Timing belt

[uhrlto]

Hello Everyone,
This is a question about the tensioner in a 93 300zx. I bought this car in March 2011. The previous owner told me that he replaced the timing belt and water pump in March of 2010. He figured the mileage at about 91500 at the time of replacement. I have a receipt for the replaced parts dated in March of 2010 that he gave me with the car, he also told me he did the work himself. After reading on this site just how IMPORTANT this belt is and the kind of damage that can happen if it breaks, I'm curious, if he did not replace the tensioner, and he said he did not, what kind of jeopardy am I in. I've read that the tensioner should be replaced with the belt. Right now the car has about 94500 miles on it. Should I tear it all down and replace the tensioner or wait until the next belt replacement?

Thanks

Tony

[nissangirl74]

You should not have any issues, tensioner fail is very rare in most Nissans. You should be fine until it is time to replace the belts again.

[Ace2cool]

Just monitor it regularly. The DS cover is relatively easy to take off. Every week or so, just make sure it isn't loose.

[marty1mc]

How mechanically inclined are you? Do you have confidence to change a timing belt? If so, then I would pull it down and inspect it. If you spin the tensioner and idler pulleys, you can listen for the sound like sand is in them. That is a sure sign they need replaced. Also, I would inspect what pulley studs you have on there. The factory studs tend to break (I.E. - they snap and your motor is toast). I would replace those with Ramey studs which have a beefy base and much more reliable.

While I was in there I would check the seals for cam and crank as well. It would only take an afternoon to do it, but it depends on your ability.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Previous owner waited too long to do the 60K. It's not a 90K service. Personally if you can do it, I would follow Marty's advice.

The tensioner has 2 failure modes. 1) the pulley fails, 2) the tensioner looses tension, creating a slacked belt.

[uhrlto]

I have super good mech skills, been doing car repair since I was 17, I'm 55 now, so I can do the work myself. I also dont trust most mechanics to do the job right, living by the adage "if you want it right, do it yourself'. Having said all that I believe ill order a complete repair kit and do it all over again. It dose seem a complete waste to loose a timing belt that only has about 5000 miles on it, but I suppose thats a price I'll have to pay for the knowledge the motor wont lock up.

Tony

[marty1mc]

Good move. You sound a lot like me. I don't trust anyone either and if I was opening the thing up and taking it down, I would put on a new belt as well. Who knows if it has only 5k or 20k on it. For $35 you can sleep at night. Order the 120k kit with idler pulleys, new tensioner, ramey studs. You may also want to consider getting the silicone bypass hoses.

Good luck.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Good move. You sound a lot like me. I don't trust anyone either and if I was opening the thing up and taking it down, I would put on a new belt as well. Who knows if it has only 5k or 20k on it. For $35 you can sleep at night. Order the 120k kit with idler pulleys, new tensioner, ramey studs. You may also want to consider getting the silicone bypass hoses.

Good luck.

IMHO, the kit on the right is the best move.