Hi,I am currently changing the timing belt on my 01 Xterra XE 3.3L V6. I have evertything out that needs to be out and I have already swapped out the water pump and thermostat. I need help setting my timing belt, tensioner, cam shafts and crankshaft. I went to set the #1 piston at TDC and I think it's there. I looked and I can't find a marking around the crankshaft... Can anyone help guide me through this process?... I'm used the volkswagens... they're a lot easier than this.
Thanks!!!
01 Xterra Timing belt change... PLEASE HELP!
I hope you set it to TDC before you pulled the belt off. This is an interferance motor. Valves WILL be hit and bent if you rotate the crank with the belt off. Your mark on the crank is to the drivers side on the silver oil pump housing lip. These marks on the exterior portions are not really important if you are installing a factory t-belt. There are 3 lines on the belt. 1 is a dotted line. That lines up with the timing dot on the passenger side cam gear. when standing in front of the motor you should be able to read the tbelt lettering, also there is an arrow that will point toward the front of the car. Once you have the belt oriented on the right cam and facing the right direction you just match the other 2 solid lines with the marks on the other cam and crank gears. Dont worry about the illusion the dots on the timing cover dont exactly line up with whats on the gears. They will appear to be slightly off.
Re: (NISTECH)
Thanks. for the info. I did set the #1 at TDC before I tooked the belt off, but now I have another problem... the engine won't turn over. I can hear the starter turning, but the engine wont turn. I thought it was the battery at first and had a friend give me a jump. But that didn't help. There is gas in the tank. I took out the #1 spark plug and it smells of gas. What could be the problem?... When I put the spark plugs back, I did get new ones. They aren't as good as the ones I replaced, but they will do. They are Bosch Super plugs... the #6 plug was a son of a ***** to change.... almost lost a hand... This whole project has been a nightmare and I just want to be able to get around again without bumming a ride... PLEASE HELP!!!
Re: (NISTECH)
I actually had the timing off, so I had a wonderful time today stripping my car completely down and setting the time again... I am definitely good to go now... Yeah, the Bosch plugs haven't given me problems in that engine before, so I decided to stick with what I know works. I know I should have gone with NGK's, but the guy at the AutoZone out here kind of looked at me like I was retatrded when I said NGK and claimed to be out of stock. Typical AutoZone Employee (No Offense). All-in-all, this was a great experience in learning this engine and I should be good for another 100,000 miles... as far as that goes... Thanks again!!!