The Nissan A15 or A15S is an 1.5 l (1,487 cc) four-cylinder four-stroke gasoline engine from Nissan A-family. The engine was manufactured by Nissan Motor Company from 1979 through 1998. The Nissan Vanette C22 with A15 engine was built in Malaysia at the Tan Chong assembly plant in Segambut (Kuala Lumpur) until 2010.
The A15 motor uses a lightweight cast-iron block and an aluminum cylinder head, with overhead valves and single camshaft. Bore and stroke were 76.0 mm and 82.0 mm, respectively. Compression ratio rating was 8.9:1 for California, 8.5:1 for Non-California and Canada models and 9.0:1 for industrial applications. The A15 was produced in various ratings from 67 HP (50 kW) to 85 HP (63 kW).
The A15E engine with Electronic Port Fuel Injection system was offered in Asian markets.
The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:
- A – Engine Family
- 15 – 1.5 Liter Displacement
- S – Carburetor type
General information
| Engine Specifications | |
| Engine code | A15 (A15S) |
| Layout | Four stroke, Inline-4 (Straight-4) |
| Fuel type | Gasoline (petrol) |
| Production | 1979-1998 (in Malaysia until 2010) |
| Displacement | 1.5L, 1,487 cc (90.80 cu in) |
| Fuel system | Carburetor type |
| Power adder | None |
| Power output | 67 HP (48 kW) to 85 HP (63 kW) at 5,200 rpm |
| Torque output | – |
| Firing order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Dimensions (L x W x H): | – |
| Weight | 135 kg (287 lbs.) |
Cylinder block
The A15 has a cast-iron cylinder block utilizes a five bearing supported system. The cylinder block is provided with a baffle plate and a steel net to reduce oil consumption. The cylinder bore is 76.0 mm (2.992 in) and the piston stroke is 82.0 mm (3.228 in). The A15 engine has two compression and single oil control ring.
| Cylinder block | ||
| Cylinder block alloy | Cast iron | |
| Compression ratio: | 8.5:1-9.0:1 (Depends on country and vehicle model) | |
| Cylinder bore: | 76.0 mm (2.992 in)) | |
| Piston stroke: | 82.0 mm (3.228 in) | |
| Number of piston rings (compression / oil): | 2 / 1 | |
| Number of main bearings: | 5 | |
| Cylinder inner diameter (standard): | 76.000-76.050 mm (2.9921-2.9941 in) | |
| Piston skirt diameter (standard): | 75.967-75.017 mm (2.9908-2.9927 in) | |
| Piston pin outer diameter: | 18.995-19.000 mm (0.747-0.748 in) | |
| Piston ring side clearance: | Top | 0.040 – 0.070 mm (0.0016 – 0.0028 in) |
| Second | 0.030 – 0.060 mm (0.0012 – 0.0024 in) | |
| Oil | Combined | |
| Piston ring end gap: | Top | 0.20 – 0.35 mm (0.0079 – 0.0138 in) |
| Second | 0.15 – 0.30 mm (0.0059 – 0.0118 in) | |
| Oil | 0.30 – 0.90 mm (0.0118 – 0.0354 in) | |
| Crankshaft journal diameter: | 49.951 – 49.964 (1.9666 – 1.9671) | |
| Crankpin diameter: | 44.961 – 44.974 (1.7701 – 1.7706) | |
Cylinder head
The valve system has a push rod type rocker arm which uses the single type valve springs. The camshaft is driven with a double row roller chain from the crankshaft.
The tension of the chain is controlled by the chain tensioner which is operated with spring and oil pressure. The rubber shoe type tensioner insulates vibration of the chain and controls the tension of the chain.
Intake valves are 37.0 mm in diameter, and the exhaust valves are 30.0 mm. The valve seat and camshaft can vary depending on the country, year and vehicle model.
| Cylinder head | |||
| Valve Arrangement: | OHV, chain drive | ||
| Valves: | 8 (2 valves per cylinder) | ||
| Valve timing: | INTAKE | 248° 244° (Late emission) | |
| EXHAUST | 256° 248° (Late emission) | ||
| Valve head diameter: | INTAKE | 37.0-37.2 mm (1.457-1.465 in) | |
| EXHAUST | 30.0-30.2 mm (1.181-1.189 in) | ||
| Valve length: | INTAKE | 103.6-104.0 mm (4.079-4.094 in) | |
| EXHAUST | |||
| Valve stem diameter: | INTAKE | 7.970-7.985 mm (0.3138-0.3144 in) | |
| EXHAUST | 7.945-7.960 mm (0.3128-0.3134 in) | ||
| Valve spring free length: | 46.5 mm (1.831) | ||
| Cam height: | INTAKE | 36.200-36.250 mm (1.4252-1.4272 in) | |
| EXHAUST | 36.930-36.980 mm (1.4539-1.4559 in) | ||
| Rocker shaft outer diameter: | 19.979-20.000 (0.7866-0.7874 in) | ||
| Rocker arm bore diameter: | 20.020-20.033 (0.7882-0.7887 in) | ||
| Outer camshaft journal diameter: | №1 | 43.783-43.796 mm (1.7237-1.7242 in) | |
| №2 | 42.283-43.296 mm (1.6647-1.7046 in) | ||
| №3 | 42.783-42.796 mm (1.6844-1.6849 in) | ||
| №4 | 42.283-42.296 mm (1.6647-1.6652 in) | ||
| №5 | 41.208-41.221 mm (1.6224-1.6229 in) | ||
Maintenance data
| Valve clearance (Cold) | |
| Intake valve | 0.25 mm (0.0098 in) |
| Exhaust valve | |
| Valve clearance (Hot) | |
| Intake valve | 0.35 mm (0.0138 in) |
| Exhaust valve | |
| Compression pressure | |
| Standard | 13.5 kg/cm2 (192 psi) / 350 rpm |
| Minimun | 12.5 kg/cm2 (178 psi) / 350 rpm |
| Oil system | |
| Oil consumption , L/1000 km (qt. per miles) | up to 0.5 (1 qt. per 1200 miles) |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-30, 5W-40, 10W-30, 10W-40 |
| Engine oil capacity (Refill capacity) | With oil filter 3.3 l (3.5 qt.) Without oil filter 2.8 l (3.0 qt.) |
| Oil change interval, km (miles) | 5,000-10,000 (3,000-6,000) |
| Ignition system | |
| Ignition coil | Standard: BPR5ES (NGK) Hot type: BPR4ES (NGK) Cold type: BPR6ES (NGK) For USA models: Standard: BPR5ES-11 (NGK), L46PW-11 (HITACHI) Hot type: BPR4ES-11 (NGK), L47PW-11 (HITACHI) Cold type: BPR6ES (NGK), L44PW-11, L45PW-11 (HITACHI) |
| Ignition timig B.T.D.C./rpm | Manual transmission: 5°/700 (California) 10°/700 (USA and Canada) Automatic transmission (in D positon): 5°/700 (California) 8°/700 (USA) 10°/700 (Canada) |
| Spark plug gap | 1.0 – 1.1 mm (0.039 – 0.043 in) – USA 0.8 – 0.9 mm (0.031 – 0.035 in) – Canada |
Tightening torque specs
| Tightening torque specs | |
| Cylinder head bolt | 70-75 Nm; 7.0-7.5 kg·m; 51-54 ft·lb |
| Rocker shaft bracket bolt | 20-25 Nm; 2.0-2.5 kg·m; 14-18 ft·lb |
| Connecting rod big end nut | 32-38 Nm; 3.2-3.8 kg·m; 23-37 ft·lb |
| Flywheel bolt | 80-90 Nm; 8.0-9.0 kg·m; 58-65 ft·lb |
| Drive plate fixing bolt | 85-95 Nm; 8.5-9.5 kg·m; 61-69 ft·lb |
| Main bearing cap bolt | 50-60 Nm; 5.0-6.0 kg·m; 36-43 ft·lb |
| Camshaft sprocket bolt | 40-48 Nm; 4.0-4.8 kg·m; 29-35 ft·lb |
| Oil pan bolt | 15-20 Nm; 1.5-2.0 kg·m; 11-14 ft·lb |
| Oil strainer bolt | 9-14 Nm; 0.9-1.4 kg·m; 7-10 ft·lb |
| Oil pump bolt | 9-14 Nm; 0.9-1.4 kg·m; 7-10 ft·lb |
| Oil pan drain plug | 20-30 Nm; 2.0-3.0 kg·m; 14-22 ft·lb |
| Locating plate bolt | 4-5 Nm; 0.4-0.5 kg·m; 3-4 ft·lb |
| Carbutetor nuts | 5-7 Nm; 0.5-0.7 kg·m; 4-5 ft·lb |
| Manifold nuts | 15-20 Nm; 1.5-2.0 kg·m; 11-14 ft·lb |
| Fuel pump nuts | 9-14 Nm; 0.9-1.4 kg·m; 6.5-10 ft·lb |
| Crank pulley bolt | 150-200 Nm; 15-20 kg·m; 108-145 ft·lb |
| Engine mounting bolt | 19-25 Nm; 1.9-2.5 kg·m; 14-18 ft·lb |
| Water pump bolt | 9-14 Nm; 0.9-1.4 kg·m; 6.5-10 ft·lb |
| Rocker pivot lock nut | 16-22 Nm; 1.6-2.2 kg·m; 12-16 ft·lb |
| Timing chain cover bolt | 5-7 Nm; 0.5-0.7 kg·m; 4-5 ft·lb |
| Spark plug | 15-20 Nm; 1.5-2.0 kg·m; 11-14 ft·lb |
Vehicle applications
| Model | Years Produced |
| Nissan forklifts (Asian markets) | 1974-1978 |
| Nissan Sunny B310 (Datsun 210, 150Y) | 1979-1982 |
| Datsun 310 N10 (USA) | 1980-1982 |
| Nissan B120 Pickup (New Zealand) | 1980-1985 |
| Nissan Vanette C120 and GC22 (Europe) | – |
| Nissan Vanette C120 (Japan) | 1980-1988 |
| Nissan Vanette C22 (Japan) | 1985-1991 |
| Nissan Vanette SS van & SE truck (S20) (Japan) | 1994-1999 |
| Nissan Vanette C22 (Malaysia) | 1984-2011 |
Author:
Hi the A14Nissan motor does it use the same piston as A15 as l measured it at 76 on my A15 piston please advise thanks