Appendix C: Engine Replacement Tips
APPENDIX C: ENGINE REPLACEMENT TIPS^ This bulletin does not contain a step-by-step engine replacement procedure.
^ It only provides informational tips related to replacing an engine. It is recommended that you review these tips before replaceing the engine.
^ Please refer to the applicable Service Manual as your main source of information.
^ The following informational tips are included:
- Precautions
- Removal Tips
- Installation Tips
- Torque Specifications
- Special Tools
Precautions
^ Use suitable covers to protect exterior (fenders, grille, etc.) and interior (upholstery, carpet, etc.) when performing this procedure.
^ Make sure the parking brake is applied and the front and rear wheels are blocked to prevent vehicle movement.
^ Do NOT start work until the cooling and exhaust systems are cooled off.
^ Make sure the correct vehicle lift points are used when raising the vehicle. Also, make sure the vehicle is properly positioned (balanced) on the lift, considering that the engine will be removed.
^ Use a torque wrench when installing nuts and bots.
^ Refer to the Torque Charts in Appendix C and the applicable Service Manual for Torque Specifications when re-installing and tightening nuts and bolts.
^ Cover openings of any vehicle/engine systems that are disconnected/opened to keep out "foreign" material from getting in.
^ Carefully mark and arrange disassembled parts in an organized way for proper reinstallation.
^ Use care during disassmbly/re-assembly NOT to damage sliding or "mating" surfaces.
^ Make sure all sliding and mating surfaces are clean and free of debris before reassembly.
^ Make sure the new engine has the alignment dowels installed in the rear of the block. There should be two of them (located diagonal to each other).
^ For vehicles with Automatic Transmission; make sure the converter pilot is installed in the rear of the crankshaft.
^ Use special tools as needed. Refer to the Special Tools List in the Service Manual and Appendix C.
^ Always work safely and avoid using too much force.
Engine Removal Tips
Variable Valve Timing (VVT) Wire Harness Connector (Altima and Sentra)
^ Make sure the VVT Wire Harness Connector is disconnected before removing the engine (see Figure F1).
Crankshaft Position Sensor (Altima and Sentra)
^ Remove the Crankshaft Position Sensor before separating the engine and transmission. Do NOT damage the edge of the Crankshaft Position Sensor or the ring gear teeth. Pull the sensor straight out to help avoid damage (see Figure F2).
^ To release the wire harness connector, push IN on the release tab, then PULL the connector OFF.
Passenger Side Lower Motor Mount Bolt (Altima ONLY)
^ The Passenger Side Lower Motor Mount Bolt can be difficult to see. Before you remove the engine, remember to remove this bolt (see Figure F3).
Center Member (Sentra ONLY)
^ Remove the Center Member, but leave the Rear Engine Mount on the engine (see Figure F4).
Axle Shafts Removal (Altima and Sentra)
^ Be careful NOT to damage the oil seals in the transaxle when removing the axles. Support the axles properly and pull them straight out to help prevent damage.
Front Lower Control Arms (Altima and Sentra)
^ After disconnecting the Front Lower Control Arms from the vehicle underbody, tie them back. This will give clearance when you remove the engine.
Power Steering Hose Support Bracket Bolts (Altima ONLY)
^ Make sure to remove the Power Steering Hose Support Bracket Bolts before engine removal (see Figure F5).
Power Steering Pipe Clamps (Altima ONLY)
^ Remove the Power Steering Pipe Clamps on the engine cradle before removing the engine (see Figure F6).
Coolant Pipe (Alitma ONLY)
^ Disconnect the Coolant Hoses from the Metal Coolant Pipe, but leave the metal pipe on the engine (see Figure F7).
Torque Converter/Lower Bell Housing Bolts (Altima and Sentra)
^ Remove the Torque Converter and Lower Bell Housing Bolts before removing the engine. It's easier to do this before the engine is out of the vehicle (see Figure F8).
A/T Revolution Sensor Wire Harness Connectors (Altima and Sentra)
^ Make sure you mark the A/T Revolution Sensor Wire Harness Connectors for proper reinstallation (see Figure F9). If these connectors are "mixed up", improper transmission shifting can occur.
Top Rear Main Harness Support Bracket (Altima and Sentra)
^ Remove the bolt that secures the Top Rear Main Harness Support Bracket to the engine before engine removal (see Figure F10).
Wire Harness Support Bracket (Altima ONLY)
^ Remove one bolt to release the Wire Harness Support Bracket (see Figure F11).
Torx Sockets for Flywheel/Flex Plate to Crankshaft Bolts (Altima and Sentra)
^ Torx TP55 (J-46531): Use for M/T equipped vehicles.
NOTE:
Do NOT use a standard T55 Torx bit as it can break or strip-out.
^ Torx E20 Socket (J-45816): Use for A/T equipped vehicles.
NOTE:
Do NOT use a standard external Torx socket as it can round-off the bolt head.
IMPORTANT:
Do NOT use an air tool with the above noted Torx bit/socket.
Engine Installation Tips
Engine Block Alignment Dowels (Altima and Sentra)
^ Make sure the new engine has the alignment dowels installed in the rear of the block. There should be two of them (located diagonal to each other).
Torque Converter Pilot (A/T)
^ For vehicles with Automatic Transmission; make sure the Converter Pilot is installed in the rear of the crankshaft.
NOTE:
For Manual Transmission vehicles, if a Converter Pilot is already installed, it can be left in place.
Front Suspension Member "Engine Cradle" (Altima ONLY)
^ Install the front bolts securing the Front Suspension Member and allow the rear (of the suspension member) to hang down slightly. This will allow access for re-installation of the components in this area.
^ Vehicle must be on the ground when torquing all Suspension Member mounting nuts.
Torque Converter to Flex Plate Securing (Altima and Sentra)
^ Use a screwdriver to move the Torque Converter up or down to align the Torque Converter bolt holes with the Flex Plate bolt holes (see Figure F12).
^ Make sure the bolt "shoulder" is fully seated in the mounting hole.
Filling Coolant System - 50/50 Mixture (Altima and Sentra)
^ Use genuine Nissan engine coolant.
^ Use the Engine Coolant Refill Tool #J-45695 to ensure complete filling without air bubbles ("pockets") in the cooling system. Refer to NTB02-011 for additional tool use information.
^ For proper heater performance, it is IMPORTANT that the cooling system be filled with an accurate mixture of 50% coolant and 50% water and all air bubbles be purged from the system.
NOTE:
If needed, use engine coolant refractometer - special tool J-23688to confirm the correct coolant concentration. Refer to NTB03-098 for tool use information.
Torque Specifications
A/T and M/T Bell Housing Bolt Tightening Sequence (Altima and Sentra)
^ Tighten the bolts that secure the transmission bell housing to the engine in the sequence shown in Figure F13 above.
CAUTION:
^ The engine and transmission must be fully mated together before tightening the bolts.
^ Do NOT use the bolts to pull the engine and transmission together.
Torque Specifications (Altima and Sentra)
^ Refer to the above Illustrations for torque specifications. As needed; refer to the applicable Electronic Service Manual for other torque specifications.
Special Tools