Timing Chain: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Nissan Quest. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Set No. 1 cylinder at TDC on its compression stroke.
- Rotate crankshaft pulley clockwise to align timing mark (grooved line without color) with timing indicator.
  
  Fig 1: Aligning Pointer With TDC Mark On Crankshaft Pulley
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Remove front timing chain case. Refer to REMOVAL .
Check timing chain markings to confirm No. 1 cylinder is at TDC of its compression stroke.
- If not, remove Ring Gear Stopper Tool and turn crankshaft clockwise 360° (one revolution).
- Re-install Ring Gear Stopper Tool
  Tool number : - (J-50288)
- If the original timing chain markings are not legible, use paint or equivalent to mark the timing chains to the sprockets.
If removing the timing chains (secondary), loosen camshaft sprocket bolts.
Compress the timing chain tensioner (primary).
1. Pull lever down and release plunger stopper tab. Plunger stopper tab can be pushed up to release (coaxial structure with lever).
  
  Fig 2: Pulling Lever Down And Release Plunger Stopper Tab
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
2. Insert stopper pin into timing chain tensioner (primary) body hole to hold lever, and keep the tab released. An Allen wrench [1.2 mm (0.047 in)] is used for a stopper pin as an example.
3. Depress plunger into tensioner body by pressing the slack guide.
4. Keep the slack guide pressed and hold it by pushing the stopper pin through the lever hole and body hole.
  - Use stopper pin included with Tool J-50246.
  Fig 3: Inserting Stopper Pin Into Timing Chain Tensioner (Primary) Body Hole To Hold Lever
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Remove the internal chain guide (1).
- Slack guide (2) does not need to be removed.
Fig 4: Identifying Internal Chain Guide And Slack Guide
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Remove timing chain (primary).
CAUTION: After removing timing chain, do not turn the crankshaft and camshaft separately, or the valves will strike the pistons.
Remove crankshaft sprocket, if necessary.
Remove timing chain (secondary) and camshaft sprockets as follows:
1. Attach stopper pin (B) to the right (A) and left (C) timing chain tensioners (secondary) (1).
  NOTE: Use stopper pins included with Tool J-50246.
  
  Fig 5: Attaching Suitable Stopper Pin To RH And LH Secondary Timing Chain Tensioners
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
2. Remove camshaft sprocket (INT and EXH) bolts.
3. Remove the timing chains (secondary) together with camshaft sprockets (INT) and (EXH).
  - Turn camshaft slightly to secure slack of timing chain on timing chain tensioner (secondary) side.
  - Insert metal or resin plate [0.5 mm (0.020 in)] into guide between timing chain (secondary) and timing chain tensioner (secondary) plunger. Remove camshaft sprocket and timing chain (secondary) with timing chain removed from guide groove.
    CAUTION: Timing chain tensioner plunger can move while stopper pin is inserted in timing chain tensioner. Plunger can come out of tensioner when timing chain is removed. Use caution during removal.
    
    NOTE: Camshaft sprocket (INT) is a one piece integrated design with sprockets for timing chain (primary) and for timing chain (secondary).
  - When handling camshaft sprocket (INT), be careful of the following:
  CAUTION:
  - Handle carefully to avoid any shock to camshaft sprocket.
  - Do not disassemble. (Do not loosen bolts (A) as shown).
    
    Fig 7: Camshaft Sprocket Handling
    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
NOTE: For removal of timing chain tensioner (secondary). Refer to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER) . Removing camshaft bracket (No. 1) is required.