Nissan A15 / A15S

Nissan A15 engine on Nissan Vanette C22The Nissan A15 or A15S is an 1.5 l (1,487 cc, 90.80 cu in) four-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-cooled, gasoline engine from the Nissan A-family. The engine was manufactured by Nissan Motor Company from 1979 to 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 (2.99 in) and 82.0 mm (3.23 in), 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 Nissan A15 engine was produced in various ratings from 68.0 PS (50.0 KW; 67.1 HP) at 5,200 rpm to 85.7 PS (63.0 KW; 84.5 HP) at 5,200 rpm of horsepower.

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)
Power output From 68.0 PS (50.0 KW; 67.1 HP) at 5,200 rpm
to 85.7 PS (63.0 KW; 84.5 HP) at 5,200 rpm
Torque output
Fuel system Carburetor type
Power adder None
Cooling system Liquid-cooling
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)
Piston ring side clearance (Second): 0.030-0.060 mm (0.0012-0.0024 in)
Piston ring side clearance (Oil): Combined
Piston ring end gap (Top): 0.200-0.350 mm (0.0079 – 0.0138 in)
Piston ring end gap (Second): 0.150-0.300 mm (0.0059 – 0.0118 in)
Piston ring end gap (Oil): 0.300-0.900 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)
Valve timing (EXHAUST): 256°
248° (Late emission)
Valve head diameter (INTAKE): 37.0-37.2 mm (1.457-1.465 in)
Valve head diameter (EXHAUST): 30.0-30.2 mm (1.181-1.189 in)
Valve length (INTAKE): 103.6-104.0 mm (4.079-4.094 in)
Valve length (EXHAUST): 103.6-104.0 mm (4.079-4.094 in)
Valve stem outer diameter (INTAKE): 7.970-7.985 mm (0.3138-0.3144 in)
Valve stem outer diameter (EXHAUST): 7.945-7.960 mm (0.3128-0.3134 in)
Valve spring free length: 46.5 mm (1.831)
Camshaft cam height (INTAKE): 36.200-36.250 mm (1.4252-1.4272 in)
Camshaft cam height (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 0.25 mm (0.0098 in)
Valve clearance (Hot)
Intake valve 0.35 mm (0.0138 in)
Exhaust valve 0.35 mm (0.0138 in)
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 liters (3.5 US.qts, 2.9 Imp. qts)
Without oil filter: 2.8 liters (3.0 US.qts, 2.5 Imp. qts)
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: Sergei Wers
About: Co-founder and CEO of a multi-brand auto repair shop (engine repair, chassis repair, body repair and painting) for over 15 years. I have been developing internet sites with technical specifications for more than seven years.

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