FixVault
Home › Nissan-Datsun › 2002 › Sentra SE-R, Automatic › Repair and Diagnosis › External Pages › Different car › Section 409 (Engine Mechanical) › Timing Chain › Removal

Timing Chain: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Nissan Maxima. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Release the fuel pressure. Refer to BASIC SERVICE PROCEDURE .
  2. Disconnect the battery negative terminal.
  3. Drain the engine cooling system.
  4. Drain engine oil. Refer to CHANGING ENGINE OIL .
  5. Remove engine cover using power tool.
  6. Remove side engine covers.
  7. Remove the intake air duct with the air cleaner case lid and mass air flow sensor. Refer to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
  8. Remove the engine coolant reservoir.
  9. Disconnect the fuel rail quick connector at the vehicle piping side.
    Fig 1: Disconnecting Fuel Rail Quick Connector
    G00572842Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  10. Remove the cowl top. Refer to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
  11. Remove the windshield wiper assembly. Refer to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION FOR WIPER MOTOR AND LINKAGE .
  12. Remove the IPDM E/R and position aside. Remove the bracket.
  13. Remove the front RH wheel and tire using power tool.
  14. Remove the engine undercover
  15. Remove the RH inner fender splash shield.
  16. Remove the drive belts and idler pulley. Refer to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
  17. Recover the A/C system R134a and remove the A/C compressor. Refer to EVACUATING SYSTEM AND CHARGING REFRIGERANT , REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION FOR COMPRESSOR .
  18. Remove engine oil cooler pipe bolts.
  19. Remove the power steering oil pump and reservoir tank with lines attached and position them aside.
  20. If removing rear timing chain case, remove the upper and lower oil pans. If removing timing chain , remove the lower oil pan and loosen the front 2 bolts from the upper oil pan. Refer to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
  21. Remove the generator. Refer to REMOVAL & INSTALLATION .
  22. Disconnect the engine harness and position aside.
  23. Remove the A/C low pressure line. Refer to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION FOR LOW-PRESSURE FLEXIBLE HOSE .
  24. Support the engine and remove the RH engine mounting insulator, mount and bracket. Refer to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION " .
  25. Remove the chain tensioner cover and water pump cover.
  26. Remove the IVT control covers, right and left. Loosen the IVT control cover bolts in the order shown.
    NOTE: The shaft in the cover is inserted into the center hole of the intake camshaft sprocket. Remove the cover by pulling straight out until the cover disengages from the camshaft sprocket.
    Fig 2: IVT Control Cover Bolts Loosening Sequence
    G00572402Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  27. On A/T vehicles, remove the starter motor. Refer to STARTER .
  28. Remove the intake manifold collector. Refer to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
  29. Remove the six ignition coils.
    NOTE: Note locations for installation.
    Fig 3: Ignition Coils With Torque Specifications
    G00572843Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  30. Remove the six spark plugs.
  31. Remove the engine oil dipstick.
  32. Remove the rocker covers. Loosen the rocker covers bolts in the order shown.
    Fig 4: Rocker Covers Bolts Loosening Sequence
    G00572844Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  33. Disconnect connectors and remove the IVT control solenoid valves.
    NOTE: Discard the gasket and use new gaskets for installation.
    Fig 5: Removing IVT Control Solenoid Valves
    G00572403Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  34. Obtain compression TDC of No. 1 cylinder as follows:
    1. Rotate crankshaft pulley clockwise to align pointer (A) with TDC mark on crankshaft pulley.
      Fig 6: Aligning Pointer With TDC Mark On Crankshaft Pulley
      G00572404Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
    2. Check that intake and exhaust camshaft lobes on No. 1 cylinder (right bank of engine) are located as shown.
      • If not, turn the crankshaft one revolution (360°) and align as shown.
        Fig 7: Turning Crankshaft One Revolution (360°)
        G00572405Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  35. Lock the ring gear using Tool attached to the starter bolt hole.

    Tool number : KV10117700 (J-44716) 

    CAUTION: Do not damage the ring gear teeth, or the signal plate teeth behind the ring gear, when setting the Tool.
    Fig 8: Locking Ring Gear Using Tool
    G00572406Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  36. Remove the crankshaft pulley as follows:
    1. Loosen crankshaft pulley bolt using Tool and locate bolt seating surface at 10 mm (0.39 in) from its original position.

      Tool number : KV10109300 ( - ) 

      Fig 9: Loosening Crankshaft Pulley Bolt
      G00572407Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
    2. Position a pulley puller at recess hole of crankshaft pulley to remove crankshaft pulley.
      CAUTION: Do not use a puller claw on crankshaft pulley periphery.
      Fig 10: Removing Crankshaft Pulley
      G00572408Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  37. Remove the front timing chain case.
    1. Loosen the front timing chain case bolts in the order shown.
      Fig 11: Front Timing Chain Case Bolts Loosening Sequence
      G00572409Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
    2. Insert the appropriate size tool into the notch (1) at the top of the front timing chain case as show
    3. Pry off the case by moving the suitable tool (2) as shown.
      Fig 12: Front Timing Chain Case Notch and Tool
      G00572410Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
      • Cut liquid gasket for removal using Tool.

        Tool number : KV10111100 (J-37228) 

      CAUTION:
      • Do not use a screwdriver or similar tool.
      • After removal, handle carefully so it does not bend, or warp under a load.
  38. Remove the internal chain guide.
    Fig 13: Removing Internal Chain Guide
    G00572411Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  39. Remove the timing chain tensioner and slack guide.
    • Place paint marks on the timing chain and sprockets to indicate the correct position of the components for installation.
      1. Pull lever down and release plunger stopper tab. Plunger stopper tab can be pushed up to release (coaxial structure with lever).
      2. Insert stopper pin into tensioner body hole to hold lever, and keep the tab released. An Allen wrench [2.5 mm (0.098 in)] is used for a stopper pin as an example
        Fig 14: Removing Timing Chain Tensioner And Slack Guide
        G00572412Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
      3. Insert 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.
        Fig 15: Removing Timing Chain Tensioner And Slack Guide
        G00572413Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
      5. Remove the timing chain tensioner installation bolts and remove the timing chain tensioner.
      6. Remove slack guide installation bolt and the slack guide.
  40. Remove primary timing chain and crankshaft sprocket.
    CAUTION: After removing timing chain, do not turn the crankshaft and camshaft separately, or the valves will strike the pistons.
  41. Attach a suitable stopper pin to the right and left camshaft chain tensioners (for secondary timing chains).
    Fig 16: Attaching Suitable Stopper Pin To Camshaft Chain Tensioners
    G00572414Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  42. Remove the intake and exhaust camshaft sprocket bolts.
    • Apply paint to the timing chain and camshaft sprockets for alignment during installation.
    • Secure the hexagonal portion of the camshaft using a wrench to loosen the bolts as shown.
      Fig 17: Securing Hexagonal Portion Of The Camshaft
      G00572415Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  43. Remove the secondary timing chains with camshaft sprockets.
    1. Rotate camshaft slightly, and slacken timing chain of timing chain tensioner side.
    2. Insert metal or resin plate [0.5 mm (0.020 in)] into guide between timing chain and chain tensioner plunger. Remove camshaft sprocket and secondary timing chain with timing chain removed from guide groove.
      Fig 18: Removing Secondary Timing Chains
      G00572416Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
      • Intake camshaft sprocket is two-for-one structure of primary and secondary sprockets.
      • Handle the intake sprockets as an assembly.
      CAUTION:
      • Chain tensioner plunger can move while stopper pin is inserted in tensioner. Plunger can come out of tensioner when timing chain is removed. Use caution during removal.
      • Avoid impact or dropping the intake sprockets.
      • Do not disassemble the intake sprockets (never loosen bolts A and B as shown).
        Fig 19: Intake Sprockets
        G00572417Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  44. Remove the timing chain tension guide.
  45. If neccesary remove the water pump.
    Fig 20: Water Pump Location
    G00572424Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  46. Remove the rear timing chain case.
    CAUTION:
    • Do not remove the plate metal cover for the oil passage.
      Fig 21: Plate Metal Cover
      G00572418Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
    • After removing the chain case, do not apply any load to the case that might bend it.
    1. Loosen and remove the rear timing chain case bolts in the order shown.
      Fig 22: Rear Timing Chain Case Bolts Loosening Sequence
      G00572419Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
    2. Cut the sealant using Tool and remove the rear timing chain case.

      Tool number : KV10111100 (J-37228) 

      CAUTION: Be careful not to damage mating surface.
      Fig 23: Cutting Sealant Using Tool
      G00572420Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  47. Disconnect the inlet coolant hose.
  48. Remove the inlet coolant housing, gasket and thermostat.
  49. Remove O-rings on the cylinder head and cylinder block.
    Fig 24: O-rings
    G00572421Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
    Fig 25: O-rings
    G00572422Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  50. Loosen the No. 1 camshaft bracket bolts in several steps in the order shown and remove No. 1 camshaft brackets.
    Fig 26: Camshaft Bracket Bolts Loosening Sequence
    G00572423Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  51. Remove the camshaft chain tensioners (for secondary timing chains).
  52. Use a scraper to remove all of the old Silicone RTV Sealant from the front and rear timing chain case and opposite mating surfaces.
    CAUTION: Do not damage the mating surfaces
    Fig 27: Removing old Silicone From Front And Rear Timing Chain Case
    G00572425Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  53. Remove all old Silicone RTV Sealant from all the bolt holes and bolts.
    CAUTION: Do not damage the threads or mating surfaces.
    Fig 28: Removing old Silicone From All The Bolt Holes And Bolts
    G00572426Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  54. Use a scraper to remove all the old Silicone RTV Sealant from the water pump cover, chain tensioner cover and IVT control covers.
    CAUTION: Do not damage the mating surfaces
    Fig 29: Removing old Silicone From Water Pump
    G00572427Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  55. Remove the old Silicone RTV Sealant from the camshaft No. 1 bracket mating surface using a scraper.
    CAUTION: Do not scratch or damage mating surface.
    Fig 30: Removing old Silicone From Camshaft No. 1 Bracket
    G00572428Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  56. Remove the front oil seal from the front timing chain case using a suitable tool.
    CAUTION: Do not damage the front cover.
    Fig 31: Removing Front Oil Seal
    G00572429Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
About FixVault