Timing Chain: Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Nissan Maxima. 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 rear timing chain case as follows:
1. Install new O-rings on cylinder block.
  
  Fig 2: O-rings
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
2. Install new O-rings on cylinder head.
  
  Fig 3: O-rings
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Apply Silicone RTV Sealant to rear timing chain case.

Align the rear timing chain case and water pump assembly 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 bolts in the numerical order as 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 numerical order as shown.
Rear timing chain case bolts : 12.5 N.m (1.3 kg-m, 9 ft-lb)

Fig 4: Rear Timing Chain Case Bolts Tightening Sequence
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

Install the timing chain tension guide.
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 5: 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 6: 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 8: 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 9: Tightening Camshaft Sprocket Bolts
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Pull the stopper pins out from the timing chain tensioners (for secondary timing chains).

Fig 10: 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 11: Installing Crankshaft Sprocket
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install the primary timing chain.
- Water pump (G).
  
  Fig 12: Installing Primary Timing Chain
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
- Install primary timing chain so the mating mark punched (B) on camshaft sprocket is aligned with the copper link (A) on the timing chain, while the mating mark notched (E) on the crankshaft sprocket (D) is aligned with the yellow link (F) on the timing chain, as shown.
- When it is difficult to align mating marks (A) with (B) and (E) with (F) 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.

Fig 13: Installing 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 14: Slack Guide
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install the timing chain tensioner for the slack guide.
- 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.
Fig 15: Installing Timing Chain Tensioner
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Reconfirm that the matching marks on the sprockets and the timing chain have not slipped out of alignment.
Install new O-rings on the rear timing chain case.

Fig 16: 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 17: 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.
Do not reuse oil seal.

Using a suitable drift, press-fit oil seal until it becomes flush with timing chain case end face.

Fig 18: 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 the rear case pin into dowel pin hole on front timing chain case.

Tighten bolts to the specified torque in order as shown.

Fig 19: 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]

Oil pump to cylinder block : (-0.36) - (-0.10) mm [(-0.0142) - (-0.0039) in]

Rear timing chain case to cylinder block : (-0.24) - 0.14 mm [(-0.0094) - 0.0055 in]

Fig 20: 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).
  NOTE: Do not reuse O-rings.
  
  Fig 21: 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 valve covers using Tool as shown.
  - Use Genuine Silicone RTV 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 IVT control covers.
  - Tighten in the numerical order as shown.
    
    Fig 23: IVT Control Valve Covers Tightening Sequence
    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install the water pump cover and the chain tensioner cover.
Apply Silicone RTV Sealant or equivalent using Tool.

Tool number : WS39930000 ( - )

Fig 24: Chain Tensioner Cover Sealant Application
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install the RH and LH rocker covers. Tighten the rocker cover bolts in two stages in the numerical order as shown.
Stage 1 : 1.96 N.m (0.20 kg-m, 17 in-lb)

Stage 2 : 8.33 N.m (0.85 kg-m, 74 in-lb)

Fig 25: Rocker Cover Bolts Tightening Sequence
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install the IVT control solenoid valve bank 1 and bank 2.
IVT control solenoid valve bolts : 11 N.m (1.1 kg-m, 8 ft-lb)

Fig 26: Installing IVT Control Solenoid Valve Banks
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install the engine oil dipstick.
Install the six ignition coils to their original positions.
Ignition coils (6) : 7.0 N.m (0.71 kg-m, 62 in-lb)
Install the intake manifold collector (lower). Tighten the bolts and nuts in numerical order as shown.

Fig 27: Intake Manifold Collector Bolts Tightening Sequence
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Connect the EVAP purge volume control solenoid hose.
Connect the PCV hose.
Connect the coolant hoses to the electric throttle control actuator.
Connect the power brake booster vacuum hose.
Connect the electric throttle control actuator harness electrical connector.
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.
Fig 28: Installing Crankshaft Pulley
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

Step 1 : 44 N.m (4.5 kg-m, 32 ft-lb)

Step 2 : 90° degrees clockwise

Tool number : KV10112100 (BT-8653-A)
Remove Tool.
Tool number : KV10117700 (J-44716)

Fig 29: Removing Tool
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Installation of the remaining components is in the 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.