Valve Clearance: Checking

Check valve clearance while engine is cold and not running. 

1. Remove engine cover.
2. Remove air duct with air cleaner case, collectors, hoses, harnesses, connectors and so on.
3. Remove upper intake manifold collector. Refer to UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD COLLECTOR .
4. Remove lower intake manifold collector.

   Refer to LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD COLLECTOR .

5. Remove ignition coils and spark plugs.
6. Remove RH and LH rocker covers.
7. Set No. 1 cylinder at TDC on its compression stroke.
   • Align pointer with TDC mark on crankshaft pulley.
   Fig 1: Aligning Pointer With TDC Mark On Crankshaft Pulley
   Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
   • Check that valve lifters on No. 1 cylinder are loose and valve lifters on No. 4 are tight.

     If not, turn crankshaft one revolution (360°) and align as above.

     Fig 2: Checking Valve Lifters

     Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
8. Check only those valves shown in the figure.
   Fig 3: Identifying Valves For Clearance Checking (1 Of 2)

   Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
   Fig 4: Identifying Valves For Clearance Checking (2 Of 2)

   Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
   • Using a feeler gauge, measure clearance between valve lifter and camshaft.
   • Record any valve clearance measurements which are out of specification. They will be used later to determine the required replacement valve lifter.

     Valve clearance for checking: 

     Cold 

     Intake 

     0.26 - 0.34 mm (0.010 - 0.013 in) 

     Exhaust 

     0.29 - 0.37 mm (0.011 - 0.015 in) 

     Hot* 

     Intake 

     0.304 - 0.416 mm (0.012 - 0.016 in) 

     Exhaust 

     0.308 - 0.432 mm (0.012 - 0.017 in) 

     *: Approximately 80°C (176°F) (Reference data) 

     Fig 5: Using Feeler Gauge Measure Clearance Between Valve Lifter And Camshaft

     Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
     Fig 6: Identifying Measuring Clearance Between Valve Lifter And Camshaft

     Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
9. Turn crankshaft 240° and align as above.
10. Set No. 3 cylinder at TDC on its compression stroke.
11. Check only those valves shown in the figure.
    Fig 7: Identifying Valves For Clearance Checking (1 Of 2)

    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
    Fig 8: Identifying Valves For Clearance Checking (2 Of 2)

    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
12. Turn crankshaft 240° and align as above.
13. Set No. 5 cylinder at TDC on its compression stroke.
14. Check only those valves shown in the figure.
    Fig 9: Identifying Valves For Clearance Checking (1 Of 2)

    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
    Fig 10: Identifying Valves For Clearance Checking (2 Of 2)

    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
15. If all valve clearances are within specification, install the following parts. If they are out of specification, adjust the valve clearances.
    • Intake manifold collectors
    • RH and LH rocker covers
    • All spark plugs
    • All ignition coils