Which side is left?

[jumalou]

Hi everyone! This is my first time posting. I have a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder 3.5LE that the service engine light is on. When a diagnostic was run, three codes came up:
p1145, Intake Valve Timing Control Position Sensor LEFT - B2
p0430, Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank, Bank 2
p1491, Evap Emission Vacuum Cut Valve Bypass Valve
p1145 popped a second time (there were a total of three codes but this one popped twice - why did this one pop twice?

Anyway, because the p1145 code came up twice, I'm going to work on that issue first - replace the Intake Valve Timing Control Position Sensor (any help on how to best do this as well as any tips or tricks are appreciated) but my FIRST question is - and I feel rather silly asking it but: Is LEFT determined when you are sitting in the car? OR, is it determined when you are standing outside the car facing it? This question is not answered in my Chilton Repair Manual 98-04'. If I should somehow know the answer to this seemingly simple question, I apologize!

Another issue.... a friend/mechanic said I should replace the PCV Valve because a bad PCV valve causes all sorts of problems that I am currently experiencing (bad gas mileage, rich smelling tail pipe fumes.) Does this sound right? Will a bad PCV valve show up on a diagnostic because it didn't on my diagnostic? Replacing the PCV Valve requires removing upper and lower plenum - probably a four hour time commitment - YIKES! Any help on this is again, much appreciated!!!

Thanks in advance for any and all help!
Julie

[OriginalWheelman]

Left and right on a car are always from the driver's perspective.

[jumalou]

Thank you!
I'm the banana in your avatar...

[Dattebayo]

Left and right on a car are always from the driver's perspective.

I always thought it was the perspective from the front of the car when working under the hood... I mean, that's how they refer to the cylinder numbers, right?

[Rev_D21]

Driver side is left.

[OriginalWheelman]

Left and right on a car are always from the driver's perspective.

I always thought it was the perspective from the front of the car when working under the hood... I mean, that's how they refer to the cylinder numbers, right?

Cylinders are numbered by order on the crank. IIRC Ford and GM v8s always had the first cyl on the right side of the car, idk why.

[MinisterofDOOM]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4loegLRNqmQ[/youtube]

I always thought it was the perspective from the front of the car when working under the hood... I mean, that's how they refer to the cylinder numbers, right?

Right. Cylinder one on a Nissan engine is the front passenger* cylinder. It alternates from side to side. Cylinder 2 is driver side bank, forwardmost position. So Nissans have "odd" and "even" banks. Nissan V8s have cylinders 7 and 8 at the rearmost positions on the passenger and driver sides respectively. 6s have 5 and 6 in those spots.
Like this:

Cylinders are numbered by order on the crank. IIRC Ford and GM v8s always had the first cyl on the right side of the car, idk why.

GM and ford don't have odd and even banks. They start at the forward passenger position and move back (so cylinder 4 on a Ford V8 is at the rear of the passenger bank, 5 is at the front of the driver bank, and 8 is at the rear of the driver bank).
Like this:


After years of working on Nissan engines, thinking the American way still feels weird to me. I actually replaced the wrong ignition coil on my LS once because I counted the Nissan way.

*For left-hand-drive cars, obviously.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Welcome to NICO!