Removal and Installation: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Nissan Armada. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Remove the power steering fluid reservoir tank bolts and position the power steering fluid reservoir tank aside.
Remove the (RH) bank and (LH) bank rocker covers. Refer to "REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ".
Remove the spark plugs. Refer to "REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ".
Remove the drive belt. Refer to "REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ".
Obtain compression TDC of No. 1 cylinder as follows:
1. Turn the crankshaft pulley clockwise to align the TDC identification notch (without paint mark) with the timing indicator on the front cover.
  
  Fig 1: Aligning TDC Identification Notch With Timing Indicator On Front Cover
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
2. At this time, make sure both intake and exhaust cam lobes of No. 1 cylinder (top front on LH bank) point outside.
  - If they do not point outside, turn crankshaft pulley once more.
    
    Fig 2: Identifying Intake And Exhaust Cam Lobes Position
    Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Disconnect and remove the camshaft position sensor. Refer to "EXPLODED VIEW ".
Disconnect and remove the intake valve timing control position sensor (RH and LH). Refer to "EXPLODED VIEW ".
Disconnect and remove the intake valve timing control solenoid valve (RH and LH). Refer to "EXPLODED VIEW ".
Remove the intake valve timing control solenoid cover RH bank (A) and intake valve timing control solenoid cover (LH) bank (B) as follows:
1. Loosen and remove the bolts in reverse order as shown below.
2. Cut the liquid gasket and remove the covers using Tool.
  Tool number: KV10111100 (J-37228)
  
  Fig 3: Identifying Intake Valve Timing Control Solenoid Valve Cover Mounting Bolts (With Tightening Sequence)
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
  
  CAUTION: Do not damage mating surfaces.
Paint alignment marks on the (RH) bank (A) timing chain links (C) and (LH) bank (B) timing chain links (D) and align with the camshaft sprocket alignment marks (E) and (F).

Fig 4: Identifying Timing Chain Links, Camshaft Sprocket Alignment Marks
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Remove the chain tensioner (LH) using the following steps.
WARNING: Plunger, spring, and spring seat pop out when squeezing return-proof clip without holding plunger head. It may cause serious injuries. Always hold plunger head when removing.
1. Squeeze return-proof clip ends using suitable tool and push the plunger into the tensioner body.
2. Secure plunger using stopper pin.
  - Stopper pin is made from hard wire approximately 1 mm (0.04 in) in diameter.
3. Remove the bolts and the timing chain tensioner.
  
  Fig 5: Removing Stopper Pin Using Plier
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
  NOTE:
  - Stop plunger in the fully extended position using return-proof clip (1) if stopper pin is removed.
  - Push the plunger (2) into the tensioner body while squeezing the return-proof clip (1). Secure it using stopper pin (3).
  Fig 6: Pushing Plunger Into Tensioner Body
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Remove the chain tensioner cover from the front cover using Tool.
Tool number: KV10111100 (J-37228)

Fig 7: Identifying Timing Chain Tensioner Cover
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

CAUTION: Do not damage mating surfaces.
Remove the chain tensioner (RH) using the following steps.
WARNING: Plunger, spring, and spring seat pop out when squeezing return-proof clip without holding plunger head. It may cause serious injuries. Always hold plunger head when removing.
1. Squeeze return-proof clip ends using suitable tool and push the plunger into the tensioner body.
2. Secure plunger using stopper pin.
  - Stopper pin is made from hard wire approximately 1 mm (0.04 in) in diameter.
    
    Fig 8: Removing Stopper Pin Using Plier
    Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
3. Remove the bolts and the chain tensioner (RH) (A).
  NOTE: If it is difficult to push plunger on chain tensioner (RH) (A), remove the plunger under extended condition.
  
  Fig 9: Removing Chain Tensioner Mounting Bolts
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Loosen camshaft sprocket bolts as shown below and remove camshaft sprockets.
CAUTION: To avoid interference between valves and pistons, do not turn crankshaft or camshaft with timing chain disconnected.

Fig 10: Locating Camshaft Sprocket Bolts And Tool
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Remove the (RH) (A) front cover bolts and (LH) (B) front cover bolts.

Fig 11: Locating Front Cover Mounting Bolts
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Remove (RH) (A) camshaft bracket bolts and (LH) (C) camshaft bracket bolts in the reverse of order shown below to remove camshaft brackets.
- Remove No. 1 camshaft bracket.
  NOTE: The bottom and front surface of bracket will be stuck because of liquid gasket.
  
  Fig 12: Identifying Camshaft Bracket Mounting Bolts (With Tightening Sequence)
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Remove the camshaft.
Remove the valve lifters if necessary.
- Correctly identify location where each part is removed from. Keep parts organized to avoid mixing them up.