Nissan Altima (L32) 2007-2012 Service Manual: Camshaft

Removal and Installation

1. Camshaft bracket (No.1)

2. Washer

3. Front cover (partial view)

4. Chain guide

5. Chain tensioner

6. O-ring(s)

7. Chain tensioner spring

8. Chain tensioner plunger

9. IVT control solenoid valve

10. IVT control cover

11. Camshaft sprocket (EXH)

12. Camshaft sprocket (INT)

13. Valve lifter

14. Camshaft (EXH)

15. Camshaft (INT)

16. Camshaft brackets (EXH)

17. Camshaft brackets (INT)

18. Camshaft sensor bracket

A. Follow installation for tightening steps

REMOVAL

1. Remove the rocker cover. Refer to EM-39, "Removal and Installation".

2. Remove the front right side tire and wheel. Refer to WT-66, "Adjustment".

3. Remove the RH splash shield using power tool.

4. Remove the drive belt. Refer to EM-16, "Removal and Installation".

5. Remove the power steering reservoir. Refer to ST-19, "QR25DE : Exploded View".

6. Remove the coolant overflow reservoir tank.

7. Disconnect variable timing control solenoid and camshaft sensor harness connectors.

8. Remove camshaft sensor.

9. Remove camshaft sensor bracket.

10. Loosen the IVT control cover bolts in the order as shown.

• Remove the IVT control cover by cutting the sealant using Tool.

Tool number : KV10111100 (J-37228)

11. Set the No.1 cylinder at TDC on its compression stroke with the following procedure: a. Open the splash cover on RH under cover.

b. Rotate crankshaft pulley clockwise, and align mating marks for TDC with timing indicator on front cover, as shown.

c. At the same time, make sure that the mating marks on camshaft sprockets are lined up with the yellow links in the timing chain, as shown.

• If not, rotate crankshaft pulley one more turn to line up the mating marks to the yellow links, as shown.

12. Pull the timing chain guide out between the camshaft sprockets through front cover.

13. Remove camshaft sprockets with the following procedure.

CAUTION: • Do not rotate the crankshaft or camshaft while the timing chain is removed. It causes interference between valve and piston.

• Chain tension holding work is not necessary. Crankshaft sprocket and timing chain do not disconnect structurally while front cover is attached.

a. Line up the mating marks on camshaft sprockets with the yellow links in the timing chain, and paint an indelible mating mark on the sprocket and timing chain link plate.

b. Push in the tensioner plunger and hold. Insert a stopper pin into the hole on tensioner body to hold the chain tensioner. Remove the timing chain tensioner.

• Use a wire with 0.5 mm (0.02 in) diameter for a stopper pin.

c. Secure the hexagonal part of camshaft with a suitable tool.

Loosen the camshaft sprocket mounting bolts and remove the camshaft sprockets.

14. Loosen the camshaft bracket bolts in the order as shown, and remove the camshaft brackets and camshafts.

• Remove No.1 camshaft bracket by slightly tapping it with a rubber mallet.

15. Remove the valve lifters.

• Check mounting positions, and set them aside in the order removed.

Inspection After Installation

Camshaft Runout

1. Put the camshaft on a V-block supporting the No.2 and No.5 journals.

2. Set the dial gauge vertically on the No.3 journal.

3. Turn camshaft in one direction by hand, and measure the camshaft runout on the dial gauge total indicator reading.

Standard : Less than 0.04 mm (0.0016 in)

Camshaft Cam Height

1. Measure the camshaft cam height.

Standard intake cam height : 44.815 - 45.005 mm (1.7644 - 1.7718 in)

Standard exhaust cam height : 43.975 - 44.165 mm (1.7313 - 1.7388 in)

2. If wear is beyond the limit, replace the camshaft.

Camshaft Journal Clearance

Outer Diameter of Camshaft Journal

• Measure the outer diameter of the camshaft journal.

Standard No.1 outer diameter : 27.935 - 27.955 mm (1.0998 - 1.1006 in)

Standard No.2, 3, 4, 5, outer diameter : 23.435 - 23.455 mm (0.9226 - 0.9234 in)

Inner Diameter of Camshaft Bracket

• Tighten the camshaft bracket bolts to the specified torque following the tightening pattern as shown.

CAUTION: After tightening camshaft bracket bolts, be sure to wipe off excessive sealant from the parts listed below.

• Mating surface of front cover, when installed without the front cover.

• Using inside micrometer, measure inner diameter of camshaft bracket.

Calculation of Camshaft Journal Clearance

• (Journal clearance) = (inner diameter of camshaft bracket) – (outer diameter of camshaft journal)

Standard : 0.045 - 0.086 mm (0.0018 - 0.0034 in)

• When out of the specified range above, replace either or both the camshaft and the cylinder head assembly.

NOTE: Inner diameter of the camshaft bracket is manufactured together with the cylinder head. If the camshaft bracket is out of specification, replace the whole cylinder head assembly.

Camshaft End Play

1. Install a dial gauge in the thrust direction on the front end of the camshaft. Measure the end play with the dial gauge while moving the camshaft forward and backward (in direction to axis).

2. If out of the specified range, replace with new camshaft and measure again.

3. If out of the specified range again, replace with new cylinder head assembly.

Camshaft Sprocket Runout

1. Install the camshaft in the cylinder head.

2. Install the camshaft sprocket on the camshaft.

3. Measure camshaft sprocket runout while turning the camshaft by hand.

Runout : Less than 0.15 mm (0.0059 in)

4. If it exceeds the specification, replace camshaft sprocket.

Valve Lifter

• Check if the surface of the valve lifter has any excessive wear or cracks, replace as necessary.

Valve Lifter Clearance

Outer Diameter of Valve Lifter

• Measure the outer diameter of the valve lifter.

Valve lifter outer diameter : 33.977- 33.987 mm (1.3377 - 1.3381 in)

• If out of the specified range, replace the valve lifter.

Valve Lifter Bore Inner Diameter

• Using inside micrometer, measure diameter of valve lifter bore of cylinder head.

Standard : 34.000 - 34.021 mm (1.3386 - 1.3394 in)

• If out of the specified range, replace the cylinder head assembly.

Calculation of Valve Lifter Clearance

• (Valve lifter clearance) = (hole diameter for valve lifter) – (outer diameter of valve lifter)

Standard : 0.013 - 0.044 mm (0.0005 - 0.0017 in)

• If out of specified range, replace either or both valve lifter and cylinder head assembly.

INSTALLATION

1. Install the valve lifter.

• Install them in the same position from which they were removed.

2. Install the camshafts.

• The distinction between the intake and exhaust camshafts is in a difference of shapes of the back end: • A: Exhaust

• B: Intake Signal plate for the camshaft position sensor (PHASE)

• Install camshafts so that the dowel pins on the front side are positioned as shown.

3. Install camshaft brackets.

• Install by referring to identification mark on upper surface mark.

• Install so that identification mark can be correctly read when viewed from the exhaust side.

• Install No. 1 camshaft bracket as follows.

- Apply sealant to No.1 camshaft bracket as shown.

• Use Genuine Silicone RTV Sealant, or equivalent. Refer to GI-15, "Recommended Chemical Products and Sealants".

CAUTION: • After installation, be sure to wipe off any excessive sealant leaking from part (A) (both on right and left sides).

• Apply sealant to camshaft bracket contact surface on the front cover backside.

Dimension (A) : 3.9 mm (0.154 in)

• Apply sealant to the outside of bolt hole on front cover.

• Position the No.1 camshaft bracket near the mounting position, and install it without disturbing the sealant applied to the surfaces.

4. Tighten camshaft bracket bolts in four steps in the order as shown.

CAUTION: After tightening camshaft bracket bolts, be sure to wipe off excessive sealant from the parts listed below.

• Mating surface of front cover, when installed without the front cover.

5. Install camshaft sprockets.

• Install them by lining up the mating marks on each camshaft sprocket with the ones painted on the timing chain during removal.

• Before installation of chain tensioner, it is possible to re-match the marks on timing chain with the ones on each sprocket.

CAUTION: • Aligned mating marks could slip. Therefore, after matching them, hold the timing chain in place by hand.

• Before and after installing chain tensioner, check again to make sure that mating marks have not slipped.

6. Install chain tensioner.

CAUTION: • After installation, pull the stopper pin off completely, and make sure that the tensioner is fully released.

7. Install chain guide.

8. Install IVT control cover with the following procedure.

a. Install IVT control solenoid valve to intake valve timing control cover.

b. Install O-ring to front cover side.

c. Apply Genuine Silicone RTV Sealant to the positions as shown.

Refer to GI-15, "Recommended Chemical Products and Sealants".

Diameter (A) : 3.0 - 4.0 mm (0.118 - 0.157 in)

d. Install IVT control cover.

• Tighten the bolts in the numerical order as shown.

9. Check and adjust valve clearances. Refer to EM-49, "Valve Clearance".

10. Installation of the remaining components is in the reverse order as shown.

Inspection After Installation

Inspection of Camshaft Sprocket (INT) Oil Groove

WARNING: • Check when engine is cold so as to prevent burns from any splashing engine oil.

CAUTION: • Perform this inspection only when DTC P0011 is detected in self-diagnostic results of CONSULT III and it is directed according to inspection procedure of EC section. Refer to EC-152, "Diagnosis Procedure" (California), EC-681, "Diagnosis Procedure" (Except California).

1. Check engine oil level. Refer to LU-10, "Changing Engine Oil".

2. Perform the following procedure so as to prevent the engine from being unintentionally started while checking.

a. Release fuel pressure. Refer to EC-550, "Inspection" (California), EC-1038, "Inspection" (Except California).

b. Disconnect ignition coil and injector harness connectors if practical.

3. Support engine using a suitable hoist or jack.

4. Remove the RH engine mounting bracket, mounting insulator and support bracket. Refer to EM-72, "Removal and Installation".

5. Remove IVT control solenoid valve. Refer to EM-41.

6. Crank engine, and then make sure that engine oil comes out from IVT control cover oil hole. End cranking after checking.

WARNING: Be careful not to touch rotating parts (drive belts, idler pulley, and crankshaft pulley, etc.).

CAUTION: • Engine oil may squirt from IVT control solenoid valve installation hole during cranking. Use a shop cloth to prevent engine oil from splashing on worker, engine components and vehicle.

• Do not allow engine oil to get on rubber components such as drive belts or engine mount insulators. Immediately wipe off any splashed engine oil.

7. Clean oil groove between oil strainer and IVT control solenoid valve if engine oil does not come out from IVT control cover oil hole. Refer to LU-7, "Lubrication Circuit".

8. Remove components between IVT control solenoid valve and camshaft sprocket (INT), and then check each oil groove for clogging.

• Clean oil groove if necessary. Refer to LU-7, "Lubrication Circuit".

9. After inspection, installation of the remaining components is in the reverse order of removal.

Valve Clearance

Inspection

• Perform this inspection as follows after removal, installation, or replacement of the camshaft or any valverelated parts, or if there are any unusual engine conditions due to changes in valve clearance over time (starting, idling, and/or noise).

1. Warm up the engine, then stop it.

2. Remove front RH engine under cover using power tool.

3. Remove the rocker cover using power tool.

Refer to EM-39, "Removal and Installation".

4. Turn crankshaft pulley in normal direction (clockwise when viewed from front) to align TDC identification mark (without paint mark) with timing indicator.

5. At this time, check that the both intake and exhaust cam lobes of No. 1 cylinder face outside.

• If they do not face outside, turn crankshaft pulley once more.

6. Measure valve clearances with a feeler gauge at locations marked (X) in the table below.

• No.1 cylinder compression TDC.

• Use a feeler gauge to measure the clearance between valve and camshaft.

CAUTION: If inspection was carried out with cold engine, check that values with fully warmed up engine are still within specifications.

7. Turn crankshaft one complete revolution (360°) and align mark on crankshaft pulley with pointer.

8. Measure valve clearances with a feeler gauge at locations marked (X) in the table below.

• No.4 cylinder compression TDC.

• If out of specifications, make necessary adjustment.

ADJUSTMENT

• Perform adjustment depending on selected head thickness of valve lifter.

• The specified valve lifter thickness is the dimension at normal temperatures. Ignore dimensional differences caused by temperature. Use the specifications for hot engine condition to adjust.

1. Remove camshaft. Refer to EM-41, "Removal and Installation".

2. Remove the valve lifters at the locations that are outside the standard.

3. Measure the center thickness of the removed valve lifters with a micrometer.

4. Use the equation below to calculate valve lifter thickness for replacement.

• Valve lifter thickness calculation.

t = t1 + (C1 - C2) t = Thickness of replacement valve lifter.

t1 = Thickness of removed valve lifter.

C1 = Measured valve clearance.

C2 = Standard valve clearance.

• Thickness of a new valve lifter can be identified by stamp marks on the reverse side (inside the cylinder).

Stamp mark 696 indicates a thickness of 6.96 mm (0.2740 in) Available thickness of valve lifter: 26 sizes with a range of 7.88 to 8.38 mm (0.3102 to 0.3299 in), in steps of 0.02 mm (0.0008 in), when assembled at the factory.

5. Install the selected valve lifter.

6. Install camshaft.

7. Manually turn crankshaft pulley a few turns.

8. Check that valve clearances for cold engine are within specifications, by referring to the specified values.

9. After completing the repair, check valve clearances again with the specifications for warmed engine. Use a feeler gauge to measure the clearance between the valve and camshaft. Make sure the values are within specifications.

*: Approximately 80°C (176°F)