Valve Clearance: Checking

• Perform inspection as follows after removal, installation or replacement of camshaft or valve related parts, or if there are unusual engine conditions regarding valve clearance.
Fig 1: Identifying 6 Cylinder Block
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

Check valve clearance while engine is cold and not running. 

1. Remove the air duct with air cleaner case, collectors, hoses, wires, harnesses, and connectors.
2. Remove the intake manifold collectors.
3. Remove the ignition coils and spark plugs.
4. Remove the rocker covers.
5. Set No. 1 cylinder at TDC on its compression stroke.
   • Align pointer with TDC mark on crankshaft pulley.
     Fig 2: Identifying Timing Indicator

     Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
   • Check that the valve lifters on No. 1 cylinder are loose and valve lifters on No. 4 are tight. If not, turn the crankshaft one full revolution (360°) and align as shown.
     Fig 3: Locating Camshaft Lobe

     Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
6. Check only the valves as shown.
   VALVE SPECIFICATION
   
   

   Crank Position	Valve No. 1	Valve No. 2	Valve No. 3	Valve No. 6
   No. 1 TDC	Intake	Exhaust	Exhaust	Intake

   Fig 4: Identifying Valve Position

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

     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) 

     Fig 5: Checking Clearance Between Valve Lifter And Camshaft

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

     Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
7. Turn crankshaft 240°.
8. Set No. 3 cylinder at TDC on its compression stroke.
9. Check only those valves as shown.
   VALVE SPECIFICATION
   
   

   Crank Position	Valve No. 2	Valve No. 3	Valve No. 4	Valve No. 5
   No. 3 TDC	Intake	Intake	Exhaust	Exhaust

   Fig 7: Identifying Valve Position At No. 3 Cylinder On TDC

   Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
10. Turn the crankshaft 240° and align as above.
11. Set No. 5 cylinder at TDC on its compression stroke.
12. Check only those valves as shown.
    VALVE SPECIFICATION
    
    

    Crank Position	Valve No. 1	Valve No. 4	Valve No. 5	Valve No. 6
    No. 5 TDC	Exhaust	Intake	Intake	Exhaust

    Fig 8: Identifying Valve Position At No. 5 Cylinder On TDC

    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
13. If all valve clearances are within specification, install the following components. If the valve clearances are out of specification, adjust the valve clearances.
    • Intake manifold collectors
    • Rocker covers
    • All spark plugs
    • All ignition coils