Valve Clearance: Inspection

In cases of removing/installing or replacing camshaft and valve related parts, or of unusual engine conditions due to changes in valve clearance (found malfunctions during stating, idling or causing noise), perform inspection as follows:

Fig 1: Identifying Cylinder Block

Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

1. Remove rocker covers (right and left banks). Refer to "REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ".
2. Measure the valve clearance as follows:
   1. Set No. 1 cylinder at TDC of its compression stroke.
      • Rotate crankshaft pulley clockwise to align timing mark (grooved line without color) with timing indicator.
        Fig 2: Aligning Timing Mark

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      • 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, rotate crankshaft one revolution (360°) and align as shown below.
        Fig 3: Aligning Crankshaft

        Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
   2. Use feeler gauge, measure the clearance between valve lifter and camshaft.
      Fig 4: Checking Clearance Between Valve Lifter And Camshaft

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      Valve clearance: 

      VALVE CLEARANCE REFERENCE CHART
      
      

      Unit: mm (in)
      	Cold	Hot(1) (reference data)
      Intake	0.26 - 0.34 (0.010 - 0.013)	0.304 - 0.416 (0.012 - 0.016)
      Exhaust	0.29 - 0.37 (0.011 - 0.015)	0.308 - 0.432 (0.012 - 0.017)
      (1) *: Approximately 80°C (176°F)

      • By referring to the figure, measure the valve clearances at locations marked "x" as shown below (locations indicated in the figure) with feeler gauge.
      • No. 1 cylinder at compression TDC
      VALVE CLEARANCES SPECIFICATIONS
      
      

      Measuring position (right bank)		No. 1 CYL.	No. 3 CYL.	No. 5 CYL.
      No. 1 cylinder at compression TDC	EXH		x
      	INT	x
      Measuring position (left bank)		No. 2 CYL.	No. 4 CYL.	No. 6 CYL.
      No. 1 cylinder at compression TDC	INT			x
      	EXH	x

      Fig 5: Identifying Marks For Measuring Valve Clearances

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   3. Rotate crankshaft by 240° clockwise (when viewed from engine front) to align No. 3 cylinder at TDC of its compression stroke.
      NOTE: Crankshaft pulley bolt flange has a stamped line every 60°. They can be used as a guide to rotation angle.
      Fig 6: Rotating Crankshaft Pulley Clockwise

      Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
      • By referring to the figure, measure the valve clearances at locations marked "x" as shown in the table below (locations indicated in the figure) with feeler gauge.
      • No. 3 cylinder at compression TDC
        VALVE CLEARANCES
        
        

        Measuring position (right bank)		No. 1 CYL.	No. 3 CYL.	No. 5 CYL.
        No. 3 cylinder at compression TDC	EXH			x
        	INT		x
        Measuring position (left bank)		No. 2 CYL.	No. 4 CYL.	No. 6 CYL.
        No. 3 cylinder at compression TDC	INT	x
        	EXH		x

        Fig 7: Measuring Valve Clearance At Locations Marked "X"

        Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
   4. Rotate crankshaft by 240° clockwise (when viewed from engine front) to align No. 5 cylinder at TDC of compression stroke.
      Fig 8: Rotating Crankshaft Clockwise

      Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
      • By referring to the figure, measure the valve clearances at locations marked "x" as shown in the table below (locations indicated in the figure) with feeler gauge.
      • No. 5 cylinder at compression TDC
        VALVE CLEARANCES
        
        

        Measuring position (right bank)		No. 1 CYL.	No. 3 CYL.	No. 5 CYL.
        No. 5 cylinder at compression TDC	EXH	x
        	INT			x
        Measuring position (left bank)		No. 2 CYL.	No. 4 CYL.	No. 6 CYL.
        No. 5 cylinder at compression TDC	INT		x
        	EXH			x

        Fig 9: Identifying Angle And Paint Mark

        Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
3. For the measured value out of the standard, perform adjustment. Refer to "ADJUSTMENT ".