Timing Chain: Service and Repair

Removal











Liquid gasket application places

CAUTION:
- After removing timing chain, do not turn crankshaft and camshaft separately, or valves will strike piston heads.
- When installing chain tensioners or other sliding parts, lubricate contacting surfaces with new engine oil.
- Apply new engine oil to bolt threads and seat surfaces when installing camshaft sprockets and crankshaft pulley.
- Do not spill engine coolant on drive belts.

UPPER TIMING CHAIN
1. Remove the spark plug wires.





2. Set No.1 piston at TDC on its compression stroke.
3. Remove vacuum hoses, electrical harness connectors, and harness clamps.
4. Remove the power steering belt, A/C compressor belt and generator belt.
5. Remove the generator support bracket and generator, position aside.
6. Remove the power steering reservoir tank and reposition it for clearance.





7. Install the engine support eye bracket at the right rear of the cylinder head and support engine.
8. Remove the upper right engine mount and bracket.
9. Remove the rocker cover.
- Remove in numerical order as shown.





10. Remove the camshaft sprocket cover.
- The stoppers on camshaft sprocket cover prevent upper timing chain from disengaging idler sprocket.





11. Wipe off the links of timing chain next to the timing marks on the sprockets. Put paint marks on the timing chain, matching them with the timing marks on the cam sprockets and idler sprocket.
12. Remove cam sprocket bolts, cam sprockets, upper timing chain tensioner, and upper timing chain.

IDLER SPROCKET





1. Remove upper timing chain.
2. Support lower timing chain by using a suitable tool to avoid chain tensioner spring from coming out.

NOTE: This step is only to be applied when the lower cover is not being removed.





3. Remove the idler sprocket bolt.
4. Remove the idler sprocket.

LOWER TIMING CHAIN





1. Drain coolant by removing the cylinder block drain plug and opening the radiator drain cock.
2. Remove oil pan.
3. Remove the power steering pump and position it to the side. Remove the idler pulley and bracket.
4. Set No. 1 piston at TDC on its compression stroke.





5. Remove the crankshaft pulley.
6. Remove the oil separator.
7. Remove the front cover.

CAUTION: Be careful not to tear or damage the cylinder head gasket.

NOTE: Engine may need to be lowered to provide clearance for the timing cover to clear the frame. Engine height may need to be adjusted when removing the cover.





8. Remove the following parts:
- Lower timing chain tensioner (Push piston and insert a suitable pin into pin hole.) Chain tension arm
- Lower timing chain guide
- Oil pump drive spacer
9. Remove the idler sprocket.





10. Wipe off the links of the timing chain next to the timing marks on the sprockets. Put paint marks on the timing chain, matching them with the timing marks on the crankshaft sprocket and idler sprocket.
11. Remove the lower timing chain and sprocket.

Inspection








Check for cracks and excessive wear at roller links. Replace chain if necessary.

Installation
LOWER TIMING CHAIN





1. Install crankshaft sprocket and oil pump drive spacer.
- Make sure that mating marks of crankshaft sprocket face front of engine.
2. Position crankshaft so that No. 1 piston is set at TDC on compression stroke.
3. Install the idler sprocket and lower timing chain using the mating marks and the paint marks made during the removal process.

CAUTION: Be careful not to tear or damage the cylinder head gasket.

4. Install chain guide and chain tension arm.
5. Install lower chain tensioner and remove the pin securing the piston into the tensioner body.
6. Install oil pump drive spacer.
7. Front cover installation:





- Using a scraper or other suitable tool remove all traces of liquid gasket from the cylinder block and front cover mating surfaces.
- Install a new crankshaft seal in front of cover.
- Apply a continuous bead of liquid gasket to front cover.

NOTE: USE Genuine Nissan RTV Silicone Sealant P/N 999MP-A7007 or equivalent.





- Be sure to install new front oil seal.
- Also place RTV sealant on the head gasket surface.
- Install front cover to the engine.

CAUTION: Be careful not to tear or damage the cylinder head gasket.

8. Install oil pan.
9. Install the following parts:
- Crankshaft pulley.
- A/C compressor and idler pulley bracket.
- Power steering pump.

UPPER TIMING CHAIN





1. Install lower timing chain (if removed).





2. Install upper timing chain and sprockets, to the painted reference marks made during removal.
3. Install chain tensioner. Remove the pin holding the tensioner piston in the bore of the tensioner.
4. Install camshaft sprocket cover.
- Use a scraper to remove all traces of liquid gasket from mating surfaces of the engine block and camshaft sprocket cover.
- Apply a continuous bead of RTV sealant to the cover.
- Also place RTV sealant on the head gasket surface.

NOTE: Use Nissan Genuine RTV Silicone Sealant, Part No. 999 MPA7007 or equivalent.

CAUTION: Be careful not to tear or damage the cylinder head gasket.

CAUTION: Be careful upper timing chain does not slip or jump when installing camshaft sprocket cover.





5. Install rocker cover using the following procedure:
a. Tighten nuts and bolts (1) - (5) - (6) - (4) in that order to 4 Nm (0.4 kg-m, 35 inch lbs.).
b. Tighten nuts and bolts to (1) to (11) in numerical order to 8 to 11 Nm (0.8 to 1.1 kg-m, 69 to 95 inch lbs.). Install all spark plugs with high-tension cords.
6. Install upper right engine mount and bracket.
7. Install power steering fluid reservoir tank.
8. Install generator support bracket and generator.
9. Install power steering, generator and A/C compressor drive belts.
10. Install vacuum hoses, electrical harnesses and connectors.
11. Install the spark plug wires.