SQUEAK AND RATTLE TROUBLE DIAGNOSES
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Revision: 2004 November 2004 FX35/FX45
INSULATOR (Light foam block)
80845-71L00: 30 mm (1.18 in) thick, 30 × 50 mm (1.18 × 1.97 in)
FELT CLOTHTAPE
Used to insulate where movement does not occur. Ideal for instrument panel applications.
68370-4B000: 15 × 25 mm (0.59 × 0.98 in) pad/68239-13E00: 5 mm (0.20 in) wide tape roll The following
materials, not found in the kit, can also be used to repair squeaks and rattles.
UHMW(TEFLON) TAPE
Insulates where slight movement is present. Ideal for instrument panel applications.
SILICONE GREASE
Used in place of UHMW tape that will be visible or not fit.
Note: Will only last a few months.
SILICONE SPRAY
Use when grease cannot be applied.
DUCT TAPE
Use to eliminate movement.
CONFIRM THE REPAIR
Confirm that the cause of a noise is repaired by test driving the vehicle. Operate the vehicle under the same
conditions as when the noise originally occurred. Refer to the notes on the Diagnostic Worksheet.
Generic Squeak and Rattle TroubleshootingAIS00376
Refer to Table of Contents for specific component removal and installation information.
INSTRUMENT PANEL
Most incidents are caused by contact and movement between:
1. The cluster lid A and instrument panel
2. Acrylic lens and combination meter housing
3. Instrument panel to front pillar garnish
4. Instrument panel to windshield
5. Instrument panel mounting pins
6. Wiring harnesses behind the combination meter
7. A/C defroster duct and duct joint
These incidents can usually be located by tapping or moving the components to duplicate the noise or by
pressing on the components while driving to stop the noise. Most of these incidents can be repaired by apply-
ing felt cloth tape or silicon spray (in hard to reach areas). Urethane pads can be used to insulate wiring har-
ness.
CAUTION:
Do not use silicone spray to isolate a squeak or rattle. If you saturate the area with silicone, you will
not be able to recheck the repair.
CENTER CONSOLE
Components to pay attention to include:
1. Shifter assembly cover to finisher
2. A/C control unit and cluster lid C
3. Wiring harnesses behind audio and A/C control unit
The instrument panel repair and isolation procedures also apply to the center console.
DOORS
Pay attention to the:
1. Finisher and inner panel making a slapping noise
2. Inside handle escutcheon to door finisher
3. Wiring harnesses tapping
4. Door striker out of alignment causing a popping noise on starts and stops
Tapping or moving the components or pressing on them while driving to duplicate the conditions can isolate
many of these incidents. You can usually insulate the areas with felt cloth tape or insulator foam blocks from
the Nissan Squeak and Rattle Kit (J-43980) to repair the noise.
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SQUEAK AND RATTLE TROUBLE DIAGNOSES
Revision: 2004 November 2004 FX35/FX45
TRUNK
Trunk noises are often caused by a loose jack or loose items put into the trunk by the owner.
In addition look for:
1. Trunk lid dumpers out of adjustment
2. Trunk lid striker out of adjustment
3. The trunk lid torsion bars knocking together
4. A loose license plate or bracket
Most of these incidents can be repaired by adjusting, securing or insulating the item(s) or component(s) caus-
ing the noise.
SUNROOF/HEADLINING
Noises in the sunroof/headlining area can often be traced to one of the following:
1. Sunroof lid, rail, linkage or seals making a rattle or light knocking noise
2. Sunvisor shaft shaking in the holder
3. Front or rear windshield touching headlining and squeaking
Again, pressing on the components to stop the noise while duplicating the conditions can isolate most of these
incidents. Repairs usually consist of insulating with felt cloth tape.
SEATS
When isolating seat noise it's important to note the position the seat is in and the load placed on the seat when
the noise is present. These conditions should be duplicated when verifying and isolating the cause of the
noise.
Cause of seat noise include:
1. Headrest rods and holder
2. A squeak between the seat pad cushion and frame
3. The rear seatback lock and bracket
These noises can be isolated by moving or pressing on the suspected components while duplicating the con-
ditions under which the noise occurs. Most of these incidents can be repaired by repositioning the component
or applying urethane tape to the contact area.
UNDERHOOD
Some interior noise may be caused by components under the hood or on the engine wall. The noise is then
transmitted into the passenger compartment.
Causes of transmitted underhood noise include:
1. Any component mounted to the engine wall
2. Components that pass through the engine wall
3. Engine wall mounts and connectors
4. Loose radiator mounting pins
5. Hood bumpers out of adjustment
6. Hood striker out of adjustment
These noises can be difficult to isolate since they cannot be reached from the interior of the vehicle. The best
method is to secure, move or insulate one component at a time and test drive the vehicle. Also, engine RPM
or load can be changed to isolate the noise. Repairs can usually be made by moving, adjusting, securing, or
insulating the component causing the noise.
EM-6
[VQ35DE]
PRECAUTIONS
Revision: 2004 November 2004 FX35/FX45
When tightening nuts and bolts, as a basic rule, equally tighten in several different steps starting with the
ones in center, then ones on inside and outside diagonally in this order. If the order of tightening is speci-
fied, do exactly as specified.
Replace with new liquid gasket, packing, oil seal or O-ring.
Thoroughly wash, clean, and air-blow each part. Carefully check engine oil or engine coolant passages for
any restriction and blockage.
Avoid damaging sliding or mating surfaces. Completely remove foreign materials such as cloth lint or dust.
Before assembly, oil sliding surfaces well.
Release air within route when refilling after draining engine coolant.
Before starting engine, apply fuel pressure to fuel lines with turning ignition switch “ON” (with engine
stopped). Then make sure that there are no leaks at fuel line connections.
After repairing, start engine and increase engine speed to check engine coolant, fuel, engine oil and
exhaust systems for leakage.
Parts Requiring Angle TighteningABS005ZP
Use an angle wrench [SST: KV10112100 (BT8653-A)] for the final tightening of the following engine parts:
–Cylinder head bolts
–Main bearing cap bolts
–Connecting rod cap bolts
–Crankshaft pulley bolt (No angle wrench is required as the bolt flange is provided with notches for angle
tightening)
Do not use a torque value for final tightening.
The torque value for these parts are for a preliminary step.
Ensure thread and seat surfaces are clean and coated with engine oil.
Precautions for Liquid GasketABS005ZQ
REMOVAL OF LIQUID GASKET SEALING
After removing mounting bolts and nuts, separate the mating
surface using a seal cutter (SST) and remove old liquid gasket
sealing.
CAUTION:
Be careful not to damage the mating surfaces.
Tap seal cutter to insert it, and then slide it by tapping on the
side as shown in the figure.
In areas where seal cutter is difficult to use, use plastic hammer
to lightly tap the areas where the liquid gasket is applied.
CAUTION:
If for some unavoidable reason tool such as screwdriver is
used, be careful not to damage the mating surfaces.
LIQUID GASKET APPLICATION PROCEDURE
1. Using a scraper, remove old liquid gasket adhering to liquid gas-
ket application surface and the mating surface.
Remove liquid gasket completely from the groove of the liquid
gasket application surface, mounting bolts, and bolt holes.
2. Wipe liquid gasket application surface and the mating surface
with white gasoline (lighting and heating use) to remove adher-
ing moisture, grease and foreign materials.
PBIC0002E
PBIC0003E
EM-68
[VQ35DE]
TIMING CHAIN
Revision: 2004 November 2004 FX35/FX45
28. Remove internal chain guide, tension guide and slack guide.
NOTE:
Tension guide can be removed after removing timing chain (pri-
mary).
29. Remove timing chain (primary), tension guide and crankshaft sprocket.
CAUTION:
After removing timing chain, do not turn crankshaft and camshaft separately, or valves will strike
piston heads.
30. Remove timing chain (secondary) and camshaft sprockets as the following:
a. Attach a suitable stopper pin to right and left camshaft chain ten-
sioners (for secondary timing chains).
NOTE:
For removal and installation of secondary chain tensioner, refer
to EM-82, "
CAMSHAFT" . (Removing No. 1 camshaft bracket is
required.)
b. Remove intake and exhaust camshaft sprocket bolts.
Apply paint to timing chain and camshaft sprockets for align-
ment during installation.
Secure the hexagonal portion of camshaft using a wrench to
loosen mounting bolts.
c. Remove timing chain (secondary) together with camshaft sprockets.
Turn camshaft slightly to secure slackness of timing chain on timing chain tensioner (secondary) side.
PBIC2266E
SEM923G
KBIA1698J
EM-104
[VQ35DE]
CYLINDER HEAD
Revision: 2004 November 2004 FX35/FX45
5. Install the valves.
Larger diameter valves are for intake side.
6. Install valve spring (uneven pitch type).
Install smaller pitch end (paint mark) to cylinder head side
(valve spring seat side).
7. Install valve spring retainer.
8. Install valve collet.
Compress valve spring with valve spring compressor, attach-
ment and adapter (SST). Install valve collet with magnet
hand.
CAUTION:
When working, take care not to damage valve lifter holes.
Tap valve stem edge lightly with plastic hammer after installa-
tion to check its installed condition.
9. Install valve lifter.
10. Install spark plug tube.
Press-fit spark plug tube following procedure below.
a. Remove old liquid gasket adhering to cylinder-head mounting
hole.
b. Apply liquid gasket to area within approximately 12 mm (0.47 in)
from edge of spark plug tube press-fit side.
Use Genuine RTV Silicone Sealant or equivalent. Refer to
GI-48, "
RECOMMENDED CHEMICAL PRODUCTS AND
SEALANTS" .
c. Using a drift, press-fit spark plug tube so that its height “H” is as
specified in the figure.
CAUTION:
When press-fitting, take care not to deform spark plug tube.
After press-fitting, wipe off liquid gasket protruding onto cylinder-head upper face.
11. Install spark plug.
Inspection After DisassemblyABS004XA
VALVE DIMENSIONS
Check dimensions of each valve. For dimensions, refer to EM-
150, "Valve Dimensions" .
If dimensions are out of the standard, replace valve.
SEM085D
PBIC1803E
Standard press-fit height “H”:
: 38.55 - 38.65 mm (1.5177 - 1.5217 in)
KBIA1248E
SEM188A
CYLINDER BLOCK
EM-143
[VQ35DE]
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Revision: 2004 November 2004 FX35/FX45
If clearance cannot be adjusted within the standard, grind crankshaft pin and use undersized bearing.
Refer to EM-132, "
HOW TO SELECT CONNECTING ROD BEARING" .
Method of Using Plastigage
Remove engine oil and dust on crankshaft pin and the surfaces
of each bearing completely.
Cut a plastigage slightly shorter than bearing width, and place it
in crankshaft axial direction, avoiding oil holes.
Install connecting rod bearings to connecting rod and connect-
ing rod bearing cap, and tighten connecting rod bolts to the
specified torque. Refer to EM-126, "
ASSEMBLY" for the tighten-
ing procedure.
CAUTION:
Never rotate crankshaft.
Remove connecting rod cap and bearings, and using the scale
on the plastigage bag, measure the plastigage width.
NOTE:
The procedure when the measured value exceeds the limit is same as that described in the “Method by
Calculation”.
MAIN BEARING OIL CLEARANCE
Method by Calculation
Install main bearings to cylinder block and main bearing cap.
Measure the main bearing inner diameter with bearing cap bolt
tightened with main bearing beam to the specified torque. Refer
to EM-126, "
ASSEMBLY" for the tightening procedure.
(Oil clearance) = (Main bearing inner diameter) – (Crankshaft main
journal diameter)
If the measured value exceeds the limit, select main bearings
referring to the main bearing inner diameter and crankshaft jour-
nal outer diameter, so that the oil clearance satisfies the standard. Refer to EM-133, "
HOW TO SELECT
MAIN BEARING" .
Method of Using Plastigage
Remove engine oil and dust on crankshaft journal and the sur-
faces of each bearing completely.
Cut a plastigage slightly shorter than bearing width, and place it
in crankshaft axial direction, avoiding oil holes.
Install main bearing to cylinder block and main bearing cap, and
tighten main bearing bolts with main bearing beam to the speci-
fied torque. Refer to EM-126, "
ASSEMBLY" for the tightening
procedure.
CAUTION:
Never rotate crankshaft.
Remove bearing cap and bearings, and using the scale on the
plastigage bag, measure the plastigage width.
NOTE:
The procedure when the measured value exceeds the limit is same as that described in the “Method by
Calculation”.
PBIC1149E
Standard : 0.035 - 0.045 mm (0.0014 - 0.0018 in)
(actual clearance)
Limit : 0.065 mm (0.0026 in)
PBIC1644E
PBIC1149E
EM-160
[VK45DE]
PRECAUTIONS
Revision: 2004 November 2004 FX35/FX45
When tightening nuts and bolts, as a basic rule, equally tighten in several different steps starting with the
ones in center, then ones on inside and outside diagonally in this order. If the order of tightening is speci-
fied, do exactly as specified.
Replace with new gasket, packing, oil seal or O-ring.
Thoroughly wash, clean, and air-blow each part. Carefully check engine oil or engine coolant passages for
any restriction and blockage.
Avoid damaging sliding or mating surfaces. Completely remove foreign materials such as cloth lint or dust.
Before assembly, oil sliding surfaces well.
Release air within route when refilling after draining engine coolant.
After repairing, start engine and increase engine speed to check engine coolant, fuel, oil, and exhaust
systems for leakage.
Parts Requiring Angle TighteningABS006I0
Use angle wrench [SST: KV10112100 (BT8653-A)] for the final tightening of the following engine parts:
–Cylinder head bolts
–Main bearing cap bolts
–Connecting rod cap nuts
–Crankshaft pulley bolt (No angle wrench is required as the bolt flange is provided with notches for angle
tightening)
Do not use a torque value for final tightening.
The torque value for these parts are for a preliminary step.
Ensure thread and seat surfaces are clean and coated with engine oil.
Precautions for Liquid GasketABS006I1
REMOVAL OF LIQUID GASKET SEALING
After removing mounting bolts and nuts, separate the mating
surface using seal cutter (SST) and remove old liquid gasket
sealing.
CAUTION:
Be careful not to damage the mating surfaces.
In areas where seal cutter (SST) is difficult to use, use plastic
hammer to lightly tap the areas where liquid gasket is applied.
CAUTION:
If for some unavoidable reason tool such as a flat-blade
screwdriver is used, be careful not to damage the mating
surfaces.
LIQUID GASKET APPLICATION PROCEDURE
1. Using scraper, remove old liquid gasket adhering to the liquid
gasket application surface and the mating surface.
Remove liquid gasket completely from the groove of the liquid
gasket application surface, mounting bolts, and bolt holes.
2. Wipe the liquid gasket application surface and the mating sur-
face with white gasoline (lighting and heating use) to remove
adhering moisture, grease and foreign materials.
PBIC0002E
PBIC0003E
EM-200
[VK45DE]
TIMING CHAIN
Revision: 2004 November 2004 FX35/FX45
NOTE:
To remove timing chain and related parts, start with those on left bank. The procedure for removing parts
on right bank is omitted because it is the same as that for left bank.
a. Press tab in the direction of arrow (or turn lever in the direction
of arrow) to unlock the locking with the groove that stops ten-
sioner plunger from returning.
Lightly press tensioner plunger to release the tension of
spring for this operation.
b. Push in tensioner plunger to align the hole on lever and that on
pump main body.
Pushing in tensioner too far does not allow the holes to align.
Therefore, push in plunger to the degree at which the start of
stopper groove and tab engages.
c. Insert stopper pin [hard wire with approx. 0.5 mm (0.020 in)
diameter or similar tool] to fix plunger. With plunger fixed, remove chain tensioner.
17. Remove chain tension guide and timing chain slack guide.
18. Remove timing chain and crankshaft sprocket.
CAUTION:
After removing timing chain, do not turn crankshaft and camshaft separately, or valves will strike
the piston head.
19. With hexagonal part of camshaft locked with wrench, loosen
bolts securing camshaft sprocket to remove camshaft sprocket.
20. Perform same procedure as for left bank, remove timing chain and related parts on right side.
21. Use scraper to remove all traces of old liquid gasket from front cover and opposite mating surfaces.
Remove oil liquid gasket from bolt hole and thread.
22. Use scraper to remove all trace of liquid gasket from chain tensioner cover and intake valve timing control
covers.
PBIC2343E
PBIC0030E
PBIC2084E