maestrolx

Okay, I am still not clear on something. I know the crank has to be at tdc. Got that. Now do I line up the cams on those dots on the TB rear cover? When I do that the lines on the belt don't match. So do I disregard the marks on the Tbrear coves and just go by the belt? Would that be accurate considering it's a belt and can be slack. Nissan did not need to make this so difficult.

spat

A couple tips: I always use a bit of white out to mark those faint bumps on the rear cover and on the cam gears as well as the ones down at the crank. Then using a strait edge of sorts make sure all my marks line up because by looking at it from an angle it may appear in line but actualy off one tooth. also I like to snug the tensioner and then give the engine two complete cycle rotations(4 revolutions of the crank) and then reset the tension on the tensioner. This helps set the initial stretch so you don't get any belt noise issues or worse have a loose belt.

However I have noticed on many of the V6 engines the cam marks do seem to be off just a slight bit something in the neighborhood of a 1/16 or less of an inch.

I can give you an even better tip if you have not removed the old belt yet! use some white out to mark the belt where the cam and crank marks are. Then count the belt notches between each sprocket to see if that matches the same number of teeth between the marks on the new belt.

__________________
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Spat
Former Nissan Tech
14yrs ASE all but AT it's a bitXX!
New career - HandyMan/Electrician - Freedom at last!!

86.5 Nissan HB D21 234K Miles
94 Nissan Altima GXE ? Miles
97 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.8L 132K Miles
64 Chrysler 300-K 2-door Convertible 63K Miles

smj999smj

It's not difficult. Nissan timing belts have three lines on them to match with the timing marks on the cam and crank gears (ignore the marks on the cover). Two of the lines are solid and one is "dashes," which is the one that you line up to the right bank cam gear mark (which will actually be on your left if you are looking at it from the front). There is also usually arrows showing direction of engine rotation. Match the left bank cam gear mark and crank sprocket mark to the solid dots. Release the tensioner bolt. Turn the right bank car gear several teeth counterclockwise and let the tensioner take up the slack. Tighten the nut on the tensioner. You should be able to take the belt at the center point between the two cam gears and turn it 90 degrees if the tension is good.

maestrolx

Thank you. That cleared it up for me. I was thinking the two solid lines go on the cams. Appreciate all the info.

smj999smj

That would make too much sense!