Removal and Installation: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Nissan Altima. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Support the engine and transaxle assembly with suitable tools.
Remove RH splash shield.
Remove the upper and lower oil pan, and oil strainer. Refer to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
Remove generator. Refer to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
Remove engine cover.
Disconnect variable timing control solenoid harness connector.
Remove engine ground.
Remove the coolant overflow reservoir tank.
Position the RH engine compartment fuse and relay box aside.
Remove the RH engine mount and bracket. Refer to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
Remove the IVTC (intake valve timing control) cover.

Fig 1: View Of Intake Valve Timing Control Cover Loosening Sequence
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
1. Loosen bolts in the numerical order as shown.
2. Remove the cover with suitable tool to cut the sealant.
Pull chain guide between camshaft sprockets out through front cover.
Set the No. 1 cylinder at TDC on the compression stroke with the following procedure:
1. Rotate the crankshaft pulley clockwise and align the mating marks to the timing indicator on the front cover. See Figure.
2. At the same time, make sure that the mating marks on the camshaft sprockets are lined up as shown.
- If not lined up, rotate the crankshaft pulley one more turn to line up the mating marks to the positions as shown.
Fig 2: View Of Mating Marks
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Remove crankshaft pulley with the following procedure:
1. Hold the crankshaft pulley with a suitable tool, then loosen the crankshaft pulley mounting bolt, and pull the pulley out about 10 mm (0.39 in).
  
  Fig 3: Loosening Crankshaft Bolt
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
2. Attach a pulley puller in the M 6 (0.24 in diameter) thread hole on crankshaft pulley, and remove crankshaft pulley.
Fig 4: Removing Crankshaft Pulley
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Remove the front cover with the following procedure:
1. Loosen the mounting bolts in the reverse order shown in the figure, and remove them.
2. Remove the front cover.
  CAUTION:
  - Be careful not to damage the mounting surface.
If the front oil seal needs to be replaced, lift it out with a screw-driver to remove it.
Remove timing chain with the following procedure:
1. Push in the tensioner plunger. Insert a stopper pin into the hole on the tensioner body to hold the chain tensioner.
  - Use a wire of 0.5 mm (0.02 in) diameter as a stopper pin.
2. Remove the chain tensioner.
  
  Fig 6: View Of Stopper Pin
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
3. Secure hexagonal part of the camshaft with a wrench and loosen the camshaft sprocket mounting bolt and remove the camshaft sprocket for both camshafts.
  CAUTION:
  - Do not rotate the crankshaft or camshafts while the timing chain is removed. It can cause damage to the valve and piston.
Remove the chain slack guide, tension guide, timing chain, and oil pump drive spacer.
Remove the timing chain tensioner for the balancer unit with the following procedure:
1. Lift the tensioner lever up, and release the ratchet claw for installation.
2. Push tensioner sleeve in, and hold it.
3. Matching the hole on lever with the one on body, insert a stopper pin to secure tensioner sleeve.
4. Remove the timing chain tensioner for the balancer unit.
Remove timing chain for balancer unit and crankshaft sprocket.

Fig 7: Removing Timing Chain For Balancer Unit
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Loosen mounting bolts in reverse order shown in the figure, and remove balancer unit.
- Use Torx socket (size E14)
CAUTION:
- Do not disassemble balancer unit.
Fig 8: View Of Balancer Unit Torque Sequence
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.