Air Intake System - Overview

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.

Air Intake Connection

Once the intake air is cooled and exits the charge-air cooler, it then feeds through the air intake connection.

Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
The charge-air cooler outlet pressure/temperature sensor (1) is located on the air intake connection. Then, the EGR mixes in from the EGR bypass valve and EGR cooler.
Further upstream the intake manifold air temperature sensor (2) measures the intake charge temperature before entering the intake manifold.

Intake Manifold

The intake manifold (1) separates the intake flow to feed the bank 1 and bank 2 cylinders.

Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Glow Plug and Glow Control Unit

The glow plugs (1) are threaded into the cylinder head and heat the intake charge to facilitate engine starting in cold weather.

Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
The glow plugs are commanded by a remote mounted glow control unit.

Intake Air Flow Description

Air Cleaner

Air first flows through the air cleaner, where foreign material and debris are removed.

Air Inlet Connection and Low-Pressure Turbocharger

Air then flows through the air inlet connection to the low-pressure turbocharger compressor inlet. Air is compressed and goes to the high-pressure turbocharger for more pressure or bypasses the high-pressure turbocharger via the turbocharger compressor bypass valve. The intake charge is compressed to a level of pressure determined by the ECM. The ECM regulates the level of pressure in the intake system via the rotary turbine control valve and the turbocharger compressor bypass valve.

Charge-Air Cooler

After the air flows out of the turbocharger compressor outlet connection, it gets passed through a charge-air cooler to remove some of the heat generated by compressing the air. By lowering the temperature of the air, it's density is increased. The increased density of the air allows the engine to meet emissions levels while maintaining a higher level of performance.

Air Intake Connection Adapter, Air Intake Connection and Intake Manifold

From the outlet of the charge-air cooler, air flows into the air intake connection. From here, the intake air mixes with the EGR before flowing into the intake manifold, where the EGR and fresh air mixture is distributed to the cylinders.