Nissan PULSAR N13 Series / ASTRA LD Series. Manual — part 6

25

ENGINE TUNE-UP

CAUTION: To prevent severe electrical shock, extreme care must be taken when
working on or near the electronic ignition system as dangerous high tension voltages
are produced in both the primary and secondary circuits. See the text for
precautionary notes.

1. TUNE-UP SPECIFICATIONS

Firing order. . . . . . . . . . . . ... 1 -3-4-2

Spark plugs:

Type . . . . . . . . . . . .NGK BPR 6ES

Gap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...1.1 mm

Tightening torque. . . . . . . . . .. 20 Nm

Ignition timing with diagnostic link

connector jumped. . . . . . ... 10 deg BTDC

Idle speed (ECU controlled):

Manual transaxle 1.8 liter. . . 850 ± 50 rpm

Manual transaxle 1.6 liter. . . 800 ± 50 rpm

Automatic transaxle

(Park or Neutral). . . . . . .. 825 ± 50 rpm

Drive belt deflection:

Alternator . . . . . . . . . . ... 14-16 mm

Power steering pump . . . . . . . 14-16 mm

Air conditioner compressor . . . . .. 9-11 mm

NOTE: When performing an engine tune-
up, a/ways compare the above Specifications
with the emission control information label
inside the engine compartment.

2. TUNE-UP OPERATIONS

Special Equipment Required:

To Test Compression — Compression gauge

TO SERVICE AIR CLEANER

The air cleaner is equipped with a paper element.

The element should be regularly inspected but should
not be cleaned in service.

The element should be renewed every 40 000 km.

This distance is only a guide for normal operating
conditions and should be reduced accordingly if the
vehicle is operating under extremely dusty conditions.

NOTE: Paper air cleaner elements should
not be washed in petrol or any other type of
cleaning solvent. If the element has been
washed in solvent or has become oil soaked,
it should be discarded and a new element
installed.

1.8 Liter Engine

(1) Release the clamp securing the air intake

hose to the throttle body and disconnect the throttle
cable from the support bracket.

(2) Release the clips retaining the upper air

cleaner housing to the lower air cleaner housing and
raise the upper housing while disconnecting the air
intake hose from the throttle body. Remove the air
cleaner element.

The air cleaner element should be renewed at 40 000

km intervals. 1.8 liter engine.

(3) Clean the inside of the air cleaner housing

using a damp rag to remove all traces of dust and
check the upper housing and air inlet hose for cracks
and air leaks. Renew if necessary.

(4) Install a new air cleaner element to the lower

housing ensuring that the element is correctly seated
around the edges.

(5) Install the upper housing and lock the clips,

securing it to the lower housing. Connect the air
intake hose to the throttle body and the throttle cable
to the support bracket. Tighten the hose clamp
securely.

(6) Start the engine and check the air cleaner

assembly for air leaks.

26

Engine Tune-up

1.6 Liter Engine

(1) Remove the nuts and washers securing the

upper air cleaner housing to the lower air cleaner
housing and release the retaining clips.

(2) Remove the air cleaner element.
(3) Clean the inside of the air cleaner housing

using a damp rag to remove all traces of dust.

(4) Install a new air cleaner element ensuring that

the element is correctly seated around the edges.

(5) Install the upper housing and secure the

retaining clips. Tighten the retaining nuts securely.

TO RENEW FUEL FILTER

filter should

The fuel

40 000 km.

(1) Depressurize the fuel system using the fol-

lowing procedure:

(a) Lift the front edge of the rear seat cushion

and remove the cushion from the vehicle.

When depressurizing the fuel system, remove the rear

seat cushion and disconnect the fuel pump wiring

connector.

(b) Disconnect the fuel pump wiring connector.
(c) Start and run the engine until it stalls.

Operate the starter motor for 10 seconds to ensure
that the fuel pressure has dissipated.

(2) Disconnect the negative battery terminal.
(3) Release the hose clamps and disconnect the

fuel hoses from the filter. Remove the filter from the
retaining clamp noting the direction of the arrow on
the filter body.

On some models it will be necessary to remove the

screw from the side of the clamp to allow the filler to
be removed.

Installation is a reversal of the removal procedure

with attention to the following points:

(1) Install the fuel filter with the arrow facing the

direction noted on removal, that is, in the direction of
fuel flow.

(2) Ensure that the hose clamps are tightened

securely.

(3) Connect the fuel pump wiring connector and

install the rear seat cushion.

(4) Start the engine and check for fuel leaks.

Rectify as necessary.

TO ADJUST DRIVE BELTS

It is essential that all drive belts are adjusted to

the correct tension to prevent slippage or premature
wear of the bearings in the alternator and, if equipped,
the power steering pump and air conditioner compres-
sor.

(1) Push down on the drive belt with a 10 kg

force midway between the pulleys of the drive belt
concerned.

On models with air conditioning, push down on

the upper section of the drive belt between the
compressor and crankshaft pulleys.

If the drive belt deflection is not within Specifi-

cations it will require adjustment as follows.

(2) Loosen the alternator and, if equipped, the

power steering pump pivot and adjusting bolts and

ALTERNATOR

POWER STEERING PUMP

be renewed every

Installed view of the fuel filter. Note the direction of the

arrow on the filter prior to removal.

Illustration of the alternator, power steering pump and

air conditioner compressor drive belts. The arrows

indicate the deflection measuring points.

Engine Tune-up

27

move the alternator or power steering pump as
required until the drive belt concerned has the
specified deflection.

On models with air conditioning, loosen the nut

in the centre of the idler pulley and turn the adjusting
bolt until the drive belt has the specified deflection.

(3) Tighten the alternator or power steering

pump bolts securely and check the belt tension.

On models with air conditioning, tighten the idler

pulley nut securely.

TO SERVICE SPARK PLUGS

The spark plugs should be renewed at intervals of

40 000 km.

Before removing the spark plugs ensure that the

area around each plug is clean to prevent foreign
matter entering the cylinder when the plugs are
removed.

Spark plugs removed from an engine in good

mechanical condition should have a light powdery
deposit ranging from light brown to grayish tan in
color. After considerable service the electrodes will
show signs of wear or normal burning. Spark plugs
showing a thick black oily deposit indicate an engine
in poor mechanical condition or possibly, that a plug
with too low a heat range has been installed.

Spark plugs showing a white or yellowish deposit

indicate sustained high speed driving or possibly that
plugs with too high a heat range have been installed,
particularly when these deposits are accompanied by
blistering of the porcelain and burning of the elec-
trodes.

If the spark plugs are to be cleaned, use a

sandblasting machine and blow clean with com-
pressed air. Ensure that all traces of abrasive grit are
removed from the spark plug threads and from the
well in the plug body. Carefully open the electrode gap
a little, by bending the side electrode, and lightly file
the electrodes flat with a points file.

Black damp deposits can be caused by excessive oil

consumption or incorrect plug type. Spark plugs in this

condition are usually not firing.

Cutaway view of spark plug showing a crack in the
insulator nose which can be caused by exerting pres-
sure against the centre electrode when adjusting the
gap. The other crack shown on the insulator is caused
by tilting the plug spanner.

When plug electrodes are eroded to this degree the
spark can be considered worn out and should be
renewed using a plug of the recommended heat range

.

CRACK

Engine Tune-up

Spark plug with burnt electrodes and white blistered

appearance, possibly due to incorrect plug type, loose

plug or motor running too hot.

NOTE: Never attempt to alter the electrode
gap by bending the centre electrode as
damage to the porcelain insulator will
result.

Before installing any spark plugs measure the gap

between the electrodes, preferably with clean wire
gauges. If wire gauges are unavailable, use clean feeler
gauges. Move the side electrode towards or away from
the centre electrode to obtain the correct gap-

Screw the plugs into the cylinder head ringer tight,

then use a torque wrench to tighten the plugs lo the
specified torque.

Checking the spark plug electrode gap with a wire

gauge.

NOTE: If a torque wrench is unavailable,
extreme care must be taken when tightening
the spark plugs as over tightening may lead
to stripping of the thread from the cylinder
head. If the plugs are tightened with the
fingers and then taken up an additional 1/4
of a turn with a spark plug wrench, they will
be tight enough.

TO TEST COMPRESSION

(1) With the engine at operating temperature.

disconnect the high tension leads from the spark
plugs.

(2) Ensure that the area around each spark plug

is clean to prevent foreign matter entering the cylin-
ders and remove the spark plugs.

(3) Remove the fusible link that is positioned

third from the front of the fusible link connecting
block, located at the rear of the battery. Disconnect
the coil high tension lead from the coil.

NOTE: Failure to remove the fusible link
can result in an explosion.

(4) Install a compression gauge to number one

spark hole according to the gauge manufacturers
instructions.

(5) Have an assistant fully open the throttle and

operate the starter switch to rotate the engine. Ob-
serve the compression gauge and stop the engine when
the gauge has reached the highest reading, usually
after 3 or 4 compression strokes.

(6) Record the reading and check the compres-

sion of the remaining cylinders in the same manner.

(7) Compare all the readings taken. Variation

between the highest and lowest reading cylinders
should not exceed 100 kPa.

(8) If a low reading is recorded on one or more

cylinders the trouble may be isolated as follows :

Lightly file the plug electrodes flat with a points file