Nissan Frontier. Manual - part 757

ENGINE ASSEMBLY

EM-217

< UNIT REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION >

[VQ40DE]

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• When lifting vehicle, ensure that the front and rear of the vehicle are well balanced.

CAUTION:

• Always be careful to work safely, avoid forceful or uninstructed operations.

• Do not start working until exhaust system and engine coolant are cooled sufficiently.

• If items or work required are not covered by the engine section, follow the procedures in the applica-

ble sections.

• Always use the support point specified for lifting.

• Use either 2-point lift type or separate type lift. If board-on type is used for unavoidable reasons,

support the rear axle jacking point with transmission jack or similar tool before starting work, in

preparation for the backward shift of center of gravity.

• For supporting points for lifting and jacking point at rear axle. Refer to 

GI-33, "Garage Jack and

Safety Stand"

.

NOTE:

When removing components such as hoses, tubes/lines, etc., cap or plug openings to prevent fluid from spill-

ing.

REMOVAL

Preparation

1. Remove engine under cover. Refer to 

EXT-15, "Removal and Installation"

.

2. Drain engine oil. Refer to 

LU-23, "Changing Engine Oil"

.

3. Remove engine oil filter.
4. Drain engine coolant. Refer to 

CO-40, "Changing Engine Coolant"

.

5. Release fuel pressure. Refer to 

EC-959, "Fuel Pressure Check"

.

6. Remove the engine hood. Refer to 

DLK-129, "Removal and Installation of Hood Assembly"

.

7. Disconnect the battery negative terminal. Refer to 

PG-83, "Removal and Installation"

.

8. Remove engine room cover using power tool. Refer to 

EM-140, "Removal and Installation"

.

9. Remove the air duct and resonator assembly and air cleaner case assembly. Refer to 

EM-141, "Removal

and Installation"

.

10. Disconnect brake booster vacuum hose between vehicle and engine and set it aside.
11. Remove front grille. Refer to 

EXT-23, "Removal and Installation"

.

12. Remove the radiator assembly and hoses. Refer to 

CO-44, "Removal and Installation"

.

13. Remove the drive belts. Refer to 

EM-129, "Removal and Installation"

. 

14. Remove the engine cooling fan and shroud. Refer to 

CO-47, "Removal and Installation (Crankshaft driven

type)"

.

15. Disconnect the engine room harness from the engine side and set it aside.
16. Disconnect the engine harness grounds.
17. Reposition the reservoir tank for power steering from engine compartment and move it aside.
18. Disconnect power steering oil pump from engine. Move it from its location and secure with a rope. Refer to

ST-18, "Removal and Installation"

. 

19. Remove the A/C compressor bolts and reposition the A/C compressor. Refer to 

HA-25, "Removal and

Installation for Compressor"

.

20. Disconnect EVAP line.
21. Disconnect the fuel hose at the engine side connection. Refer to 

EM-162, "Removal and Installation"

.

22. Disconnect the heater hoses at cowl.
23. Remove the A/T oil level indicator and indicator tube.
24. Remove front final drive assembly (4WD models). Refer to 

DLN-191, "Removal and Installation"

.

25. Remove three way catalyst. Refer to 

EM-147, "Removal and Installation (Three Way Catalyst)"

.

EM-218

< UNIT REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION >

[VQ40DE]

ENGINE ASSEMBLY

26. Install engine slingers into left bank and right bank.

27. Remove front frame crossmember.
28. Remove transmission. Refer to 

TM-72, "Removal and Installa-

tion from Vehicle (For 2WD Models)"

 (2WD M/T models) 

TM-74,

"Removal and Installation from Vehicle (For 4WD Models)"

(4WD M/T models), 

TM-308, "Removal and Installation for

VQ40DE 2WD Models"

 (2WD A/T models), 

TM-310, "Removal

and Installation for VQ40DE 4WD Models"

 (4WD A/T models).

29. Remove engine mounting insulator bracket (upper) with power

tool.

30. Lift with hoist and secure the engine in position.
31. Remove engine mount bracket bolts.
32. Remove engine assembly from vehicle, avoiding interference with vehicle body.

CAUTION:

• Before and during this lifting, always check if any harnesses are left connected.

INSTALLATION

Installation is in the reverse order of removal.

CAUTION:

• When replacing an engine or transmission you must make sure the dowels are installed correctly

during reassembly.

• Improper alignment caused by missing dowels may cause vibration, oil leaks or breakage of driv-

etrain components.

INSPECTION AFTER INSTALLATION

• Before starting engine, check oil/fluid levels including engine coolant and engine oil. If less than required

quantity, fill to the specified level. Refer to 

MA-16, "FOR USA AND CANADA : Fluids and Lubricants"

 (United

States and Canada). Refer to 

MA-18, "FOR MEXICO : Fluids and Lubricants"

 (Mexico).

• Use procedure below to check for fuel leakage.

• Turn ignition switch ON (with engine stopped). With fuel pressure applied to fuel piping, check for fuel leak-

age at 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 oils/fluids including

engine oil and engine coolant.

• Bleed air from passages in lines and hoses, such as in cooling system.

• After cooling down engine, again check oil/fluid levels including engine oil and engine coolant. Refill to spec-

ified level, if necessary.

• Summary of the inspection items:

*Power steering fluid, brake fluid, etc.

Engine slinger torque:

28.0 N·m (2.9 kg-m, 21 ft-lb)

WBIA0624E

Item

Before starting engine

Engine running

After engine stopped

Engine coolant

Level

Leakage

Level

Engine oil

Level

Leakage

Level

Transmission/
transaxle fluid 

A/T and CVT Models

Leakage

Level/Leakage

Leakage

M/T Models

Level/Leakage

Leakage

Level/Leakage

Other oils and fluids*

Level

Leakage

Level

Fuel

Leakage

Leakage

Leakage

Exhaust gas

—

Leakage

—

ENGINE UNIT

EM-219

< UNIT DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY >

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UNIT DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY

ENGINE UNIT

Exploded View

INFOID:0000000009478148

1.

Reinforcement plate

2.

Drive plate (A/T models), Flywheel 
(M/T models)

3.

Rear oil seal

4.

Sub harness

5.

Knock sensor

6.

Water connector

7.

Cylinder block

8.

Oil jet

9.

Thrust bearing

10. Pilot converter (A/T models)

11. Main bearing

12. Crankshaft

13. Crankshaft key

14. Lower cylinder block

15. Lower cylinder block bolt

16. Connecting rod bolt

17. Connecting rod bearing cap

18. Connecting rod bearing

19. Connecting rod

20. Snap ring

21. Piston pin

22. Piston

23. Oil ring

24. Second ring

25. Top ring

WBIA0582E

EM-220

< UNIT DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY >

[VQ40DE]

ENGINE UNIT

Disassembly and Assembly

INFOID:0000000009478149

DISASSEMBLY

NOTE:

The following procedures explain how to disassemble the engine with the engine stand fastened to the bell

housing.
1. Remove the engine and the transmission assembly from the vehicle, and separate the transmission

assembly from the engine. Refer to 

EM-216, "Removal and Installation"

.

2. Remove both exhaust manifolds. Refer to 

EM-148, "Removal and Installation (Exhaust Manifold)"

.

3. Remove the parts that may restrict installation of engine to engine stand.
a. Remove clutch cover and clutch disc (M/T models). Refer to 

CL-22, "6M/T : Removal and Installation"

.

b. Remove flywheel (M/T models) or drive plate (A/T models).

• Holding crankshaft pulley bolts, lock crankshaft to remove flywheel or drive plate bolts.

• Loosen bolts diagonally.

CAUTION:

• Be careful not to damage or scratch drive plate (A/T

models) or contact surface for clutch disc of flywheel

(M/T models). Especially avoid deforming and damaging

of signal plate teeth.

• Do not disassemble drive plate.

• Place the drive plate with signal plate surface facing

upward.

• Keep magnetic materials away from signal plate.

1.

Cylinder block

2.

Gasket

3.

Cylinder block heater

4.

Connector protector cap

PBIC2936E

KBIA2491E