Nissan XTerra Forum banner

How to: Replace knock sensor on a 3.3 supercharged engine.

16K views 14 replies 11 participants last post by  Wild Coast  
#1 · (Edited)
Alright this is the one thing i would say that everyone would rather avoid doing but for me i didn't want to bypass or moving the ks somewhere else so i did a lot of reading on the service manuel and decided it was time. if your mechanically inclined then it wont be too difficult.To be honest its not that bad.Id give it a 6-7 out of 10 for difficulty. Now that ive done it, I would do it again. So hopefully this write will help any of you who wants to tackle this task.

Also a great time to replace your spark plugs while everything is off.

link to part#'s-http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?t=19977

Parts and tools you'll need.
Parts.
1-ks-$75 shipped from ebay(nissan part) 22060-7b000

gaskets.
1-14033-ss700 -upper manifold
1-14032-ss700-collector
2-14035-v5205-lower manifold
1-14465-5s700-inlet to supercharger
screw type hose clamps which ill explain later.


Tools.
6,8,10,12 mm sockets
6mm allenhead socket
flathead screw drivers
needle nose pliers and whatever tool you feel the need to use.


Alright so lets get started, first thing you need to do is start the vehicle and pull the fuse out for the fuel pump so you can relieve the fuel pressure, after it dies, youll remove the cables from your battery. then your gonna drain the coolant by lossening the drain bolt from the bottom of the radiator. sorry i didnt have any pics of these steps. i just took the more important ones for me.

now remove the connectors on your intake and any tubes from airbox to throttlebody and remove the intake tube.
Image

Image


now remove any hoses connected to the intake tube to supercharger.
Image


now unbolt the bracket for the throttle cables from your intake tube and remove the 2 throttle cables, you pull them back towards the front of the engine once you remove it and wont get in your way.
Image


now remove the bracket from your supercharger to your intake tube.
Image


then remove two bolts from the lower bracket on you intake tube.
Image


now remove two bolts and the two bolt and nut from the take tube, its easier if you do it, trust me i didnt remove the two bolts that uses the two nuts and had a hard time trying to line up the gasket when i was installing the supercharger. so i ended up removing it. made it way easier.

Image


next release tension on the belt to your supercharger and remove the belt and tension bracket.
Image


next remove bracket and ground cable from supercharger.
Image


then the hoses to your by pass valve. theres another bracket just below this pic on the supercharger you need to remove, just one bolt. sorry no pic on that one.
Image


now its time to unbolt 9 bolts to the supercharger . now look up your factory manuel and remove it in the right order. after that this what youll see and getting closer to the ks i hate so much.
Image

Image


i used a vacuum to pick up any loose debris each step until i got to the lower intake. now unbolt the supercharger collector in the right order.theres also two air lines to remove from the collector. and some clips attached to it. i just cut the clip off and used zip ties to hold it later on,since factory clips suck. after that vacuum some more.
Image

Image


next step is cover up the lower intake to keep from anything falling in. then remove two fuel lines and becareful with the one using two bolts holding it cause its got a rubber oring at the end so make sure not to damage it in anyway. the other one is just a hose with a clamp.
Image


next using the 6mm allen head socket you'll remove 4 bolts holding the fuel rail to the lower intake..then remove the connectors to the injectors, youll need to lift up on the intake tube to remove the connector last injector on the driverside towards the firewall. then your gonna gently lift straight up on the fuel rail to loosen it and i lifted the front end up and back towards the back end of engine bay to clear the fuel pressure regulator. bit of a chore but take your time cause last thing you need to do is damage the fuel rail.be careful not to lose any of the rubber bushing thats between the injector and lower intake, i didnt replace them cause mine was not damaged but up to you.
Image

Image


now its time for the lower intake. at the back end of the intake theres coolant hoses and air hose. first remove coolant hose to the thermostat housing and remove 2 connector which is the temp sending unit and temp sensor. now if you feel under the thermostat housing where the metal cover is to the timing belt is a 8mm bolt remove it.
Image

Image


Image


now i only removed hose going to intake tube and removed clamp from the heater core cause it was damn near impossible to remove that hose clamp. vacuum some more,then remove the 2 coolant hoses in front part of your intake manifold,then unbolt the 8 bolts to your lower intake in the order the service manuel states. now your ready to remove it. gently lift up on it.

Image

Image

Image



next i removed the coolant best i could and replaced the ks. clean all the gasket mating surface and be sure to keep any debris from falling in. i spent rest of time cleaning off all the gaskets at this point, i used a razor blade gently removing what i could then i used a very soft wire wheel with my dremmel and removed the rest off. now you you just have to put everything back together from here, use light coat of oil on the injector bushings. after you install everything, fill the coolant and hook up battery cables. now i did'nt have a code probably due to the battery being removed for couple days, but if you have ks code use a ob2 scanner and clear it before you start your rig. mine did'nt have any issues or run funny from start. i had 2 pounds of boost and now i have 8 pounds.

im not that great at posting any how to threads so i hope i did alright on helping the next guy do this repair. ask any questions you might have.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

























0
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
i would recommend, no, HIGHLY recommend changing the spark plugs while youre in there.

great write up, i will be using this in the future.

good call! i totally spaced about the spark plugs!!
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
So the latest update since doing this repair. great improvement on gas mileage but once in awhile while driving , i would lose boost pressure back down to 2 pounds but if i stop at a red light and turn the ignition off and start it back up, id get the boost back . im not sure what it could be thats causing it. my only thought was the supercharger by pass valve actuator getting stuck? if anyone has any idea please chime in.