Inspection After Removal
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2018 Nissan Titan XD. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
WARNING:
When using compressed air for cleaning, to avoid the risk of personal injury from flying debris and dirt:
- Do not exceed 207 kPa (2.111 kg/cm 2 , 30 psi).
- Wear appropriate eye protection and protective clothing including gloves.
CAUTION:
- Do not use abrasive pads such to clean the front cover, block stiffener plate, cylinder heads, or cylinder block surfaces. Only use pads that do not contain abrasive materials and thoroughly remove all debris after cleaning.
- Cap all oil, coolant, and fuel components to prevent fluids from contaminating the sealing surfaces on the front cover, block stiffener plate, cylinder heads, and cylinder block.
Inspection
- Inspect the front cover for cracks, leaks, or other damage. Inspect the oil and coolant passages for contamination or blockage.
- Damaged bolt holes in the front cover can be repaired or replace component as required.
- Replace the front cover if any damage is found that can not be repaired.
- Inspect the cylinder block.
- Inspect the cylinder heads.
Cleaning the Front Cover
- Use a brush to clean thread locking sealant from the bolt hole threads in the block stiffening plate, cylinder heads, and block.
- Use a brass or nylon brush to clean thread locking sealant from the front cover bolts.
- Drain all of the oil and coolant passages in the front cover.
- Use a nylon or brass brush and isopropyl alcohol to clean gasket residue from the sealing surfaces on the front cover.
- Be sure to clean the grooves and chamfers on the front cover. Do not submerge the front cover in a wash tank unless all plugs, valves, and gaskets have been removed.
- Dry with compressed air.
CAUTION:
- Do not brush in the same direction as the joints. This will remove critical form in place gasket material from the joint and can result in oil leaks.
- Use care on aluminum parts, such as the block stiffener plate and the cylinder heads, if removing form in place gasket material with a scraper. Failure to do so will result in component damage and oil leaks.
Cleaning the Block Stiffening Plate, Cylinder Head and Block.
- Clean the mating surface of the block stiffener plate, cylinder head, and block.
- Allow the block and block stiffener plate to drain excess oil. Use a dull tool to engage the anti-drain back valve in the block stiffener and drain the excess oil.
- Use a nylon or brass brush and contact cleaner to clean the gasket residue from the T-joint sealing surfaces on the block stiffener plate, cylinder heads, and block. Only brush across (perpendicular) the T-joint.
- A gasket scraper can be used instead of a brush to remove form in place gasket material. However, additional care must be used with aluminum surfaces so they are not damaged by the scraper.
- Dry the components with compressed air.