How to Remove the Head on a Nissan Serena

The cylinder head on your Nissan Serena is used to help transfer fuel and air to the combustion chambers of the engine. Removing the cylinder head is a very difficult task which should usually only be attempted by an experienced mechanic, as it involves removing a large part of the engine. You can find the tools you will need for the job at any local DIY store. The job will take you most of an afternoon to accomplish.
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need
Socket wrench
Drain pan
1

Open up the hood of your Serena. Support the hood with the hood stand. Use a socket wrench to remove the clamp from the negative battery terminal. Lift the negative cable away from the terminal.
2

Place a drain pan underneath the radiator. Use a socket wrench to remove the bolt from the drain plug at the bottom of the radiator. Remove the plug and drain the coolant into the pan.
3

Use the socket wrench to remove the mounting bolts which attach the alternator, air cleaner unit, intake manifold and exhaust manifold from the engine. Take care when removing the components to ensure you do not damage them in any way.
4

Loosen the clamp bolts attached to the upper and lower radiator hoses. Slide the hoses from the clamps and pull them from their respective connectors. Use the socket wrench to remove the bolts attached to the rear timing belt cover. Lift the cover from the engine to gain access to the cylinder head.
5

Place a large piece of cardboard next to your work area. Remove the bolts from the cylinder head, beginning in the top left-hand corner and working your way around in a crisscross pattern. As you remove each bolt, place it on the cardboard and write a number above it. You must do this to keep track of where each bolt came from, because when you reattach the cylinder head you must put each bolt in the exact same hole from which it was removed. Lift the cylinder head from your Serena.