Nissan Pathfinder (2009 year). Manual - part 378

CAMSHAFT

EM-81

< ON-VEHICLE REPAIR >

[VQ40DE]

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

A

EM

N

P

O

Removal and Installation

INFOID:0000000003939506

REMOVAL

1.

Remove front timing chain case, camshaft sprocket, timing chain and rear timing chain case. Refer to 

EM-

61, "Removal and Installation"

.

2.

Remove camshaft position sensor (PHASE) (right and left
banks) from cylinder head back side.

CAUTION:

• Handle carefully to avoid dropping and shocks.
• Do not disassemble.
• Do not allow metal powder to adhere to magnetic part at

sensor tip.

• Do not place sensors in a location where they are

exposed to magnetism.

3.

Remove IVT control solenoid valves.
• Discard IVT control solenoid valve gaskets and use new gas-

kets for installation.

4.

Remove camshaft brackets.
• Mark camshafts, camshaft brackets and bolts so they are placed in the same position and direction for

installation.

• Equally loosen camshaft bracket bolts in several steps in

reverse order as shown.

5.

Remove camshafts.

6.

Remove valve lifters.
• Identify installation positions, and store them without mixing them up.

KBIA1046E

WBIA0169E

PBIC2050E

2009 Pathfinder

EM-82

< ON-VEHICLE REPAIR >

[VQ40DE]

CAMSHAFT

7.

Remove timing chain tensioner (secondary) from cylinder head.
• Remove timing chain tensioner (secondary) with its stopper

pin attached.

NOTE:
Stopper pin was attached when timing chain (secondary) was
removed.

INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL

Camshaft Runout

1.

Put V-block on precise flat table, and support No. 2 and 4 journal
of camshaft.

CAUTION:

Do not support journal No. 1 (on the side of camshaft
sprocket) because it has a different diameter from the other
three locations.

2.

Set dial indicator vertically to No. 3 journal.

3.

Turn camshaft to one direction with hands, and measure the
camshaft runout on dial indicator. (Total indicator reading)

4.

If it exceeds the limit, replace camshaft.

Camshaft Cam Height

1.

Measure the camshaft cam height with micrometer.

2.

If wear exceeds the limit, replace camshaft.

Camshaft Journal Oil Clearance

CAMSHAFT JOURNAL DIAMETER

• Measure the outer diameter of camshaft journal with micrometer.

CAMSHAFT BRACKET INNER DIAMETER 

• Tighten camshaft bracket bolt with the specified torque. 

PBIC2111E

Standard

: Less than 0.02 mm (0.0008 in)

Limit

: 0.05 mm (0.0020 in)

PBIC0929E

Standard:

Intake

: 45.465 - 45.655 mm (1.7900 - 1.7974 in)

Exhaust

: 45.075 - 45.265 mm (1.7746 - 1.7821 in)

Limit:

Intake

: 45.265 mm (1.7821 in)

Exhaust

: 44.875 mm (1.7667 in)

EMQ0072D

Standard:

No. 1

: 25.935 - 25.955 mm (1.0211 - 1.0218 in)

No. 2, 3, 4

: 23.445 - 23.465 mm (0.9230 - 0.9238 in)

PBIC0040E

2009 Pathfinder

CAMSHAFT

EM-83

< ON-VEHICLE REPAIR >

[VQ40DE]

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

A

EM

N

P

O

• Measure the inner diameter “A” of camshaft bracket with bore

gauge.

CAMSHAFT JOURNAL OIL CLEARANCE

• (Oil clearance) = (Camshaft bracket inner diameter) – (Camshaft journal diameter).

• If the calculated value exceeds the limit, replace either or both camshaft and cylinder head.

NOTE:
Camshaft bracket cannot be replaced as a single part, because it is machined together with cylinder head.
Replace whole cylinder head assembly.

Camshaft End Play

• Install dial indicator in thrust direction on front end of camshaft.

Measure the end play of dial indicator when camshaft is moved for-
ward/backward (in direction to axis).

• Measure the following parts if out of the limit.
- Dimension “A” for camshaft No. 1 journal

- Dimension “B” for cylinder head No. 1 journal bearing

• Following the standards above, replace camshaft and/or cylinder

head.

Camshaft Sprocket Runout

1.

Put V-block on precise flat table, and support No. 2 and 4 journal of camshaft.

CAUTION:

Do not support journal No. 1 (on the side of camshaft sprocket) because it has a different diameter
from the other three locations.

Standard:

No. 1

: 26.000 - 26.021 mm (1.0236 - 1.0244 in)

No. 2, 3, 4

: 23.500 - 23.521 mm (0.9252 - 0.9260 in)

PBIC1645E

Standard:

No. 1

: 0.045 - 0.086 mm (0.0018 - 0.0034 in)

No. 2, 3, 4

: 0.035 - 0.076 mm (0.0014 - 0.0030 in)

Limit

: 0.15 mm (0.0059 in)

Standard

: 0.115 - 0.188 mm (0.0045 - 0.0074 in)

Limit

: 0.24 mm (0.0094 in)

SEM864E

Standard

: 27.500 - 27.548 mm (1.0827 - 1.0846 in)

Standard

: 27.360 - 27.385 mm (1.0772 - 1.0781 in)

KBIA2404J

2009 Pathfinder

EM-84

< ON-VEHICLE REPAIR >

[VQ40DE]

CAMSHAFT

2.

Measure the camshaft sprocket runout with dial indicator. (Total
indicator reading)

• If it exceeds the limit, replace camshaft sprocket.

Valve Lifter 

Check if surface of valve lifter has any wear or cracks.
• If anything above is found, replace valve lifter. Refer to 

EM-134,

"Standard and Limit"

.

Valve Lifter Clearance

VALVE LIFTER OUTER DIAMETER

• Measure the outer diameter at 1/2 height of valve lifter with

micrometer since valve lifter is in barrel shape.

VALVE LIFTER HOLE DIAMETER

• Measure the inner diameter of valve lifter hole of cylinder head with

inside micrometer.

VALVE LIFTER CLEARANCE

• (Valve lifter clearance) = (Valve lifter hole diameter) – (Valve lifter outer diameter), Refer to 

EM-18, "Valve

Clearance"

.

Limit

: 0.15 mm (0.0059 in)

PBIC0930E

KBIA0182E

Standard (Intake and exhaust)

: 33.977 - 33.987 mm (1.3377 - 1.3381 in)

JEM798G

Standard (Intake and exhaust)

: 34.000 - 34.016 mm (1.3386 - 1.3392 in)

SEM867E

Standard (Intake and exhaust)

: 0.013 - 0.039 mm (0.0005 - 0.0015 in)

2009 Pathfinder

CAMSHAFT

EM-85

< ON-VEHICLE REPAIR >

[VQ40DE]

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

A

EM

N

P

O

• If the calculated value is out of the standard, referring to each standard of valve lifter outer diameter and

valve lifter hole diameter, replace either or both valve lifter and cylinder head.

INSTALLATION

1.

Install timing chain tensioners (secondary) on both sides of cyl-
inder head.
• Install timing chain tensioner with its stopper pin attached. 
• Install timing chain tensioner with sliding part facing downward

on right-side cylinder head, and with sliding part facing upward
on left-side cylinder head.

• Install new O-rings as shown.

2.

Install valve lifters.
• Install it in the original position.

3.

Install camshafts.
• Install camshaft with dowel pin attached to its front end face on

the exhaust side.

• Follow your identification marks made during removal, or fol-

low the identification marks that are present on new camshafts
for proper placement and direction.

• Install camshaft so that dowel pin hole and dowel pin on front

end face are positioned as shown. (No. 1 cylinder TDC on its
compression stroke)
NOTE:
• Large and small pin holes are located on front end face of

camshaft (INT), at intervals of 180

°

. Face small dia. side pin

hole upward (in cylinder head upper face direction).

• Though camshaft does not stop at the portion as shown, for

the placement of cam nose, it is generally accepted cam-
shaft is placed for the same direction as shown.

PBIC2111E

KBIA1071E

Bank

INT/EXH

Dowel pin

Paint marks

Identification 

mark

M1

M2

RH

INT

No

Green

No

RE

EXH

Yes

No

White

RE

LH

INT

No

Green

No

LH

EXH

Yes

No

White

LH

KBIA1009E

PBIC2478E

2009 Pathfinder

EM-86

< ON-VEHICLE REPAIR >

[VQ40DE]

CAMSHAFT

4.

Install camshaft brackets.
• Remove foreign material completely from camshaft bracket

backside and from cylinder head installation face.

• Install camshaft bracket in original position and direction as

shown.

• Install camshaft brackets (No. 2 to 4) aligning the stamp marks

as shown.
NOTE:
There are no identification marks indicating left and right for
camshaft bracket (No. 1).

• Apply liquid gasket to mating surface of camshaft bracket (No.

1) as shown on right and left banks.
Use Genuine RTV Silicone Sealant or equivalent. Refer to

GI-26, "Recommended Chemical Products and Sealants"

.

PBIC2051E

PBIC2052E

PBIC2660E

2009 Pathfinder

CAMSHAFT

EM-87

< ON-VEHICLE REPAIR >

[VQ40DE]

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

A

EM

N

P

O

5.

Tighten camshaft bracket bolts in the following steps, in numeri-
cal order as shown.

6.

Measure the difference in levels between front end faces of
camshaft bracket (No. 1) and cylinder head. 

• Measure two positions (both intake and exhaust side) for a

single bank.

• If the measured value is out of the standard, re-install cam-

shaft bracket (No. 1).

7.

Check and adjust the valve clearance. Refer to 

EM-18, "Valve Clearance"

.

8.

Installation of the remaining components is in the reverse order of removal.

INSPECTION AFTER INSTALLATION

Inspection of Camshaft Sprocket (INT) Oil Groove

WARNING:

•

Check when engine is cold so as to prevent burns from any splashing engine oil.

CAUTION:

• Perform this inspection only when DTC P0011 or P0021 are detected in self-diagnostic results of

CONSULT-III and it is directed according to inspection procedure of EC section. Refer to 

EC-98,

"DTC Confirmation Procedure"

.

1.

Check the engine oil level. Refer to 

LU-8, "Inspection"

.

2.

Perform the following procedure so as to prevent the engine from being unintentionally started while
checking.

a.

Release fuel pressure. Refer to 

EC-484, "Fuel Pressure Check"

.

b.

Disconnect ignition coil and injector harness connectors.

3.

Remove intake valve timing control solenoid valve. Refer to 

EM-51, "Removal and Installation"

.

Camshaft bracket bolts

Step 1 (bolts 7 - 10)

: 1.96 N·m (0.2 kg-m, 17 in-lb)

Step 2 (bolts 1 - 6)

: 1.96 N·m (0.2 kg-m, 17 in-lb)

Step 3

: 5.88 N·m (0.6 kg-m, 52 in-lb)

Step 4

: 10.4 N·m (1.1 kg-m, 92 in-lb)

PBIC2050E

Standard

: –0.14 to 0.14 mm (–0.0055 to 0.0055 in) 

EMQ0044D

2009 Pathfinder

EM-88

< ON-VEHICLE REPAIR >

[VQ40DE]

CAMSHAFT

4.

Crank the engine, and then make sure that engine oil comes out
from camshaft bracket (No. 1) oil hole. End cranking after check-
ing.

WARNING:

• Be careful not to touch rotating parts (drive belts, idler

pulley, and crankshaft pulley, etc.).

CAUTION:

• Engine oil may squirt from intake valve timing control

solenoid valve installation hole during cranking. Use a
shop cloth to prevent the engine components and the
vehicle.

• Do not allow engine oil to get on rubber components such

as drive belt or engine mount insulators. Immediately wipe off any splashed engine oil.

• Clean oil groove between oil strainer and intake valve timing control solenoid valve if engine oil does not

come out from camshaft bracket (No. 1) oil hole. Refer to 

LU-7, "Lubrication Circuit"

, 

LU-7, "System Chart"

.

5.

Remove components between intake valve timing control solenoid valve and camshaft sprocket (INT),
and then check each oil groove for clogging.
• Clean oil groove if necessary. Refer to 

LU-7, "Lubrication Circuit"

, 

LU-7, "System Chart"

.

6.

After inspection, installation of the remaining components is in the reverse order of removal.

Inspection for Leaks

• Before starting the engine, check oil/fluid levels including engine coolant and engine oil. If the levels are

lower than required quantity, fill to the specified level. Refer to 

MA-12, "Fluids and Lubricants"

.

• Use procedure below to check for fuel leakage.
• Turn ignition switch ON (with engine stopped). With fuel pressure applied to the fuel piping, check for fuel

leakage at the connection points.

• Start engine. With engine speed increased, check again for fuel leakage at connection points.
• Run engine to check for unusual noise and vibration.

NOTE:
If hydraulic pressure inside timing chain tensioner drops after removal and installation, slack in the guide
may generate a pounding noise during and just after engine start. However, this is normal. Noise will stop
after hydraulic pressure rises.

• Warm up engine thoroughly to make sure there is no leakage of fuel, exhaust gas, or any oil/fluids including

engine oil and engine coolant.

• Bleed air from passages in lines and hoses, such as in cooling system.
• After cooling down the engine, again check oil/fluid levels including engine oil and engine coolant. Refill to

specified level if necessary.

• Summary of the inspection items:

* Transmission/transaxle/CVT fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, etc.

PBIC2869E

Item

Before starting engine

Engine running

After engine stopped

Engine coolant

Level

Leakage

Level

Engine oil

Level

Leakage

Level

Other oils and fluids*

Level

Leakage

Level

Fuel

Leakage

Leakage

Leakage

Exhaust gas

—

Leakage

—

2009 Pathfinder