Method of Using Plastigage

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

Remove oil and dust on the crankshaft pin and the surfaces of each bearing completely.
Cut the Plastigage slightly shorter than the bearing width, and place it in crankshaft axial direction, avoiding oil holes.
Install the connecting rod bearings to the connecting rod cap, and tighten the connecting rod bolts to the specified torque.
CAUTION: Never rotate the crankshaft.
Remove the connecting rod cap and bearings, and using the scale on the Plastigage bag, measure the Plastigage width.
NOTE: The procedure when the measured value exceeds the limit is same as that described in the method by calculation.

Fig 1: Checking Connecting Rod Bearing Oil Clearance Using Plastigage
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.