Timing belt wrap procedure/ Cam Sprocket Removal help.

[emiliog2276]

So im thinking of doing the timing belt on my car on my own. Ive read all the step by step procedure online, plus a couple you tube videos and I had the service manual to fill in a couple of blanks.

I think i understand most of it but the main part im hesitant is the removal of the cam sprockets to replace the oil seals. Ive read the TTz walk through but im still not 100% on the subject.

How often do these oil seals fail? Should i even risk messing with this just to replace the seals? How would i know if i jumped a tooth or messed something up before re installing everything back up?

Also im a little confused when it comes to the auto-tensioner if im installing a new one do i have to put a screw into the retention hole and tighten that before installing it back?

Any other tips when it comes to the timing belt procedure would also be appreciated.

[itsa300zx]

I'd recommend doing the main seal, as the get hard over time, from the heat. Just make sure all cam and crank gear marks are lined up with the back cover dimples (this is TDC for #1). The new belt will have 5 white lines which correspond to each of the cam gears and crank; these need to line up with all 5 marks. Your new tensioner will have the retaining screw already installed, remove it only after everything is done. Double check timing belt alignment by counting the cogs between each cam gears as per FSM. Good luck. It actually pretty easy, just take your time and check over your work.

[emiliog2276]

For the main seal that would be the one that most people cut the Crankshaft sprocket gear to access it?

Also forgot to add my engine was swapped with a J30 engine, ive been led to believe that its identical to the Z's and the procedure would also be identical .

[itsa300zx]

Yes and yes

[Phan]

are you doing a 60k or 120k? 160k?

[emiliog2276]

120k

[nissanfreak12]

are you doing a 60k or 120k? 160k?

There really is no 160k belt service. The belts need to be changed every 60k miles or every 4 years due to rubber drying out and cycling through the heat ranges. There should be one at 180k, but that would be basically a 60k service as long as the 120k service was done before that. There is really no difference between 60k and 120k service except seals and miscellaneous parts that start to fail after 100k miles. Its just good practice to change everything when doing the belt due to extent what you have to remove and "since your in there" mentality. It would suck if you just changed the belt and maybe 5k miles later a seal goes, or a water pump, then redoing it all over again.

[nissanfreak12]

For the main seal that would be the one that most people cut the Crankshaft sprocket gear to access it?

Out of all the belts I have done, I have never been able to get the sprocket off without cutting it. Its so tight against the seal so your unable to get anything behind it or its frozen on the crank snout.

[t.mcginley.jr]

For the main seal that would be the one that most people cut the Crankshaft sprocket gear to access it?

Out of all the belts I have done, I have never been able to get the sprocket off without cutting it. Its so tight against the seal so your unable to get anything behind it or its frozen on the crank snout.

Cut a groove in it, smack it with a hammer and chisel, call it a day.

[emiliog2276]

Any tips for re installation? Do you just slide in the new sprocket, same goes for the Crank Sprocket Spacer front/rear? Do just tap in the Woodruff Key? Any chance the tapping with a hammer might move the engine from TDC ?

[nissanfreak12]

Once the old sprocket is off, woodruff key would just come right out. I would suggest a new one, but with it being half moon style, worse case take a small brass punch and tap it at the front tip. 99% of the time, you can pull the key with your fingers. The new sprocket slides right on. I would suggest using a grease on the snout and inside the sprocket. Makes life soo much easier. Once the sprocket is off though, replace the front seal ASAP. You don't want to get occupied and forget and install the sprocket without changing the seal. That sucks, specially when it needs it and starts leaking after 3k miles on the new timing belt.

[emiliog2276]

Once the old sprocket is off, woodruff key would just come right out. I would suggest a new one, but with it being half moon style, worse case take a small brass punch and tap it at the front tip. 99% of the time, you can pull the key with your fingers. The new sprocket slides right on. I would suggest using a grease on the snout and inside the sprocket. Makes life soo much easier. Once the sprocket is off though, replace the front seal ASAP. You don't want to get occupied and forget and install the sprocket without changing the seal. That sucks, specially when it needs it and starts leaking after 3k miles on the new timing belt.

Have you done the intake and exhaust camshaft oil seals? Do these ever go bad? I want to do these but im very uneasy on removing these sprockets since you can accidentally screw something up if the sprockets move when loosening the bolts holding them.

Thats why i was looking at the timing belt wrap method but im a little lost when it comes to this procedure. The service manual states a pulley holder as the tool of choice but i am yet to find a forum post or procedure that actually uses this tool.

[nissanfreak12]

Yes, cam seals need to be replaced as well. You do not want oil in the timing covers, or on the belt. If the cams move, it will not hurt anything as long as nothing is forced. The worse that happens is all the valves close, for the most part.

What I found to remove the exhaust pulleys is remove the cam covers, at the spot closest to the gears, there is a spot that you can hold it with a wrench. The Intake, I have had the best luck with the timing belt wrap method. The tool that is in the service manual is a Nissan Master Tech tool that is no longer made, available, or easy to find. Just make sure when you do the timing belt method, use the old belt. You will be surprised how many people use the new one without thinking.