Even with the tensioner all the way in, the belt is small?

 

I've tried to move the tensioner around and it seems the belt might be a bit small. Probably explain why when I try to line up the marks they won't line up (Since there is 3, I've tried all 3 combinations and something seems to be off.

S

 

maybe got the wrong belt...

I know once upon a time, it was said that it was worth the extra money to buy the belt from a nissan parts house, rather than rely on an aftermarket belt...

 

Done yet?...

 

Nope :P The down side of having my car in Puyallup. I don't get any chance during the week to mess with it.

S

 

When I did my t-belt @90k....Yeah guess what happened...I also had a real hard time. Everytime I tried to slip the t-belt onto the tensioner I could not get it to fit on right. One or more of the three line-up marks would be off. The t-belt seemed too small. Wrong t-belt? No , it was the right one. I think it was made by Goodyear.

I guess with all the spring tension still on the cam gears you have to have it just at the right spot to make it work.

I finally got the belt on right by removing the tensioner...line up all the marks on the gears/crank...then slip the t-belt and tensioner back on, a little at a time. Try halfway first, or even less, pushing the belt onto each gear and moving the tensioner back onto it's mounting stud... again a little at a time. Make sure the return spring is installed correctly too. The cam gear may move off it's mark so you would have to check that too.

After the belt was finally on and all aligning marks correct, you could hardly turn the tensioner with a hex key as the FSM procedure said to do. It turned but just bearly. Man what close tolerances.

There is a spec. (# of teeth between marks) on those line-up markings on the t-belt. Don't think you have the wrong belt.

I hope this helps Sarin

Good Luck and Happy Lunar New Year (Rooster)

AL

 

Thanks Al!

I gave in and bought a belt from Nissan the other day. So that should help. There is a big difference in quality I've notice. We'll see how it goes.....I might have an extra belt for sale!

S

 

Would it be a discount since it is too small?

 

Well the other belt I bought elsewhere, so I'll probably get that fully refunded.

S

 

Alright, I'm getting to frustrated with this. I spent a good 2 hours trying to get the belt on. I keep running into the same problems....either the markings line up and the belt won't go on, or the belt will go on, but the markings are off, or the markings and belt are on and the stupid tensioner won't go on. I'm to the point I just want the damn thing to work....but not making any progress. **** I even just found out that I'm missing the bolts for the water pump. ARRRGGGHHH!

S

 

Your day isnt looking so good. Do you have a Haynes or the FSM with you. I saw a pic I believe in the haynes that actually showed the timing belt with some slack in it. Im sure you do have those books with you, but depending on what you dont have I can look in whichever book.

 

I have all 3 books on hand. I know I have the right belt since I have the Nissan one I got earlier this week.

S

 

Is the Nissan one any bigger than the other brand you got? Is this a problem with ALL new timing belts, or just non-Nissan ones? I'm wondering if I'm gonna have the same problems with my Goodyear belt.

 

It was the about the same as the one I got earlier.

S

 

Is anyone helping you? I have found that jobs that take a long time, I will get frustrated with them and have to either get someone else to look at it or step away from the job for a few hours. Another person may see something you are not seeing, or a few hours away from the job will let you get your head clear. Good luck with the job, I do not have much helpful advice, I paid someone to change mine.

 

Not really. I'm trying not to bother iansw too much. He is already nice enough to let me use his garage...AND put up with me everyday at work. I will get it....next time I work on it, I will be determined to get it working.

S

 

Sarin,
Another thought...you'vemade sure the belt is facing the right direction, right...they are directional, with an arrow printed on the belt, that should point AWAY from the engine (IIRC)...

 

hey man sorry to hear its a PITA. Did you get a new tensioner when you got the belt? Just wondering.

 

Yeah, I have the arrow facing out. I tried switching it around to see what the result was...and the marks went from slightly off to horribly off. I did however skip the step to removed the valvecovers and loosen the rockers. The reason being I already have enough **** on that motor taken apart as it is....I'm already missing the bolts for my water pump...and I'm really pissed off about that. I just don't want to tear into this motor more than I already have.

S

 

Car is running again. Finally got the belt on, new front seals, water pump, thermostat, and tensioner. Car is running pretty good. Was feeling slow at first, but now she just plain kicks *** now. I left the upper timing cover off....it's a pain in the *** to get it in. I might put it on sometime....but I'll leave it off for now. The timing belt is freaking loud! Car runs much cooler then it use to too!

S

 

congrats on getting it back on the road Sarin. What did you ever figure out about the belt being too tight?

 

cool beans man. Now the turbo project can start!!

 

Well it was still fairly tight....but still manged to slip on. I was quite surprised. It may of been because I pulled all three cam gears to do seals. Either way, I took the car out last night and stretched it's legs. Had an awesome launch (spun first, and part of 2nd. ) Too bad when I put my 18's back on that won't happen....they are really heavy! Either way, can't wait until boost!

S

 

were you doing a burn out and went into second or your can chirp second? The reason I ask is because I come no where close to chirping second in my 87, but I can melt the tires off in second. I have a video of me balling a tire off the line at the track from a few weekends ago

 

Basically, I was melting off the second.....I dumped the clutch from about 3000 rpm, redlined, then dumped it into 2nd with no traction still. The I30 Rims aren't too heavy...so that's part of the reason. With these rims, I can chirp 2nd pretty easily...with the 18's...not chance in hell without boost. Speaking of which, I put my 18's on today. I was so proud it brought a tear to my eye!

S

 

That's awesome to hear, man! Glad you finally got it sorted. My belt is kind of whiney too, at least compared to the old one. But so far so good. I've been seriously contemplating the boostage too lately, but seeing as mine is my only transportation it's hard to pull it off the road for more than a day. That and the fact that my automatic may or may not take the extra power. Damn turbo's. Why'd they have to make them so much fun?

 

lol, and addictive! Well I think the whine will die down if I actually put the upper cover on.

S