Replaced Timing Belt

Status
Not open for further replies.
9

92saturnsl2

Joined
Mar 2, 2004
Messages
4,412
Location
Kentucky
I replaced my timing belt over the summer at about 110k / 8 years in service. Figured I would post the pictures here for those interested. It wasn't terribly difficult other than fitting my 1/2" impact in between the crankshaft pulley bolt and A/C condensor. Took about 9 hours for removal & replacement.

The whole thing cost me about $100. I replaced the belt (Ebay), tensioner (old one sounded like it had sand in the bearings), the two innermost accessory belts, and a bypass (coolant) hose that was behind the timing cover.

Some say I should have replaced the cam seals, crank seals, water pump and all that, but they appeared okay to me. I'll take my chances.

dscf0030.jpg


dscf0033.jpg


duplicate_8960_dscf0035.jpg


dscf0041.jpg


dscf0049.jpg


dscf0054.jpg


Old belt after 110k:

dscf0037.jpg
 
They wanted $550 for the belt alone, which might have been okay.

But every dealer I got a quote from tried selling me the whole kit 'n kaboodle, and they were certain that I needed it even before lifting a finger.

They wanted about $800 just for the timing belt, water pump and tensioner.
 
my mechanic usually does the job in 2 hours. in one day...and this is true, by the way...i have 2 dodge colts, and the one with very little mileage was hit and was a write off - Richard unbolted the suspension from the frame, and picked up THE WHOLE WORKS: motor, transmission, steering rack, struts, control arms, wheels, etc... the whole thing, took out the same in the car with high mileage, replaced it all in one shot - in less than 8 hours. single handed.
anyone in Sault Ste. Marie Ontario that needs a mechanic, go no further than Gore Street Automotive Mechanic. not only honest, but will do it cheaper, and he doesn't even care if you buy your parts online to bring them in.

Richard did that entire job for a little more than they were quoting you for the timing belt.
 
Last edited:
i would not worry about the water pump! it looks like you can replace it with out messing with the timing belt. since the water pump is driven by the serpentine belt you will have less to tear down when it does go bad. mike
 
Originally Posted By: caravanmike
i would not worry about the water pump!


It's driven by one of the serpentine belts, but the bolts to remove it are buried beneath the timing belt cover. Since I do my own work, I'm not particularly worried about it.
 
Nice Job 92 SL2; I think that timing belts were a step backwards and I'm glad that many manufacturers are now going back to chains. An $800 maintanence item is RIDICULOUS IMO.
 
I'll actually take a belt.. As long as I can change it myself without too much headache. Which I guess isn't the case with most modern vehicles, so maybe the chain is a good idea.

Some engines are prone to timing chain failure. I've scoured plenty of junkyards for parts for my Saturn, to see that the reason they were there is because the timing chain wore out the plastic(!) guides and made it's way out of the timing cover, even the valve cover before destroying the engine. VW VR6 engines suffered from early chain failure too, as do many other engines.
 
Nice work, I've got 72k on mine(non S/c), so it'll be awhile before it's due(not sure whether I wanna tackle it or not).
I'm a bit concerned about the belt---I've read about a couple failures. I also had a co-worker who had a 1999 Infiniti QX4, also VG33 powered, that had a timing belt failure at 78k.
From what I've read, the VG33 is an interference engine, meaning belt failure could equal $$$$$$$.
But on the other hand, I've read on a couple Frontier forums, about people who have gone way past the recommended 105k on them.
 
Nissan changed their interval to 105k from 60k (or 90?) when the VG33 returned in 2001. I'm guessing they modified something to increase it.

I've read of a couple belt failures at 140k+ on the newer engines, and surprisingly I've never heard of engine damage, they put a new belt on and drove away. So there's question on the Nissan forums as to whether it's really an interference engine or not.

Nissan recommends 105k for the '01 model year and I'm sure they have some idiot-proof factored in. Therefore I didn't fret when I went over the interval by 5k. But the truck in your sig is 8 years old, which plays a big factor, so you might consider it.

If you can pony up $50 for a Harbor Freight 1/2" impact, and have the standard hand tools and some experience with working on vehicles, it's not a tough task. I put together a how-to at http://www.nissanforums.com/frontier/153015-2001-timing-belt-replacement-w-pics.html#post1278271.
 
My dad's 2000 Quest has the VG33 in it. Although, it's not supercharged like yours and the engine is mounted at a different angle. I read somewhere (Wikipedia?) that when Ford and Nissan collaborated on the Quest/Villager that Ford requested the engine used be non-interference. My dad's van is 9 years old and 94k miles almost and it still has the original belt even though the recommended interval is 110k or 8 years. Maybe they adapted this from the earlier VG30 in the first gen Quest/Villager?

edit: This is about the first gen Quest but I think Nissan did adapt the non-interference design for VG33 engines. link
 
Last edited:
Ok I've seen the term alot lately. I think I know what an interference engine is, but I'm just clarifying. That means that if for some reason if the valvetrain stops, and some valves are stuck open, then the pistons will collide with the valves... Right?
 
Originally Posted By: rudolphna
Ok I've seen the term alot lately. I think I know what an interference engine is, but I'm just clarifying. That means that if for some reason if the valvetrain stops, and some valves are stuck open, then the pistons will collide with the valves... Right?


Exactly. If the belt breaks, some valves will inadvertently be stuck open. The piston then comes up and hits them, usually bending the valve. Pistons can often be damaged as well.
 
Originally Posted By: rudolphna
Ok I've seen the term alot lately. I think I know what an interference engine is, but I'm just clarifying. That means that if for some reason if the valvetrain stops, and some valves are stuck open, then the pistons will collide with the valves... Right?


Exactly. And you are guaranteed some of the valves will be stuck open. Usually most of them.
 
Ouch... I'm kind of glad I have a pushrod engine that has a very very short timing chain that will probably never *knocks on wood* need replaced.
 
Excellent work! That's about the perfect time to change out the T-belt IMO, ~8yrs/over 100Kmi. Nice clean truck for it's age. I do like Nissans (owned a few), but man do they make an ugly cluttered engine compartment. Are there cam covers buried under there somewhere!
33.gif
Surprized to see a distributer cap as opposed to coil-overs on such a deluxe package.

Joel
 
Nice photos! Just reading and looking at your photos, makes me glad I have timing chains. I'm glad manufacturers have gone to chains now, I won't buy a new car with a timing belt.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: asiancivicmaniac
I read somewhere (Wikipedia?) that when Ford and Nissan collaborated on the Quest/Villager that Ford requested the engine used be non-interference.


Ford has a general rule that anything with a timing belt be non-interference, at least in the US. if it has a chain, then it can be interference.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

G
Question: New Belt Tensioner w/Pic...
Replies
6
Views
387
Auto tech
U
problem with Gates serpentine belt kit
2
Replies
33
Views
3K
Legs4Arms
N
1988 F-150 4.9 Clutch and Timing gear replacement
2
Replies
21
Views
538
nwjones18
The Critic
Continental vs. Mitsuboshi vs. Gates Timing/Balancer Belts
Replies
4
Views
1K
The Critic
P
What could cause this belt wear?
Replies
13
Views
536
slybunda
Back
Top Bottom