EV TEARDOWN! Nissan Leaf Complete Electric Vehicle Drive Motor Unit Disassembly!

Today we've got something special. This is a drivetrain out of a 2012 Nissan Leaf. Yes, the VERY first EV teardown on this channel. This complete unit has 69k miles, and I bought it as it was the first reasonably priced EV driveline I've had to chance to procure. The first generation of Nissan Leaf made 107hp and 207lbft of torque. These cars are notorious for battery degradation likely do to their lack of a temperature controlled battery. This was Nissans first EV to make it to mass production and still has a pretty good following.
Why am I doing this? My name is Eric and I own Importapart. A full service auto dismantler. Part of our model includes dismantling blown up, failed and otherwise bad engines to salvage the good parts. We do not rebuild engines, merely supply parts to those who do!
Every week I post at least one teardown video as I have over the last 3.5 years. Here are a few of my favorite videos from the past:

00:00 Intro
02:29 Removing the electric AC Compressor
04:06 Fighting with the low voltage harness.
04:46 Fighting with the high voltage harness
06:15 Poppin' the access panel off the side
07:04 Unbolting the gearbox from the EV Motor
07:40 Separating the motor from the gearbox
09:12 Weighing the Motor
09:48 weighing the gearbox
10:18 Unbolting the gearbox casehalves
12:31 Trying my patience trying to split the gearbox case halves
13:34 Inspecting the gearbox, differential and fluid. YUCK
15:54 Unbolting the EV Motor case
16:32 Trying to split the case with my pry bar
18:53 The Armature is coming out!
20:54 The Armature FINALLY comes out!
23:11 Removing the other EV Motor Case to look at the windings and harness
24:59 Prying the other case off, this was tough! Dowel pins make it some work
26:47 Summary

I know this wasn't my normal video, and I really hope you enjoyed it. As always I love all of the comments, feedback and even the criticism. Catch you on the next one!

-Eric

[davidwagner]

You know, i work at an airport as an aircraft mechanic. If I come across a blown up piston aircraft engine, ill get it out to you for next years thanksgiving. Youll love it, 1940s technology still used in 2020. Im talking pushrod tubes, gear driven cams, and leakier than a bmw thats never had valve cover gaskets done.

[ItsTehPope]

As a die hard EV nerd, I don't think we see too many tear downs of this level and I 100% respect that you went out of your comfort zone and gave it a shot with this level of detail, and I can 100% respect taking ones time in the name of safety. Thank you for this, I really appreciate it.

Edit: cleaned up some spelling because Sudafed brain is real

[kylehicks]

A youtuber that DOESN'T ask people to subscribe?

You sir, are my favorite.

[andrewswartz]

18:28 I like how there was ZERO pause between "I should not be doing this" and "Let's keep going."🤣

[freddog]

being an old 82yrs hot rodder your teardowns help me understand the newer engines. thx

[jimburtwell]

I think the magnets will be Eric's new dipstick battles. Great video as always!

[davidahiwaaynet]

YES when you mentioned about the unsubscribing, I checked and had been unsubscribed. I have been listening to your videos for a long time and definitely didn't unsubscribe. But I subscribed back just now. Crazy.

That is an interesting motor. I work on motors and generators in industry and for a hobby on antique stuff. That type of motor (in industry) is called a permanent-magnet synchronous motor, or an electronically-commutated / brushless DC motor. The part with the magnets rotates and is called a rotor. In any motor the rotating part is the "rotor" and the stationary part is the "stator." In the case of the Nissan motor, the rotor wouldn't really be considered an armature. That name implies it has "arms" or pole pieces with windings around them. With most alternating current motors, the stator is the armature. With a DC brushed motor like a starter or blower motor, the rotor is the armature. The brushes create alternating current on each individual coil of the rotor as it turns and the commutator segments related to each winding pass the brushes. In this motor, the stator receives alternating current form the drive electronics, and is technically the armature. This will likely get a lot of blowback from those not in the industry but if you look at the engineering definition you will see I am correct.

It is interesting that they used sealed bearings in the motor. Those have a finite life; unlike the gearbox which has lubricating oil which can be renewed. That is a life-limiting point on this design.

Another thing I am trying to understand is why you were afraid and concerned for your safety to take the motor apart. Is that some sort of "thing" in the auto motive EV world that they have been indoctrinating into people? I would never worry to tear apart an electric motor. If the power is off, it is not dangerous beyond the magnets in it.

Thanks for making this video. Really enjoyed it! Also, again YouTube unsubscribed me from you. That is frustrating. Keep up the great work.

Looking forward to your next engine teardown, and other videos you make.

[supercharged]

He is about the only Youtuber that doesn't beg for subscribers or selling merch. Get so tired of those with over a million subs begging for more everything. He seems very sincere and thankful for his subscribers building his business. I think he would still do this if we didn't BUY ANYTHING. He seems humble and really thankful for all the subscribers and what they have done for him.

[mcburcke]

Ol' Blue's fight with the magnets was very entertaining...

[tcook]

"I should not be doing let's keep going" 😂 a guy after my own heart

[regsparkes]

" and now, for something completely and yes, this was a much 'simpler' system than I was thinking it would be.
Good to watch too, Thanks for this .

[watercannonscollaboration]

One of the coolest things about these teardowns, I don’t realize that I wanted to know what “an inside of this particular engine model” or even “what an inside of a motor unit of a Nissan Leaf” looks like until I click on one of these videos

[patrickkennedy]

watching your precision removal of that armature is just a reminder of your professional prowess and skill

[willgallatin]

Eric, you didn't hurt that motor. I"m just happy it didn't hurt you! Here's a hint for assembly. Set a pallet on your table and drill a hole slightly bigger than the shaft to pass through. Vertical orientation makes assembly fairly simple. Also use a strap and a lift to lower on the case. KEEP FINGERS

[snelson]

I love that you spoil us with cars and motors that wont even make you money and that you do it for us and i thank you very kindly i don't care if its motor tear downs or flood revivals or personal projects i will come back and watch and like 👍

[MrJdubbya]

This is like my dream job. Taking stuff apart and NOT having to put it back together myself. :)

[bryana]

"... the CURRENT situation." I see watt you did there.😛

[AAPLGUY]

I think it's so cool that you're expanding onto other drivetrains, Eric! It's the way of the future, regardless if we want it or not. It's super cool to see what makes an EV tick! I own both a gas Mazda and an electric Fiat, and it's amazing to think about how they do the same thing, yet share almost nothing in common mechanically. This was the first time I've seen a true dissection of a motor! Great video!

[davidskinner]

A quick safety note: Use care anytime you handle an armature with permanent magnets- the magnetic fields are so strong, the armature can "jump" towards steel topped tables or other iron and steel objects, crushing your fingers in the blink of an eye.

We had a guy at the Honda shop we called "Stumpy", since he peeled off the tip of a finger between an IMA rotor and a steel table top.

[FerralVideo]

These look like they would be a lot of fun to play around with.
especially if they're lower voltage architecture where you can more easily get drives to push them.
Thanks for a unique teardown, Eric.