timing advice on 04 maxima

[explicit.muscle]

I need some help with the timing chain on the 04 max. Im using the fsm, but it isnt to clear. I know how to get tdc on cylinder 1, but how do i align the timing chain with the left bank of cylinders. how do I know which cycle it is running in? pics or diagrams would be useful. The part im having trouble with is i line up the chains where theyre supposed to be, with the punches lined up with the dark links, and the crank sprocket lined up with the gold and the key facing the rear bank. but i spun it around like ten times, and they wont line up anymore. what could i be doing wrong?

[Fezzik]

I'm sorry i am no help here as I have never changed the timing chain on a nissan. May I ask why are you changing it on an 04?

[explicit.muscle]

I was replacing the timing chain tensioner and guide because of that dreaded rattle (which the guide was broken). While I was changing them out, the chain slipped because of the pressure on the cams. I wasn't really changing the chain, I just wanted to know how to line it back up. Oh, and to top it off, after I had gotten it lined back up, I started the motor without the timing cover on to make sure the timing was correct, and the key for the crank sproket flew out, and the result is 10 bent valves, all on the intake side. Just my luck.


So this is what my Max looks like right now---------------------->

[the converted]

Man that sucks. I haven't done a VQ but it looks like it's typical nissan. If you put the cams like it shows in the manual they will be in the ball park of where they should be. Then take the gears and line up the gold link on the chain with the timing dots on the gears. Same idea for the big chain too. If that's too vague, let me know and I'll go into more detail. Also, make sure that they are lined up before you turn anything. It takes a ton of turns before the gold link will line up again.

Good luck and I hope that the rest of it goes a little easier for you!

[explicit.muscle]

Well my screw up has cost me about $160 so far to get all new valves and to have them installed. Valves from my dealership were $10 each(i replaced all 12 of the intake valves), but I found them on 1staaanissanparts.com, out of Buffalo, NY, and having them overnighted from new york to south texas only cost me $86. They charged me less than $4 a valve!!!!!!! Well I have learned from my mistake and the whole time i've been waiting for parts, I've been researching how to line up the chain, so I think I've got it down now.(hopefully)

[explicit.muscle]

Well I got the Max back together and its running well. Thanx to all the people who helped out. Couldn't have done it without ya'lls help, especially THE CONVERTED

[the converted]

Glad I could help, and it's even happier that it's running again.

[explicit.muscle]

Nice to see that ppl still help out on forums instead of ppl telling me to search for the answer

[the converted]

Well you asked more of a "clarify this for me" kind of question, so those always get answers. As far as your whole replacement or the guide goes, where exactly was it broken because I have a bit of rattle myself. I'm also trying to figure out if there is enough room in there to do it without trying to move the engine over.

[explicit.muscle]

I think there is plenty of room. Im 6'4"tall and almost 300lbs and I fit in there just fine with my big hands. It was broken at the top of the guide, allowing the plastic part to slide down and the tensioner to make contact with the metal on the guide.

[the converted]

Well, that could definitely be a problem. I think I'm going to pop the little inspection cover off and make sure that mine isn't like that. Did you have a timing rattle all the time with that?

[explicit.muscle]

yes. all the time. at first i thought it was a lifter(im used to pushrod v8s) so i checked them out, and they were all fine. i did some research and found out about the guide problem, and checked it out. sure enough, that was it.