Cambelt enquiry

[ZXJ]

Hi all,

I've recently purchased my first Z, obviously the first things to do is the replace the cambelt, the car is JDM spec, though on the engine bay it has a plaque of cambelt changed at 71km, the replacement was done in july 2012. the zed has covered 20k (miles) since then (speedo was converted to mph), so in translation it currently sits 90+km.

Should the car need the cambelt changing at this point? I'm in mindset whether to have the injectors and starter motor changed, or the cambelt, injectors because the car is running slightly rough.

Thanks all

[ZXJ]

[nissanfreak12]

Are you 100% sure the belt was changed? Cannot always go on the marking that was put on the timing belt covers. Remember this is an interference motor, if it breaks, it will normally cause catastrophic damage. Not to scare you.

Why do you want to change your starter? That only starts the car, has nothing to with it after it starts. If its hard starting, check the grounds and battery first, makes sure those are good and strong.

Car running rough, check the injectors. Grab an ohm meter and test them. They should be between 10-14 ohms. If out of that, they are bad. Check all connections for green corrosion, that will also cause a lot of issues.

[ZXJ]

I'm not 100%, it only says on the sticker, I want to change the starter because when I crank it over as of late, it makes a horrible noise instead, and its getting worse and worse, and the part is quite expensive in the uk!

I'm very certain the injectors need replacing, she's not too rough but, you can hear the thumpy noises, though into account your mention of ''catastrophic damage'' is a bit worrying haha, are there any symptoms as opposed to mileage and age that the cambelt will need replacing? noses, codes, anything like that?

Thanks again, Nissanfreak

[nissanfreak12]

Nope mileage and age are everything why the belt needs changed. Rubber loses its elasticity, dries and and stretches with age and heat. Think how much engines goes through heat cycles. They can look perfect, feel fine, but all it takes is one crack and or a rib to break, fiber to tear, and snap it goes. The idea is not to scare you, but to take care of the car. Would you rather change a $15 part or a $1000+ for an engine, both ar not including labor.

Timing belt, there is more that goes with it, bearings, tensioner, coolant hoses, bypass hose. Basically look up a 120k kit, that is honestly the best thing to get when changing it. Word of advice, don't go cheap.

[z.Leinbach]

Nissan genuine is stupid expensive state side. So there's no telling how expensive it could be where you are. Should so spark plugs too that will help bring the zed back to life alil bit it. Certainly did with mine.

[ZXJ]

Thanks all, I will make the timing belt priority, I changed the sparks, helped a little bit, not great results, the old ones were black! I noticed also the car was sat not running for two years while it got imported here looking at its history, I'm in the process of replacing a lot of parts, however the timing belt is something I can't do on my own

[z.Leinbach]

The timing belt although they say is hard to do. It's really not. Just redundant work really. Gotta take alot off to get to the belt. (hoses, intake hoses, intercooler hoses if its a turbo car, fan and shourd stuff like that.) just gather up some mates and go for it

[ZXJ]

There is a full guide on YouTube I think regarding th cambelt, it's a two day job for them with a lot of tools, I don't have much tools at hand to perform this, I've been quoted a good price for the cambelt changing. Sucks..

Also without starting too many threads can someone tell me does this part meant to smell of gas? Because a strong smell is coming from this area, I think It's this.. What is it?

[nissanfreak12]

There is a full guide on YouTube I think regarding th cambelt, it's a two day job for them with a lot of tools, I don't have much tools at hand to perform this, I've been quoted a good price for the cambelt changing. Sucks..

Also without starting too many threads can someone tell me does this part meant to smell of gas? Because a strong smell is coming from this area, I think It's this.. What is it?

That is the Fuel Pressure Regulator, but the fuel smell can be loose clamps, a cracked hose, or a FPR. Either way, fix it before you drive it. You don't want a car-b-que. Colder weather will do that to clamps.

[nissanfreak12]

OP, if you decide to tackle the belt yourself, I would highly recommend having someone there that has done one before if you decide to tackle it. If not, count the cogs before starting the car, count them 2-3 times.

[ZXJ]

Thanks for the help guys, I've ordered new fuel hose pipes, I believe they're 8mm in size, I also bought a new FPR valve (costly) and I'm still undecided about changing the timing myself, I can do it, but it's something I really don't want to mess up, I also bought new thermostat and will order myself new hoses if I decide to go ahead with the change.

If anyone has any tips please let me know to make the job easier if i decide to tackle it myself, i dont think I need new pulleys as of yet, she's only done 90km I believe the new pulleys should be changed at 120k MILES. I will also order a new water pump too

[z.Leinbach]

Don't forget tensioners, front cam seals, and front main seal. And luckily with these cars, once the cams are positioned they don't spring forward or backwards

[ZXJ]

Darn; I might as well try and do this myself, I think there are plenty of video guides available on YouTube, I've always worked on my cars so I might as well try, seen as though I need to replace tensioner, pulleys and seals it will cost my way more given the quote at a garage for just a belt replacing hmmm bank is on fire this month

[z.Leinbach]

For me here in Washington state. At Nissan with genuine parts of course. Was 675$ after tax for just parts now add 7 hours in labor. Plus coolant and such... Ya around a good 1300.. Now thankfully I work at Toyota. Haha and can have access to a lift stall and tools and make that around 400$ (just as good parts)