Timing Chain: Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Nissan Quest. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: The figure shows the relationship between the mating mark on each timing chain and that on the corresponding sprocket, the components installed.

Fig 1: Identifying Primary & Secondary Timing Chains With Mating Marks Position

Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

Install the RH (1) and LH (2) secondary timing chain tensioners (3).
Secondary timing chain tensioner bolts : 8.5 N.m (0.87 kg-m, 75 in-lb)

Fig 2: Installing Secondary Timing Chain Tensioners
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Before installing No. 1 camshaft bracket, apply sealant to mating surface.
- Use Genuine Silicone RTV Sealant, or equivalent.
- Before installation, wipe off any protruding sealant.
Fig 3: No. 1 Camshaft Bracket
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Tighten the No. 1 camshaft bracket in three steps, in the order shown.
1. Camshaft bracket bolts
2. Step 1 (bolts 7 - 10) : 1.96 N.m (0.2 kg-m, 17 in-lb)
3. Step 2 (bolts 1 - 6) : 1.96 N.m (0.2 kg-m, 17 in-lb)
4. Step 3 (bolts 7 - 10) : 5.88 N.m (0.6 kg-m, 52 in-lb )
5. Step 4 (bolts 1 - 6) : 10.4 N.m (1.1 kg-m, 92 in-lb)
Fig 4: Camshaft Bracket Bolts Tightening Sequence
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install the engine coolant inlet and thermostat assembly and gasket and coolant inlet housing.
Engine coolant inlet and thermostat assembly bolts : 9.8 N.m (1.00 kg-m, 87 in-lb)
Install rear timing chain case as follows:
1. Install new O-rings on cylinder block.
  
  Fig 5: O-rings
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
2. Install new O-rings (4) on RH (1) and LH (2) cylinder heads.
  - Secondary timing chain tensioner (3)
  - Stopper pin (5)
  Fig 6: O-rings
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
If necessary, install the water pump. Refer to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .

Fig 7: Water Pump Location
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

Fig 8: Rear Timing Chain Case Sealant Application Specifications

Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

Apply Silicone RTV Sealant to rear timing chain case as shown.
- Use Genuine Silicone RTV Sealant, or equivalent.
- Before installation, wipe off the protruding sealant.

Align the rear timing chain case with the dowel pins (RH and LH) on the cylinder block and install the case. Make sure the O-rings stay in place during installation.

Tighten the rear timing chain case bolts in the order shown. There are two bolt lengths used. Follow the chart below for proper bolt length specifications.

Bolt position to length

Bolt position	Bolt length
1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10	20 mm (0.79 in)
4, 5, 11 - 26	16 mm (0.63 in)

After all bolts are initially tightened, retighten them to the specification in the order shown.
Rear timing chain case bolts : 12.5 N.m (1.3 kg-m, 9 ft-lb

Fig 9: Rear Timing Chain Case Bolts Tightening Sequence
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

After installing rear timing chain case, check surface height difference between the rear timing chain case to cylinder block
Standard : -0.24 - 0.14 mm (-0.0094 - 0.0055 in)
- If not within standard, repeat above installation procedure.
Install the timing chain tension guide.
Timing chain tension guide bolts : 21.6 N.m (2.2 kg-m, 16 ft-lb)
Position the crankshaft so No. 1 piston is set at TDC on the compression stroke.
- Make sure that the dowel pin hole, dowel pin and crankshaft key are located as shown. Camshaft dowel pin hole (intake side): at cylinder head upper face side in each bank. Camshaft dowel pin (exhaust side): at cylinder head upper face side in each bank. Crankshaft key: at cylinder head side of RH bank.
  
  Fig 10: Dowel Pin Hole, Dowel Pin And Crankshaft Key Locations
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  
  CAUTION: Hole on small diameter side must be used for intake camshaft sprocket dowel pin. Do not misidentify (ignore big diameter side).
Install the secondary timing chains and camshaft sprockets.
CAUTION:
Matching marks between the timing chain and sprockets slip easily. Confirm all matching mark positions repeatedly during the installation process.
- Push the sleeve of the secondary chain tensioner and keep it pressed in with a stopper pin.
  
  Fig 11: Installing Secondary Timing Chains
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
1. Align the intake (1) and exhaust (9) sprockets (stamped) matching marks (4), (5), (7) and (10) to the secondary timing chain (8) [gold link (2)] and install them.
  - Illustration shows RH (rear view)
  - Matching marks for the intake sprocket are on the back side of the secondary sprocket.
  - There are two types of matching marks, round (7) and ( 10) and oval (4) and (5) types. They should be used for the RH and LH banks, respectively. RH bank: use round type (7) and (10). LH (6) bank: use oval type (4) and (5).
2. Align the dowel pin (3) and pin hole on the camshaft (1) the dowel pin groove (11) and dowel pin on the camshaft front end, and install them.
  - On the intake side, align the pin hole on the small diameter side of the camshaft front end with the dowel pin (3) on the back side of the camshaft sprocket (1), and install them.
  - On the exhaust side, align the dowel pin on the camshaft front end with the dowel pin groove (11) on the camshaft sprocket (9), and install them.
  - Camshaft sprocket bolts must be tightened in the next step. Tightening them by hand is enough to prevent the dislocation of the dowel pins (3).
  - 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 with paint.
  Fig 13: Making Mating Mark On The Sprocket Teeth
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
After confirming the mating marks are aligned, tighten the camshaft sprocket bolts.
- Secure the camshaft using a wrench at the hexagonal portion to tighten the camshaft sprocket bolts.
Fig 14: Tightening Camshaft Sprocket Bolts
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Pull the stopper pins (1) out from the secondary timing chain tensioners (2) and (3).

Fig 15: Stopper Pins
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install the crankshaft sprocket on the crankshaft.
- Make sure the mating marks on the crankshaft sprocket face the front of the engine.
Fig 16: Installing Crankshaft Sprocket
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install the primary timing chain.
- Install primary timing chain so the mating mark (punched) on camshaft sprocket is aligned with the yellow link on the timing chain, while the mating mark (notched) on the crankshaft sprocket is aligned with the gold link on the timing chain, as shown.
  
  Fig 17: Installing Primary Timing Chain
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
- When it is difficult to align mating marks of the primary timing chain with each sprocket, gradually turn the camshaft using a wrench on the hexagonal portion to align it with the mating marks.
- During alignment, be careful to prevent dislocation of mating mark alignments of the secondary timing chains.
Install the internal chain guide.
- Timing chain tensioner (2)
- Timing chain tensioner guide (3)
- Slack guide (4)
Fig 18: Removing Internal Chain Guide
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install the slack guide.
- Do not overtighten the slack guide installation bolt. It is normal for a gap to exist under the bolt seats when the installation bolt are tightened to specification.
Fig 19: Slack Guide
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install the timing chain tensioner (1) and slack guide (6).
1. Install the timing chain tensioner (1) and install the timing chain tensioner installation bolts (7).
2. Keep the slack guide (6) pressed and hold it by pushing the stopper pin (3) through the lever hole and body hole as shown.
3. Insert plunger (5) into tensioner body hole by pressing the slack guide (6).
  - ←: Press slack guide
4. Insert stopper pin (3) into tensioner body hole to hold lever (4), and keep the tab (2) released. An Allen wrench [2.5 mm (0.098 in)] (3) is used for a stopper pin as an example.
5. Pull lever (4) down and release plunger stopper tab (2). Plunger stopper tab (2) can be pushed up to release (coaxial structure with lever (4)).
  - ←: pull lever
  - When installing the chain tensioner, push in the sleeve and keep it pressed in with the stopper pin.
  - Remove any dirt and foreign materials completely from the back and the mounting surfaces of the chain tensioner.
  - After installation, pull out the stopper pin by pressing the slack guide.
Reconfirm that the matching marks on the sprockets and the timing chain have not slipped out of alignment.
Install new RH (1) and LH (2) O-rings (3) on the rear timing chain case.

Fig 21: Installing New O-rings
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

Install the front oil seal on the front timing chain case using a suitable tool. Apply clean engine oil to the oil seal edges.

Install it so that each seal lip is oriented as shown.

Fig 22: Installing Front Oil Seal

Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

Suitable drift

Outer diameter	59 mm (2.32 in)Inner diameter
Inner diameter	49 mm (1.93 in)

CAUTION: Press fit straight and avoid causing burrs or tilting the oil seal.

Press-fit oil seal until it becomes flush with timing chain case end face, using suitable drift.

Fig 23: Press-fit oil seal
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Make sure the garter spring in the oil seal is in position and seal lip is not inverted.

Apply Silicone RTV Sealant to front timing chain case as shown.
- Use Genuine Silicone RTV Sealant, or equivalent.
- Before installation, wipe off the protruding sealant.
- Install dowel pin on the rear timing chain case into dowel pin hole in front timing chain case.
Fig 24: Front Timing Chain Case Sealant Application Specifications
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

Loosely install the front timing chain case bolts.

Bolt position to diameter

Bolt position	Bolt diameter
1, 2	8 mm (0.31 in)
3 - 22	6 mm (0.24 in)

Tighten the front timing chain case bolts in the order shown.

Retighten the front timing chain case bolts in the order shown.

Fig 25: Front Timing Chain Case Bolts Tightening Sequence

Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

Bolt position to Tightening specification

Bolt position	Tightening specification
1, 2	28.5 N.m (2.9 kg-m, 21 ft-lb)
3 - 22	12.8 N.m (1.3 kg-m, 9 ft-lb)

After installing the front timing chain case, check the surface height difference between the following parts on the oil pan mounting surface.
- If not within specification, repeat the installation procedure.
Front timing chain case to rear timing chain case : (-0.14) - 0.14 mm [(- 0.0055) - 0.0055 in]

Front timing chain case to cylinder block : (-0.36) - (-0.10) mm [(-0.0142) - (-0.0039) in]

Fig 26: Checking Surface Height Difference
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install IVT control valve covers as follows:
1. Install new collared O-rings in front cover oil hole (LH and RH sides).
  
  Fig 27: Installing IVT Control Valve Covers
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
2. Install new seal rings on the IVT control covers.
3. Apply Silicone RTV Sealant to the IVT control covers.
  - Use Genuine Silicone RTV Sealant, or equivalent.
    
    Fig 28: Silicone RTV Application To IVT Control Covers
    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  - 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 IVT control covers.
  - Tighten the intake valve timing control cover bolts in the order shown.
    
    Fig 29: Identifying Primary & Secondary Timing Chains With Mating Marks Position
    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  Intake valve timing control cover bolts : 11.3 N.m (1.2 kg-m, 100 in-lb)
Apply liquid gasket and install the chain tensioner cover.
- Use Genuine Silicone RTV Sealant or equivalent.
Fig 30: Chain Tensioner Cover Sealant Application
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install the RH engine mounting insulator, mount and bracket. Refer to Removal and Installation .
Install the rocker covers. Refer to INSTALLATION .
Install the IVT control solenoid valve bank 1 and bank 2.
IVT control solenoid valve bolts : 11.3 N.m (1.2 kg-m, 100 in-lb)

Fig 31: Installing IVT Control Solenoid Valve Banks
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install the six spark plugs in their original positions. Refer to Removal and Installation .
Spark plugs : 24.5 N.m (2.5 kg-m, 18 ft-lb)

Fig 32: Installing Spark Plugs
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install the intake manifold collector. Refer to INSTALLATION .
Install crankshaft pulley and tighten the bolt in two steps.
- Lubricate thread and seat surface of the bolt with new engine oil.
- For the second step of angle tightening use Tool.
Step 1 : 44 N.m (4.5 kg-m, 32 ft-lb)

Step 2 : 84° - 90° degrees clockwise

Tool number : KV10112100 (BT-8653-A)
Remove Tool attached to the starter bolt hole.
Tool number : KV10117700 (J-44716)

Fig 33: Removing Tool
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Rotate crankshaft pulley in normal direction (clockwise when viewed from front) to confirm it turns smoothly.
Installation of the remaining components is in reverse order of removal.
Refill the engine with oil and coolant. Refer to fluid capacities.
CAUTION:
- Wait at least 30 minutes for the Silicone RTV Sealant to set before filling the engine with fluids to avoid leaks.
- Activate the fuel system. Check for any leaks when the system is repressurized and correct as necessary.
- Start the engine and check all systems for leaks or improper operation. Correct as necessary.
- 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 oil chamber of the chain tensioners. The engine may produce a rattling noise. This indicates that air still remains in the chamber and is not a matter of concern.