So I bought a 96 maxima from a friend and the only thing that's supposed to be wrong with the car is the water pump so I decided to save the money and fix it myself. Got the water pump switched out and decided it wasn't a bad idea to pull the timing cover in case it jumped time when my friend removed the water pump. Any tips on setting it to TDC and positioning the chain. (Ps: There's only one colored link on the timing chain and no helpful videos on youtube)

 

Bad news and good news.

I dont have the answer to that.
I have replaced the water pump, as many others have, by following clearly posted instructions.

Which do not mention the need to remove the timing cover.

I can understand aND sympathize with your situation.

Good news.

Some of the 95 and 96 engines have chain guides and tensioner which can fail. This results in a ratilong timing chain. Fixing that involves removing the timing cover.

So, since you are in there anyway, you might as well replace the tensioner and guides with the updated ones.

Replace the front crank seal in the cover.

Examine the harmonic balancer for signs of cracking. These tend to fail. So decide if it' good or iffy. Decide what your time is worth.

Thinking about this some more......

Im guessing that you did follow the instructions, the only difference is that you watched the mysterious things which happen inside the cover. Most of us are curious, but can't watch.

Im also assuming that you followed the instructions about turning the crankshaft clockwise for several revolutions of the engine. If not, read the instructions. Once this has been done, we assume that the timing chain is in the same relative position as it was before we turned it counter clockwise.
That's what we all do.

As long as you follow the instructions, you will be ok.

This is a proceedure whuch involves some faith and fear. Been there.

Now when you start the engine, don't be surprised if it sounds like it wants to explode. That is due to no oil in the tensioner. Give it a minuite or two. Blip the throttle to build some oil pressure.

 

i have had timing chain rattle since i got my car almost 13 years ago. original water pump and starter, car seems to have gotten quieter after i did upper intake rebuild and all coil packs and plugs and injectors, guess she knows i love her.

 

That's where you're incorrect.

Both the water pump and timing chain tensioner mechanism have been designed and installed to allow for their replacement without causing timing issues.

There are procedures to be followed related to both replacements and if those procedures were followed, your timing should be as it was prior to the work being done.

Notwithstanding that you've already removed the timing cover, if you haven't yet messed with the chain you should be fine. Just reinstall the cover and be on your way.

 

The tensioner piston was removed before I bought it. It was mainly as a precaution

 

Again, there are two tensioner aND chain guide combinations. You will need the old style tensioner.

or you could replace both the tensioner and chain guide with the revised version.

Supposedly the revised tensioner does not play well with the older style chain guides.

Do you have the old tensioner, or did your friend toss it?

 

I was talking about the tensioner piston on the left and yes, it's back on the car with the timing cover off. I rotated the crankshaft clockwise a few times until everything lined up. I noticed that everything looks like it lines up where it's supposed to except for the top right outside sprocket. I feel like while the chain was loose and being messed with, that somehow it got spun? Because the arrow on that sprocket is pointed straight up. Any ideas? If you can't tell already, I'm ignorant as hell when it come to cars. I want to learn, but I can't find anything helpful on the subject.

 

If all else fails, follow the instructions.


Most of us just turn the crankshaft for two complete revolutions after we do the water pump.
We have no clue about what the parts behond the pump cover do when we are following instructions.

Rotating the engine for two revolutions will insure that pistons do not kiss the valves.

Don't over think this. Just follow the instructions.

The engineers knew what they were doing. They knew more about our engines than any of us.
If they told us the steps involving water pump replacement, that's what we do.


Additional thought...........

the marks on the sprocket are there only for the initial installation of the chain at the factory, and
if the chain ever needs to be replaced.

The slack in the chain is probably due to no oil in the tensioner. To confirm this, look at where te tensioner contacts the chian guide Figure out which direction the tensioner wants to push the guide. Then push the guide in that direction yourself. You should notice less chain slop .

By the way, I respect your bravery for taking this project on if you know little about cars.

This project is one of the more difficult common repairs most of us have to deal with sooner or later.