove front oil seal from front timing chain case using suitable tool.
CAUTION: Be careful not to damage front timing chain case.

Fig 11: Removing Front Oil Seal From Front Timing Chain Case Using Suitable Tool
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Remove timing chain and related parts. Refer to "REMOVAL ".
Use a scraper to remove all traces of old liquid gasket from front and rear timing chain cases and oil pan (upper), and liquid gasket mating surfaces.
CAUTION: Be careful not to allow gasket fragments to enter oil pan.

Fig 12: Removing All Traces Of Old Liquid Gasket From Front And Rear Timing Chain Cases And Oil Pan (Upper)
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
- Remove old liquid gasket from bolt hole and thread.
  
  Fig 13: Removing Old Liquid Gasket From Bolt Hole And Thread
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Use a scraper to remove all traces of old liquid gasket from water pump cover, chain tensioner cover and intake valve timing control covers.

Fig 14: Removing All Traces Of Old Liquid Gasket From Water Pump Cover, Chain Tensioner Cover And Intake Valve Timing Control Covers
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.