Nissan Pathfinder: Engine Mechanical - Vq35dd

Nissan Pathfinder (R53) 2022-2025 Service Manual / Engine :: Engine Mechanical / Vq35dd

Precautions ➤ Nissan Pathfinder 2025

Preparation ➤ Nissan Pathfinder R53

System Description. Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (nvh) Troubleshooting Nissan Pathfinder Fifth generation

NVH Troubleshooting - Engine Noise

1.	Camshaft bearing noise	2.	Piston pin noise	3.	Piston slap noise
4.	Main bearing noise	5.	Connecting rod bearing noise	6.	Water pump noise
7.	Timing chain and chain tensioner noise	8.	Drive belt noise (Sticking/Slipping)	9.	Tappet noise
A.	Valve	B.	Valve mechanism	C.	Rotation mechanism
D.	Drive belt	E.	Timing chain

Use the Chart Below to Help You Find the Cause of the Symptom

Locate the area where noise occurs.
Confirm the type of noise.
Specify the operating condition of engine.
Check specified noise source. Repair or replace the identified part as necessary.

Location of noise	Type of noise	Operating condition of engine						Source of noise	Check item	Reference page
Location of noise	Type of noise	Before warm-up	After warm-up	When starting	When idling	When racing	While driving	Source of noise	Check item	Reference page
Top of engine Rocker cover Cylinder head	Ticking or clicking	C	A	—	A	B	—	Tappet noise	Valve clearance	Valve Clearance
Top of engine Rocker cover Cylinder head	Rattle	C	A	—	A	B	C	Camshaft bearing noise	Camshaft journal clearance Camshaft runout	Removal and Installation
Crankshaft pulley Cylinder block (Side of engine) Oil pan	Slap or knock	—	A	—	B	B	—	Piston pin noise	Piston and piston pin clearance Connecting rod bushing clearance	Inspection
	Slap or rap	A	—	—	B	B	A	Piston slap noise	Piston-to-bore clearance Piston ring side clearance Piston ring end gap Connecting rod bend and torsion	Inspection
	Knock	A	B	C	B	B	B	Connecting rod bearing noise	Connecting rod bushing clearance (Small end) Connecting rod bearing clearance (Big end)	Inspection
	Knock	A	B	—	A	B	C	Main bearing noise	Main bearing oil clearance Crankshaft runout	Inspection
Front of engine Timing chain cover	Tapping or ticking	A	A	—	B	B	B	Timing chain and chain tensioner noise	Timing chain cracks and wear Timing chain tensioner operation	Removal and Installation
Front of engine	Squeaking or fizzing	A	B	—	B	—	C	Drive belts (Sticking or slipping)	Drive belts deflection	Checking Drive Belt
	Creaking	A	B	A	B	A	B	Drive belts (Slipping)	Idler pulley bearing operation	Checking Drive Belt
	Squall Creak	A	B	—	B	A	B	Water pump noise	Water pump operation	Removal and Installation

A: Closely related B: Related C: Sometimes related —: Not related

Unit Removal and Installation. Engine Assembly ➤ Nissan Pathfinder 5th Gen

Unit Disassembly and Assembly. Cylinder Block ➤ Nissan Pathfinder 2022

Service Data and Specifications (SDS) Nissan Pathfinder

General Specification

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

Cylinder arrangement				V-6
Displacement cm³ (cu in)				3,498 (213.45)
Bore and stroke mm (in)				96 x 81 (3.78 x 3.19)
Valve arrangement				DOHC
Firing order				1-2-3-4-5-6
Number of piston rings		Compression		2
		Oil		1
Number of main bearings				4
Compression ratio				11.0:1
Compression pressure kPa (kg/cm², psi)/300 rpm		Standard		1,275 (13.0, 185)
		Minimum		981 (10.0, 142)
		Differential limit between cylinders		98 (1.0, 14)
Cylinder number
Valve timing (Valve timing control - “OFF”) : Intake valve : Exhaust valve (A): TDC (E): BDC
Unit: degree
B	C	D	F	G	H
3	256	90	73	240	-30

Drive Belt

DRIVE BELT

Tension of drive belt

Belt tension is not manually adjustable, as it is automatically adjusted by drive belt auto-tensioner.

Spark Plug

SPARK PLUG

Unit: mm (in)

Make		DENSO
Standard type*		FXE22HR11
Gap	Standard	1.1 (0.043)

*: Always check with the Parts Department for the latest parts information.

Intake Manifold

INTAKE MANIFOLD

Unit: mm (in)

Items		Limit
Surface distortion	Intake manifold	0.1 (0.004)

Exhaust Manifold

EXHAUST MANIFOLD

Unit: mm (in)

Items		Limit
Surface distortion	Exhaust manifold	0.3 (0.012)

Camshaft

CAMSHAFT

Unit: mm (in)

Items		Standard	Limit
Camshaft journal oil clearance	No. 1	0.045 - 0.086 (0.0018 - 0.0034)	0.15 (0.0059)
	No. 2, 3, 4	0.035 - 0.076 (0.0014 - 0.0030)
Camshaft bracket inner diameter	No. 1	26.000 - 26.021 (1.0236 - 1.0244)	—
	No. 2, 3, 4	23.500 - 23.521 (0.9252 - 0.9260)	—
Camshaft journal diameter	No. 1	25.935 - 25.955 (1.0211 - 1.0218)	—
	No. 2, 3, 4	23.445 - 23.465 (0.9230 - 0.9238)	—
Camshaft end play		0.115 - 0.188 (0.0045 - 0.0074)	0.24 (0.0094)
Camshaft lobe height “A”	Intake	45.665 - 45.855 (1.7978 - 1.8053)	0.2 (0.008)*¹
	Exhaust	45.875 - 46.065 (1.8061 - 1.8136)	0.2 (0.008)*¹
Camshaft runout [TIR*²]		Less than 0.02 (0.0008)	0.05 (0.0020)
Camshaft sprocket runout [TIR*²]		Less than 0.15 (0.0059)	—

*¹: Cam wear limit

*²: Total indicator reading

VALVE LIFTER

Unit: mm (in)

Items	Standard
Valve lifter outer diameter	33.977 - 33.987 (1.3377 - 1.3381)
Valve lifter bore diameter	34.000 - 34.016 (1.3386 - 1.3392)
Valve lifter clearance	0.013 - 0.039 (0.0005 - 0.0015)

VALVE CLEARANCE

Unit: mm (in)

Items	Cold	Hot* (reference data)
Intake	0.26 - 0.34 (0.010 - 0.013)	0.304 - 0.416 (0.012 - 0.016)
Exhaust	0.29 - 0.37 (0.011 - 0.015)	0.308 - 0.432 (0.012 - 0.017)

*: Approximately 80°C (176°F)

AVAILABLE VALVE LIFTER

Unit: mm (in)

Identification mark (A)*	Thickness (B)

300	3.00 (0.1181)
302	3.02 (0.1188)
304	3.04 (0.1196)
306	3.06 (0.1204)
308	3.08 (0.1212)
310	3.10 (0.1220)
312	3.12 (0.1228)
314	3.14 (0.1236)
316	3.16 (0.1244)
318	3.18 (0.1251)
320	3.20 (0.1259)
322	3.22 (0.1267)
324	3.24 (0.1275)
326	3.26 (0.1283)
328	3.28 (0.1291)
330	3.30 (0.1299)
332	3.32 (0.1307)
334	3.34 (0.1314)
336	3.36 (0.1322)
338	3.38 (0.1330)
340	3.40 (0.1338)
342	3.42 (0.1346)
344	3.44 (0.1354)
346	3.46 (0.1362)
348	3.48 (0.1370)
350	3.50 (0.1377)

*: Always check with the Parts Department for the latest parts information.

Cylinder Head

CYLINDER HEAD

Unit: mm (in)

Items	Standard	Limit
Head surface distortion	Less than 0.03 (0.0012)	0.1 (0.004)
Normal cylinder head height (H)	126.3 - 126.5 (4.97 - 4.98)	—
Spark plug tube installation height	38.2 +0.9/- 0.5 (1.5 +0.035 / -0.020)	—

VALVE DIMENSIONS

Unit: mm (in)


Valve head diameter (C)	Intake	37.1 - 37.3 (1.4606 - 1.4685)
	Exhaust	30.35 - 30.65 (1.1949 - 1.2067)
Valve length (D)	Intake	102.49 (4.0350)
	Exhaust	100.1 (3.9409)
Valve stem diameter (E)	Intake	5.965 - 5.980 (0.2348 - 0.2354)
	Exhaust	5.955 - 5.970 (0.2344 - 0.2350)
Valve seat angle (B)	Intake	45°15′ - 45°45′
	Exhaust
Valve margin (A)	Intake	1.15 - 1.45 (0.0453 - 0.0571)
	Exhaust	1.41 - 1.71 (0.0555 - 0.0673)
Valve margin (A) limit		More than 0.5 (0.0197)
Valve stem end surface grinding limit		Less than 0.2 (0.0079)

VALVE OIL SEAL

Unit: mm (in)

Items		Standard

Height (H) (without valve spring installed)		14.300 - 14.900 (0.5630 - 0.5870)

(A) : Suitable tool

VALVE GUIDE

Unit: mm (in)


Items		Standard	Oversize (Service) [0.2 (0.008)]
Valve guide	Outer diameter	10.023 - 10.034 (0.3946 - 0.3950)	10.223 - 10.234 (0.4025 - 0.4029)
	Inner diameter (Finished size)	6.000 - 6.018 (0.2362 - 0.2369)
Cylinder head valve guide hole diameter		9.975 - 9.996 (0.3927 - 0.3935)	10.175 - 10.196 (0.4006 - 0.4014)
Interference fit of valve guide		0.027 - 0.059 (0.0011 - 0.0023)
Items		Standard	Limit
Valve guide clearance	Intake	0.020 - 0.053 (0.0008 - 0.0021)	0.08 (0.0031)
	Exhaust	0.040 - 0.073 (0.0016 - 0.0029)	0.01 (0.004)
Valve deflection	Intake	—	0.24 (0.0094)
	Exhaust	—	0.28 (0.0110)
Projection length (L)		12.6 - 12.8 (0.496 - 0.504)

VALVE SEAT

Unit: mm (in)

Items		Standard	Oversize (Service) [0.5 (0.02)]

Cylinder head seat recess diameter (J)	Intake	38.000 - 38.016 (1.4961 - 1.4967)	38.500 - 38.516 (1.5157 - 1.5164)
Cylinder head seat recess diameter (J)	Exhaust	31.600 - 31.616 (1.2441 - 1.2447)	32.100 - 32.116 (1.2638 - 1.2644)
Valve seat outer diameter (D)	Intake	38.097 - 38.113 (1.4999 - 1.5005)	38.597 - 38.613 (1.5196 - 1.5202)
Valve seat outer diameter (D)	Exhaust	31.708 - 31.724 (1.2483 - 1.2490)	32.208 - 32.224 (1.2680 - 1.2687)
Valve seat interference fit	Intake	0.081 - 0.113 (0.0032 - 0.0044)
Valve seat interference fit	Exhaust	0.064 - 0.096 (0.0025 - 0.0038)
Diameter (F)*¹	Intake	34.6 (1.362)
Diameter (F)*¹	Exhaust	27.98 (1.102)
Diameter (E)*²	Intake	35.9 - 36.4 (1.413 - 1.433)
Diameter (E)*²	Exhaust	29.55 - 30.05 (1.1634 - 1.1831)
Angle (K)	Intake	30°
Angle (K)	Exhaust	30°
Angle (H)	Intake	45°
Angle (H)	Exhaust	45°
Angle (G)	Intake	60°
Angle (G)	Exhaust	60°
Contacting width (C)*³	Intake	1.0 - 1.4 (0.0394 - 0.0551)
Contacting width (C)*³	Exhaust	1.2 - 1.6 (0.0472 - 0.0630)
Valve seat height (B)	Intake	6.2 - 6.3 (0.2441 - 0.2480)	5.0 - 5.1 (0.197 - 0.201)
Valve seat height (B)	Exhaust	5.9 - 6.0 (0.232 - 0.236)	4.9 - 5.0 (0.193 - 0.197)
Cylinder head seat recess depth (A)		6.3 (0.2480)

*¹: Diameter made by intersection point of conic angles “K” and “H”

*²: Diameter made by intersection point of conic angles “H” and “G”

*³: Machining data

VALVE SPRING

Items	Standard
Free height	48.51 mm (1.9098 in)
Installation height	38.66 mm (1.5220 in)
Installation load	166 - 188 N (16.9 - 19.2 kg, 37 - 42 lb)
Height during valve open	28.66 mm (1.1283 in)
Load with valve open	384 - 432 N (39.2 - 44.1 kg, 86.3 - 97.1 lb)

Unit: mm (in)

Items	Limit
Squareness	1.7 (0.067)

Cylinder Block

CYLINDER BLOCK

Unit: mm (in)


Surface distortion		Standard		Less than 0.03 (0.0012)
		Limit		0.10 (0.0039)
Main bearing housing inner diameter		Standard		63.993 - 64.017 (2.5194 - 2.5203)
Cylinder bore	Inner diameter	Standard*	Grade No. 1	95.500 - 95.510 (3.7598 - 3.7602)
			Grade No. 2	95.510 - 95.520 (3.7602 - 3.7606)
			Grade No. 3	95.520 - 95.530 (3.7606 - 3.7610)
		Wear limit		0.20 (0.0079)
Out-of-round [Difference between (B) and (A)]		Limit		0.015 (0.0006)
Taper [Difference between (C) and (E)]				0.010 (0.0004)
Main bearing housing inner diameter grade (Without bearing)*			Grade No. A Grade No. B Grade No. C Grade No. D Grade No. E Grade No. F Grade No. G Grade No. H Grade No. J Grade No. K Grade No. L Grade No. M Grade No. N Grade No. P Grade No. R Grade No. S Grade No. T Grade No. U Grade No. V Grade No. W Grade No. X Grade No. Y Grade No. 4 Grade No. 7	63.993 - 63.994 (2.5194 - 2.5194) 63.994 - 63.995 (2.5194 - 2.5195) 63.995 - 63.996 (2.5195 - 2.5195) 63.996 - 63.997 (2.5195 - 2.5196) 63.997 - 63.998 (2.5196 - 2.5196) 63.998 - 63.999 (2.5196 - 2.5196) 63.999 - 64.000 (2.5196 - 2.5197) 64.000 - 64.001 (2.5197 - 2.5197) 64.001 - 64.002 (2.5197 - 2.5198) 64.002 - 64.003 (2.5198 - 2.5198) 64.003 - 64.004 (2.5198 - 2.5198) 64.004 - 64.005 (2.5198 - 2.5199) 64.005 - 64.006 (2.5199 - 2.5199) 64.006 - 64.007 (2.5199 - 2.5200) 64.007 - 64.008 (2.5200 - 2.5200) 64.008 - 64.009 (2.5200 - 2.5200) 64.009 - 64.010 (2.5200 - 2.5201) 64.010 - 64.011 (2.5201 - 2.5201) 64.011 - 64.012 (2.5201 - 2.5202) 64.012 - 64.013 (2.5202 - 2.5202) 64.013 - 64.014 (2.5202 - 2.5202) 64.014 - 64.015 (2.5202 - 2.5203) 64.015 - 64.016 (2.5203 - 2.5203) 64.016 - 64.017 (2.5203 - 2.5203)
Difference in inner diameter between cylinders		Standard		Less than 0.03 (0.0012)

(F) : 120 mm (4.72 in)

(G) : 60 mm (2.36 in)

(H) : 10 mm (0.39 in)

(*) : Always check with the Parts Department for the latest parts information.

AVAILABLE PISTON

Unit: mm (in)


Items	Grade*	Standard
Piston skirt diameter (A)	Grade No. 1	95.470 - 95.480 (3.7587 - 3.7590)
	Grade No. 2	95.480 - 95.490 (3.7590 - 3.7594)
	Grade No. 3	95.490 - 95.500 (3.7594 - 3.7598)
(a) dimension		38.0 (1.496)
Piston pin hole diameter		21.995 - 21.999 (0.8659 - 0.8661)
Piston to cylinder bore clearance		0.020 - 0.040 (0.0008 - 0.0016)

*: Always check with the Parts Department for the latest parts information.

PISTON RING

Unit: mm (in)

Items		Standard	Limit
Side clearance	Top	0.045 - 0.080 (0.0018 - 0.0031)	0.11 (0.0043)
	2nd	0.030 - 0.070 (0.0012 - 0.0028)	0.1 (0.004)
	Oil ring	0.045 - 0.125 (0.0018 - 0.0049)	—
End gap	Top	0.24 - 0.29 (0.0094 - 0.0114)	0.51 (0.0201)
	2nd	0.33 - 0.43 (0.0130 - 0.0169)	0.62 (0.0244)
	Oil (rail ring)	0.20 - 0.45 (0.0079 - 0.0177)	0.80 (0.0315)

PISTON PIN

Unit: mm (in)

Items	Standard	Limit
Piston pin outer diameter	21.989 - 21.993 (0.8657 - 0.8659)	—
Piston to piston pin oil clearance	0.002 - 0.010 (0.0001 - 0.0004)	—
Connecting rod bushing oil clearance	0.005 - 0.017 (0.0002 - 0.0007)	0.030 (0.0012)

CONNECTING ROD

Unit: mm (in)

Items	Standard	Limit
Center distance	144.15 - 144.25 (5.68 - 5.68)	—
Bend [per 100 (3.94)]	—	0.15 (0.0059)
Torsion [per 100 (3.94)]	—	0.30 (0.0118)
Connecting rod small end inner diameter	23.980 - 24.000 (0.9441 - (0.9449)
Connecting rod bushing inner diameter¹	22.000 - 22.012 (0.8661 - 0.8666)	—
Connecting rod big end diameter (Without bearing)	55.000 - 55.013 (2.1654 - 2.1659)	—
Side clearance	0.20 - 0.35 (0.0079 - 0.0138)	0.40 (0.0157)

¹: After installing in connecting rod.

CRANKSHAFT

Unit: mm (in)


Main journal diameter.(B) grade	Standard	Grade¹	Dimension
		Grade No. A Grade No. B Grade No. C Grade No. D Grade No. E Grade No. F Grade No. G Grade No. H Grade No. J Grade No. K Grade No. L Grade No. M Grade No. N Grade No. P Grade No. R Grade No. S Grade No. T Grade No. U Grade No. V Grade No. W Grade No. X Grade No. Y Grade No. 4 Grade No. 7	59.975 - 59.974 (2.3612 - 2.3612) 59.974 - 59.973 (2.3612 - 2.3611) 59.973 - 59.972 (2.3611 - 2.3611) 59.972 - 59.971 (2.3611 - 2.3611) 59.971 - 59.970 (2.3611 - 2.3610) 59.970 - 59.969 (2.3610 - 2.3610) 59.969 - 59.968 (2.3610 - 2.3609) 59.968 - 59.967 (2.3609 - 2.3609) 59.967 - 59.966 (2.3609 - 2.3609) 59.966 - 59.965 (2.3609 - 2.3608) 59.965 - 59.964 (2.3608 - 2.3608) 59.964 - 59.963 (2.3608 - 2.3607) 59.963 - 59.962 (2.3607 - 2.3607) 59.962 - 59.961 (2.3607 - 2.3607) 59.961 - 59.960 (2.3607 - 2.3606) 59.960 - 59.959 (2.3606 - 2.3606) 59.959 - 59.958 (2.3606 - 2.3605) 59.958 - 59.957 (2.3605 - 2.3605) 59.957 - 59.956 (2.3605 - 2.3605) 59.956 - 59.955 (2.3605 - 2.3604) 59.955 - 59.954 (2.3604 - 2.3604) 59.954 - 59.953 (2.3604 - 2.3603) 59.953 - 59.952 (2.3603 - 2.3603) 59.952 - 59.951 (2.3603 - 2.3603)
Pin journal diameter. (C) grade	Standard	Grade No. 0	51.968 - 51.974 (2.0460 - 2.0462)
		Grade No. 1	51.962 - 51.968 (2.0457 - 2.0460)
		Grade No. 2	51.956 - 51.962 (2.0445 - 2.0457)
Center distance (A)			40.66 - 40.74 (1.6008 - 1.6039)
Taper [Difference between (A) and (B)]	Limit		Less than 0.002 (0.0001)
Out-of-round [Difference between (C) and (D)]			Less than 0.0025 (0.0001)
Crankshaft runout [TIR*]	Standard		Less than 0.05 (0.0020)
	Limit		0.10 (0.0039)
Crankshaft end play	Standard		0.10 - 0.25 (0.0039 - 0.0098)
	Limit		0.30 (0.0118)
Fillet role of crankshaft journal	Standard		More than 0.10 (0.0039)

*: Total indicator reading

(1) : Always check with the Parts Department for the latest parts information.

Main Bearing

MAIN BEARING

Unit: mm (in)

Grade number*		Thickness	Width	Identification color	Remarks
0		2.000 - 2.003 (0.0787 - 0.0789)	19.9 - 20.1 (0.783 - 0.791)	Black	Grade is the same for upper and lower bearings.
1		2.003 - 2.006 (0.0789 - 0.0790)		Brown
2		2.006 - 2.009 (0.0790 - 0.0791)		Green
3		2.009 - 2.012 (0.0791 - 0.0792)		Yellow
4		2.012 - 2.015 (0.0792 - 0.0793)		Blue
5		2.015 - 2.018 (0.0793 - 0.0794)		Pink
6		2.018 - 2.021 (0.0794 - 0.0796)		Purple
7		2.021 - 2.024 (0.0796 - 0.0797)		White
01	UPR	2.003 - 2.006 (0.0789 - 0.0790)		Brown	Grade and color are different for upper and lower bearings.
01	LWR	2.000 - 2.003 (0.0787 - 0.0789)		Black
12	UPR	2.006 - 2.009 (0.0790 - 0.0791)		Green
12	LWR	2.003 - 2.006 (0.0789 - 0.0790)		Brown
23	UPR	2.009 - 2.012 (0.0791 - 0.0792)		Yellow
23	LWR	2.006 - 2.009 (0.0790 - 0.0791)		Green
34	UPR	2.012 - 2.015 (0.0792 - 0.0793)		Blue
34	LWR	2.009 - 2.012 (0.0791 - 0.0792)		Yellow
45	UPR	2.015 - 2.018 (0.0793 - 0.0794)		Pink
45	LWR	2.012 - 2.015 (0.0792 - 0.0793)		Blue
56	UPR	2.018 - 2.021 (0.0794 - 0.0796)		Purple
56	LWR	2.015 - 2.018 (0.0793 - 0.0794)		Pink
67	UPR	2.021 - 2.024 (0.0796 - 0.0797)		White
67	LWR	2.018 - 2.021 (0.0794 - 0.0796)		Purple

*: Always check with the Parts Department for the latest parts information.

UNDERSIZE

Unit: mm (in)

Items	Thickness	Main journal diameter
0.25 (0.0098)	2.133 - 2.141 (0.0840 - 0.0843)	Grind so that bearing clearance is the specified value.

MAIN BEARING OIL CLEARANCE

Unit: mm (in)

Items	Standard	Limit
Main bearing oil clearance	0.029 - 0.042 (0.0011 - 0.0017)*	0.065 (0.0026)

*: Actual clearance

Connecting Rod Bearing

CONNECTING ROD BEARING

Unit: mm (in)

Grade number*	Thickness	Identification color (mark)
0	1.500 - 1.503 (0.0591 - 0.0592)	Black
1	1.503 - 1.506 (0.0592 - 0.0593)	Brown
2	1.506 - 1.509 (0.0593 - 0.0594)	Green