Timing Chain: Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Position crankshaft so that No. 1 piston is set at TDC on compression stroke.

Fig 1: Locating Dowel Pin
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install crankshaft sprocket on crankshaft.
- Make sure that mating marks on crankshaft sprocket face front of engine.
  
  Fig 2: Installing Crankshaft Sprocket On Crankshaft
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install lower chain guide on dowel pin, with front mark on the guide facing upside.

Fig 3: Installing Lower Chain Guide On Dowel Pin
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Press and shrink the secondary chain tensioner sleeve, and fix it using stopper pins.
- Lubricate threads and seat surfaces of camshaft sprocket bolts with new engine oil.
  
  Fig 4: Locating Stopper Pin
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install secondary timing chain and sprocket to one of the banks (Right bank shown in the figure) as described below.
1. Align mating marks (golden links) on secondary timing chain with those (punched marks) on the intake and exhaust sprockets.
2. Align camshaft knock pins with the sprocket groove and hole.
  - Because camshaft sprocket mounting bolts are tightened in step 7, perform manual tightening to the extent necessary to keep camshaft knock pin from dislocating.
    
    Fig 5: Aligning Mating Marks (Golden Links) On Secondary Timing Chain
    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  - Matching marks of the intake sprocket are on the back side of the secondary sprockets. There are two types of the marks; round and oval types, which should be used for right and left banks respectively.
    Right bank: Round
    
    Left bank: Oval
    
    Fig 6: Matching Marks Of Intake Sprocket
    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  - It may be difficult to visually check the dislocation of mating marks during and after installation. To make the matching easier, make a mating mark on the sprocket teeth in advance using paint.
    
    Fig 7: Identifying Mating Mark (Painted)
    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install secondary timing chain and sprocket to the other bank. Install primary timing chain at the same time.
- Installation of the secondary timing chain follows the procedure described in step 5.
- Install primary timing chain so that mating mark (punched) on camshaft sprocket is aligned with that (dark blue link) on the timing chain, and mating mark (notched) on crankshaft sprocket is aligned with that on the timing chain, respectively.
- When it is difficult to align mating marks of the primary timing chain with each sprocket, gradually turn the camshaft hexagonal head using a spanner so it is aligned with the mating mark.
- During alignment, be careful to prevent dislocation of mating marks on the secondary timing chain.
  
  Fig 8: Identifying Mating Mark With Punched
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
After confirming the mating marks are aligned, tighten the camshaft sprocket mounting bolts.
- Secure the camshaft hexagonal head using a spanner to tighten mounting bolts.
  
  Fig 9: Using Spanner Tighten Mounting Bolts
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Pull out the stopper pin from the secondary timing chain tensioner.

Fig 10: Identifying Right Bank Left Bank
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install internal guide.
Install upper tension guide and slack guide.

Fig 11: Installing Upper Tension Guide And Slack Guide
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install timing chain tensioner, then remove the stopper pin.
- When installing the timing chain tensioner, engine oil should be applied to the oil hole and tensioner.
  
  Fig 12: Installing Timing Chain Tensioner, Then Remove Stopper Pin
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install O-rings on rear timing chain case.
Apply liquid gasket to front timing chain case.
- Refer to "POSITION FOR APPLYING LIQUID GASKET ".
- Before installation, wipe off the protruding sealant.
  
  Fig 13: Installing O-Rings On Rear Timing Chain Case
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install rear case pin into dowel pin hole on front timing chain case.
Tighten bolts to the specified torque in order shown in the figure.
- Leave the bolts unattended for 30 minutes or more after tightening.
  
  Fig 14: Tightening Bolts To Specified Torque
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install intake valve timing control valve cover.
1. Install O-rings at front timing chain case.
2. Install seal ring at intake valve timing control valve covers.
3. Apply liquid gasket to intake valve timing control valve covers. Use genuine RTV silicone sealant or equivalent.
  - Being careful not to move the seal ring from the installation groove, align the dowel pins on the chain case with the holes to install the intake valve timing control valve cover.
    
    Fig 15: Installing Seal Ring At Intake Valve Timing Control Valve Covers
    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  - Tighten in numerical order as shown in the figure.
    
    Fig 16: Tightening In Numerical Order
    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install RH and LH rocker covers.
Rocker cover tightening procedure:
- Tighten in numerical order as shown in the figure.
  1. Tighten bolts 1 to 10 in that order to 6.9 to 8.8 N.m (0.7 to 0.9 kg-m, 61 to 78 in-lb).
  2. Then tighten bolts 1 to 10 as indicated in figure to 6.9 to 8.8 N.m (0.7 to 0.9 kg-m, 61 to 78 in-lb).
Hang engine using the right and left side engine slingers with a suitable hoist.
Set a suitable transmission jack under the suspension member.

Fig 17: Installing RH Rocker Covers
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Remove right and left side engine mounting nuts.
Remove right and left side suspension member bolts.
Install aluminum oil pan. Refer to "INSTALLATION ".
Set ring gear stopper using the mounting bolt hole.
- Be careful not to damage the signal plate teeth.
  
  Fig 18: Installing LH Rocker Covers
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install crankshaft pulley to crankshaft.
- Align pointer with TDC mark on crankshaft pulley.
  
  Fig 19: Installing Crankshaft Pulley To Crankshaft
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install crankshaft pulley bolt.
- Lubricate thread and seat surface of the bolt with new engine oil.
  1. Tighten to 39 to 49 N.m (4.0 to 5.0 kg-m, 29 to 36 ft-lb).
  2. Put a paint mark on the crankshaft pulley.
    
    Fig 20: Installing Crankshaft Pulley Bolt
    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  3. Again tighten by turning 60° to 66°, about the angle from one hexagon bolt head corner to another.
Install camshaft position sensor (PHASE), crankshaft position sensors (REF)/(POS) and intake valve timing control position sensors.
Reinstall removed parts in the reverse order of removal.
- When installing fuel tube and intake manifold collectors, refer to "TIGHTENING PROCEDURES ".
- After starting engine, keep idling for three minutes. Then rev engine up to 3,000 RPM under no load to purge air from the high-pressure chamber of the chain tensioners. The engine may produce a ratting noise. This indicates that air still remains in the chamber and is not a matter of concern.
  
  Fig 21: Identifying Angle Mark On Crankshaft Pulley
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.