Hey all, I normally hang out in the 5th gen forums but am left looking to you 3rd gen experts for some assistance. I recently acquired myself an 03 6 spd and was going to sell my old 90 but my girlfriends car just died and am stuck doing a bunch of things to this one so she has something to drive. I've read all the stickies on maintenance etc. and found a decent write up on the timing belt replacement, but it is specific to the Mercury Villager/Nissan Quest and although very similar, i'm wondering if anyone has a DETAILED write up specific to the 89-91 Maxes. I've already started disassembly and want to know more before I finish tearing into it this weekend. Thanks in advance

 

look up a 94 in the AZ online manual.
the timing BELT procedure stays the same from 89-94

 

Dosent the 94 max have timing chain not the belt?

 

94 GXE (VG30E SOHC) timing belt
94 SE (VE30DE DOHC) timing chain

 

up until 2/94 then it became a 95

 

Two kinds sprocket teeth have been used: use squared teeth belt if that engine has got squared sprockets: belt is Gates5146 41133x1.

The manual tightenin explanation has been made by confuzeans: in the end, only the tightness checkup counts. For gettin it right, I used the roller springload, then locked the roller. Tightness was ok: half inch bend down between cam sprockets, with 20lb force, like manual says.

 

Hey Guys I would just like to ask you two Questions

I have read everything that has to do with changing the VG timing belt, but I do not have any prior timing belt changes under my belt, do you think I could tackle this job if I got all the right parts and tools?

Wheres the best place to buy a timing belt for VG...... ?

 

Dealer .

 

Mark uself the original setting: three separate CLEAR marks on the belts and to the three sprockets. Dont turn the engine when belt is off. Copy the markings to new belt, and be careful to observe that u get it back like it was. If u cando that, and if u are already familiar with u tools then no problem.

Take u time, spoil NOT the job with a hurry... Prepare for tight crank bolt; Change at least crank seal. Behind the crank sprocket there IS a round thin metal 'shim' which may be stuck - yes, it will fit out. Then out comes the seal as u pull.

When the belt driven japs arrived in the mid 80's, they recommended for retightening after 1k km. Where's that nowadays? Dunno, but I'll do that always: for that purpose I drill one hole to the cover to release/tighten the pulley spring hex bolt (tape it close). Ppl here complain my methods, but dont care: with 20k checkup the tightness was exactly right (=open top screws and pry cover a little, measure). Just make sure the tightness checkup is as manual explains. Before starting, rotate engine by hand few rev.

 

Is there a seal for the belt cover I need to buy ?

I think I am just going to change the waterpump and gasket and the Timing belt and timing belt cover gaskets and the coolant hoses (they are brittle and need to be changed) I might change the drive belts not sure (depends on how much money I have at the end of the day) Please Answer my above Q.........

 

Crank axle has oil seal behind crank pulley. Cheap, easy to change. None is on the cover. If engine over 100k, highly recommended (as w-pump).

I also changed the tightening bearing (pulley). Everybody recommends, but really dunno; depends on how many miles... I am also afraid of new bearings...

 

i just did my timing belt by myself, and at my age i think that is pretty good. if i can do it, you definately can. if u ned help message me and i will help explain it.

 

How old are you?

I am 16 years old

I don't know if anyone can relate but nobody in my family cares about my 16 year old maxima (my baby)

I dont have 400.00 to give to a mech to get the belt changed and my dad wont help so I just have to buy everything myself and install it with the help of all you great guys on the .org

 

How do I message you ?

I don't know how !!

 

Thanks for all the posts so far but does anybody else have or know of any other write ups? Also, Maxima Man just a friendly word of caution cause you are bordering on thread jacking. I personally don't mind much, but I know for a fact that others do and figured I would point it out before someone jacks on ya in the future. But good luck changing your belt as well.

Also, one other question, do you need to use a puller to get the crank pulley off after you get that big azz bolt out or just a couple of easy taps with a rubber mallet?

 

You *might* get lucky and have it pull off by hand but you most likely need a puller. And the sprocket that is behind the pulley is a PITA.

 

Thanks for the warning...that is what i'm looking for. Any other insight from anyone else?

 

just email me at vansskaterfreek@comcast.net and i will reply. ASAP

 

I just got my water pump, timming belt, thermostat, and tensioners replaced, accompanied by my radiator system being flushed. It cost me 750 bucks. Now my max is leaking power steering fluid. I go through a through a bottle everywhere I go. Its gonna be 300 bucks to replace the pump. Is replacing a power steering pump a difficult job? I have little access to tools but I do have a trusty jack. I need help!

 

Are you sure its the pump that is leaking?...It is usually the pressure side hose that leaks.....

 

Is there a best way to pull the oil pump gear off to get to the seal ?

How hard is the seal to replace ? (be honest)

 

Its the high pressure hose thats worn. The hose skeets like a sprinkler. Its gonna be 45 fo the hose and 45 for installation. How can I tell if my car is a se or a gxe?

 

Does your car have keyless entry under the door handle? If it does,it a gxe


If the motor looks like this one.....

Then your in luck.....

 

Out of curiosity, what are the initial symptoms that occur when a timing belt is heading towards needing replacement in the earlier VG SOHC engine? is there anything that stands out in terms of the sound the engine makes or something? and how will it affect the car?

 

There is no sounds or anything a timing belt will do to let you know it's going....I have seen some fray up on the sides a little and slap the cover,but thats rare....Changing them is part of regular mantinance....Every 60,000 miles i think....If you don't know when or if it was last changed,then i would get it changed....

 

i wasnt sure, and i did it myself.......good thing i didnt wait any longer..that belt was f-ed up.

 

Makes me wonder what would have happened to my first max had I driven it every day since I got it (would be like 9 months now) as it had 166K and I know my mom did get it changed when she got it at 100K and I dont know when the org owner changed it. I could probably ask him as he lives next to my old house. Oh well Ive got to change the T belt on my new max as it sat for a year outside, I dont care if its a new belt I dont trust it.

~Alex

 

i justtried to put my firsttiming belt a 91 maxima and i cant find the marks . the belt broke , so did it ruin the engine?

 

the belt broke and i have taken it all apart and i cant find marks and im afraid the valves are going to be bent with no compression.

 

Valves are bent. this is an interference engine. I have a couple good sets of heads. You would just need to swap over your litters and rocker assemblies and cams, and I suggest installing new valve guides and seals. Otherwise, if not wanting to do all that work, you'll need to get a junkyard engine and swap it. It would still be recommended you install new water pump and timing belt on that engine.