Timing Chain: Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Nissan Pathfinder. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Install RH and LH camshaft chain tensioners to cylinder head as follows if removed.
1. Install chain tensioners with stopper pin attached and new O-ring.
2. Install No. 1 camshaft brackets.
  
  Fig 1: Installing Chain Tensioners With Stopper Pin Attaching New O-Ring
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install new O-rings to cylinder block if rear timing chain case is removed.

Fig 2: Installing New O-Rings To Cylinder Block
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install new O-rings to cylinder head if rear timing chain case is removed.
Apply liquid gasket to rear timing chain case. Refer to POSITION FOR APPLYING LIQUID GASKET .

Fig 3: Installing New O-Rings To Cylinder Head
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Align rear timing chain case, if removed, with dowel pins (RH and LH) on cylinder block. Then install it.
- Do not allow O-ring to drop.
1. Tighten mounting bolts in order as shown in the figure.
  - Install two types of mounting bolts, referring to the following instructions and figure.
    Bolt length:
    
    20 mm (0.79 in) (1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 in the figure)
    
    16 mm (0.63 in) (other than the above)
2. After all bolts are temporarily tightened, retighten them to specified torque in order shown in the figure.
After installing rear timing chain case, check surface height difference between following parts on oil pan mounting surface.
Standard

Rear timing chain case to cylinder block:

-0.24 to 0.14 mm (-0.0094 to 0.0055 in)
- If not within standard, repeat above installation procedure.
  
  Fig 4: Tighten Mounting Bolts
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Make sure that camshaft and crankshaft are at TDC position of No. 1 cylinder.
- Make sure that dowel pin and crankshaft key are located as shown in the figure.
  Camshaft dowel pin: At cylinder head upper face side in each bank
  
  Crankshaft key: At cylinder head side of RH bank
  
  Fig 5: Locating Dowel Pin And Crankshaft Key
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install lower chain guide on dowel pin, with front mark on the guide facing upside.

Fig 6: Installing Lower Chain Guide On Dowel Pin
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install secondary timing chain and camshaft sprockets.
1. 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 7: Identifying Stopper Pins
    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
2. Identify intake camshaft sprocket of the right and left bank.
  - Identify by front identification mark [10 mm (0.39 in) dia. recess] number and cutout position difference for signal detection of front end circumference.
  - Exhaust camshaft sprocket is a common part for both banks.
    
    Fig 8: Identifying Identification Marks And Intake Camshaft Sprocket Of Right And Left Bank
    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
3. Install secondary timing chain and sprocket.
  - Align mating marks (golden links) on secondary timing chain with those (punched marks) on the intake and exhaust sprockets.
  - Align camshaft dowel pins with the sprocket groove and hole.
  - Because camshaft sprocket mounting bolts are tightened in step 10, perform manual tightening to the extent necessary to keep camshaft dowel pin from dislocating.
    
    Fig 9: Aligning Mating Marks On Secondary Timing Chain
    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  - Mating marks of the intake sprocket are on the back side of the secondary sprockets. There are two types of the marks; circle and oval types, which should be used for right and left banks respectively.
    Right bank: Circle
    
    Left bank: Oval
    
    Fig 10: Identifying Mating Marks Of Intake Sprocket On Back Side Of Secondary Sprockets
    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 top of the sprocket teeth and its extended line in advance with paint.
    
    Fig 11: Checking Dislocation Of Mating Marks
    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 12: Tightening Camshaft Sprocket Mounting Bolts
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Pull out the stopper pin from the secondary timing chain tensioner.
Install primary timing chain.

Fig 13: Installing Primary Timing Chain
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
- Install crankshaft sprocket, with mating mark to timing chain facing front of engine.
  
  Fig 14: Identifying Crankshaft Sprocket, With Mating Mark To Timing Chain Facing Front Of Engine
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
- 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 (orange link) 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 15: Identifying Mating Marks On Timing Chain & Camshaft Sprockets
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install internal guide.
Install upper tension guide and slack guide.

Fig 16: Identifying Upper Tension Guide, Internal Guide And Slack Guide
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
- Do not overtighten the slack guide mounting bolts. It is normal for a gap to exist under the bolt seats when the mounting bolts are tightened to specification.
  
  Fig 17: Precaution For Slack Guide Mounting Bolts
  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 18: Removing Stopper Pin
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install O-rings on rear timing chain case.

Fig 19: Installing O-Rings On Rear Timing Chain Case
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install the water pump cover and the chain tensioner cover to front timing chain case if removed.
- Apply RTV silicone sealant or equivalent. Refer to RECOMMENDED CHEMICAL PRODUCTS AND SEALANTS .
Install new front oil seal, then apply liquid gasket to front timing chain case.
- Refer to OIL SEAL INSTALLATION DIRECTION .
- Refer to POSITION FOR APPLYING LIQUID GASKET .
- Before installation, wipe off the protruding sealant.
  
  Fig 20: Installing Water Pump Cover And Chain Tensioner Cover To Front Timing Chain Case
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install rear timing chain 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 21: Tightening Front Timing Chain Case Bolts To Specified Torque
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
After installing front timing chain case, check surface height difference between following parts on oil pan mounting surface.
Standard

Front timing chain case to rear timing chain case:

-0.14 to 0.14 mm (-0.0055 to 0.0055 in)
- If not within standard, repeat above installation procedure.
  
  Fig 22: Checking Surface Height Difference
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install LH and RH intake valve timing control covers.
1. Install collared O-rings in front timing chain case oil hole (RH and LH sides).
  
  Fig 23: Installing Collared O-Rings In Front Timing Chain Case Oil Hole (RH And LH Sides)
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
2. Install seal ring at intake valve timing control covers.
3. Apply liquid gasket to intake valve timing control covers. Use genuine RTV silicone sealant or equivalent. Refer to RECOMMENDED CHEMICAL PRODUCTS AND SEALANTS .
4. 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 cover.
  
  Fig 24: Installing Seal Ring At Intake Valve Timing Control Covers
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
5. Tighten in numerical order as shown in the figure.
  
  Fig 25: Installing Rh And LH Intake Valve Timing Control Cover
  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 figures.
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.
Remove right and left side engine mounting nuts.
Remove right and left side suspension member bolts.
Install oil pan. Refer to INSTALLATION .
Set ring gear stopper using the mounting bolt hole.
- Be careful not to damage the signal plate teeth.
Install crankshaft pulley to crankshaft.
- Align pointer with TDC mark on crankshaft pulley.
  
  Fig 28: Aligning Pointer With TDC Mark On Crankshaft Pulley
  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 29: 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 sensors (PHASE), crankshaft position sensor (POS).
Reinstall removed parts in the reverse order of removal.
- When installing fuel tube and intake manifold collectors, refer to TIGHTENING PROCEDURES .
- Check oil level.
- 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 rattling noise. This indicates that air still remains in the chamber and is not a matter of concern.