Replacing the timing chain on a Nissan: recommendations for specific models

12.11.2019

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Issues discussed in the material:

What are the advantages of Nissan engines with chain drive?
What features of replacing the timing chain in Nissan need to be taken into account
How to replace the timing chain on different Nissan models

A malfunction such as timing chain stretching on Nissan cars causes controversy and disagreement among car owners. Service specialists diagnose problems using various methods. Analyzing the oscilloscope data showing that the crankshaft and camshaft sensors have become desynchronized, we can talk about chain stretching. However, not every owner is ready to immediately believe in the need for expensive repairs. In the article we’ll talk about what it means to replace a timing chain in a Nissan, which is carried out after a mileage of 170–200 thousand km.

The nuances of replacing the timing chain in Nissan

Many modern Nissan car engines are equipped with a chain drive gas distribution mechanism. Since the life of the chain is twice as long as the life of the timing belt, the motors are more reliable and, accordingly, are in increasing demand.

Timing chains for Nissan have their own advantages and disadvantages. The first includes the service life of the drive - it does not need to be replaced before noise appears; in some cases, cars have been driven with one chain for up to 500 thousand km.

Drive malfunctions can be judged by a characteristic tone similar to the sound of a running diesel engine. The problem may not lie in the drive itself, but may be caused by a failure of the tensioner or wear of the dampers. However, when faced with a sound uncharacteristic of the engine, the car owner is unlikely to ignore it without taking measures to identify the cause and eliminate the malfunction. A timing belt break always occurs unexpectedly, entailing bending of the valves in the cylinder head and significant costs for repair work.

The chain drive also has certain disadvantages:

increased noise during operation, even if the mechanism is working properly;
more complex replacement compared to a belt;
increased cost of spare parts.

Basically, Nissan chain-driven gasoline engines consist of a four-valve cylinder, two camshafts installed in the main cylinder block. Replacing the timing chain on a Nissan requires disassembling the front part of the engine, i.e. dismantling:

generator (air conditioning) belt;
crankshaft pulley;
valve cover;
front cover of the internal combustion engine;
camshaft sprockets;
engine mounting bracket (support) – if necessary;
engine crankcase.

The procedure for dismantling engine elements for subsequent replacement of the Nissan timing chain depends on the model of the internal combustion engine, the complexity of its design (for example, the Nissan Maxima power unit has a more complex design compared to the Nissan Almera internal combustion engine, and accordingly, the work will be more labor-intensive). In addition, a number of motors (such as GA 16) have two circuits:

the first transmits motion from the crankshaft to the intermediate gear;
with the help of the second, the movement is transmitted from the intermediate gear to the camshafts.

Chain drive malfunctions can be judged by:

Engine control system errors: - 0335 - indicates problems with the crankshaft; - 340 - probable camshaft malfunctions.
Problems starting the engine.
Floating speed at idle.
Feeling of failure of internal combustion engine traction while driving.
Uncharacteristic metallic sounds.

Significant stretching of the chain drive will cause a Check Engine light to appear on the dashboard, indicating errors generated by the crankshaft or camshaft sensors. A cold engine start may be accompanied by a characteristic metallic sound. Such symptoms require immediate contact with a service center: replacing the timing chain on cars of different years of manufacture

Over the years, Japanese Nissan Sunny cars were produced in different bodies. The most common models were No. 14 (produced from 1990 to 1995), No. 15 (produced from 1995 to 2000) and No. 16 (produced from 2000 to 2006). Most models were equipped with GA14, GA16, QG15DE, QG18DD engines of 1.4 l, 1.5 l, 1.6 l and 1.8 l.

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The power units in these car models have a transverse arrangement with four cylinders. Replacing the Nissan Sunny timing chain is quite simple. The main task is to correctly align the marks of the camshafts and crankshaft. To replace the drive, a few hours are enough, the maximum time required is one working day, however, it is better not to rush, performing the operation carefully and carefully.

You can assess the condition of the mechanism by examining the upper tensioner - a far protruding cylinder of the tensioner indicates stretching of the drive and the need to replace it.

Step-by-step description of replacing the Almera Classic timing chain

Under the hood of the Almera Classic QG16DE
The QG16DE Almera Classic internal combustion engine has a chain life of more than 150 thousand kilometers. The hydraulic tensioner maintains proper operation and prevents loosening of the drive. One of the main advantages of using a chain drive over a belt is longevity of operation: up to the service life of the internal combustion engine.

But there will come a time when the on-board computer suddenly gives a “Check engine” signal about a malfunction of the internal combustion engine. You will need computer diagnostics of the engine to find out the error code, and from it - a malfunction. Code 0330, 0340 comes from the timing sensor. In addition, symptoms indicating chain stretch will appear:

Chain tensioner bar

the engine is difficult to turn on;
rattling noise at idle speed, vibration;
acceleration power disappears;
metal shavings found in oil.

The best way to eliminate the possibility of serious engine damage is to replace the mechanical chain.

Required Tools

Without the right tools, service manual and some technical knowledge, doing a chain change yourself is a risky endeavor and can have serious consequences for your QG16DE engine if done incorrectly. In addition to the usual garage tools:

Chain tensioner

heads 12−14 mm;
adjustable and torque wrench;
hexagon 6 mm.

You will need special devices for fixing gears and sprockets. Prepare a container for oil and antifreeze. Clean the engine thoroughly with a suitable detergent before starting work. Remember that degreasers and oils that are washed off your engine will pose a threat to the environment.

Make sure you have chosen the correct chain, check the coding with the original numbers indicated in the manual: 13028-4M51A, 130284M51A, 13028-95F0B, 1302895F0B. Here are the other part numbers:

tensioner bar - 13091-7J600,
tensioner 1.5/1.8 - 13070-AU000,
damper - 13085-7J600,
oil nozzle N16 - 13081-4M500.

After purchasing the necessary materials, repairs begin.

Timing chain guide bar

Removing the old timing drive Almera Classic

Timing belt repair begins with de-energizing the Almera Classic ignition coil and disconnecting cables and connectors. The following is the sequence:

Dismantling the coils, marking where each one stood so as not to get confused when reassembling.
Remove the air duct clamps and remove the valve cover from them.
Unscrew the cover bolts according to the instructions.
We remove the right engine airbag.
Drain the oil into the prepared container through the drain hole.
Disconnect the oil filter.

QG16DE - Almera Classic engine

We drain the antifreeze through the lower radiator hose.
Removing the generator belt.
Radiator removal.
Release the upper pipe.
Remove the assembly of the unit head cover and the fan with clutch.
Disconnect the muffler and unscrew the 3 bolts.
Removing the pallet.
Removing the air conditioning and power steering belts.
We insert a block between the crankcase and the crankshaft; to install the pulley, you will need a head with an extension.
After unscrewing the water pump pulley, remove it from its seat
Remove the gasket under the pump.
Removing the oil pump.
Remove the right engine cover.
The timing belt is available, let's start replacing the timing drive with the Almera Classic.

QG16DE without valve cover

Installing a new chain

Now that the timing belt is visible, carefully study the marks on the gears of the QG16DE internal combustion engine shafts on the Almera Classic to understand how to combine them. Dismantling, replacement:

Rotating the crankshaft, set the first piston to the TDC position.
Lock the camshaft in this position,
Unscrew the camshaft gear bolts one by one.
We dismantle the upper and lower stabilizer bars, having first removed the hydraulic tensioner.
We pry the drive under the crankshaft gear with a flat-head screwdriver.

Now it can be easily removed.

Assembly

Before installation, clean the surfaces where the sealant will be applied. Check the wear of the removed components, replace defective parts:

rubber rings, bushings;
sealing gaskets;
pulleys,
filters, hoses.

Timing timing marks Almera Classic
The main thing during assembly is to maintain the correct position of the timing drive. Remember the bolt pulling force is 50 N*m. Insert the new chain from below until the black mark lines up with the mark on the crankshaft gear. The light marks on the camshaft gears will also match.

Make sure everything is done correctly before reassembling. Move the first cylinder from the TDC (top dead center) position by rotating the crankshaft until it reaches the TDC position again. Do the marks match? This means that the timing drive is assembled correctly.

Continue assembly in the reverse order, focusing on the correct pairing of the installed units.

How to replace a chain in a Nissan Note

The first generation Nissan Note cars were equipped with an internal combustion engine with a chain drive CR14DE with a volume of 1.4 liters and HR16DE with a volume of 1.6 liters. Both had four cylinders with four valves in each of them. The manufacturer recommends replacing the timing chain in Nissan every 120 thousand km, although their service life is much longer - a number of car owners change the drive after 150 thousand km. The key to long timing life is good oil and its timely replacement.

A drive malfunction can be judged by:

difficulties with cold engine starting;
failures in the operation of the power unit at idle;
the appearance of metallic sounds at idle speed.

The problem may be, in addition to drive stretching, a failure of the tensioner. To eliminate the problem, the tensioner must be replaced. The operation does not require significant time and labor costs.

Replacing the timing chain on a Nissan: recommendations for specific models

12.11.2019
Issues discussed in the material:

Features of replacing the timing chain in Nissan Almera

From 1995 to 2000 The Nissan concern produced Nissan Almera cars in body number 15 with GA14DE and GA16DE gasoline engines of 1.4 and 1.6 liters. Since 1996, two-liter SR20DE engines have been installed on the car. Identical in design, GA14 and GA16 differed only in volume.

In 2000–2006 Nissan Almera was produced in body number 16, equipped with four-cylinder gasoline engines QG15DE and QG18DE with a volume of 1.5 liters and 1.8 liters, respectively. The timing drive of all power units was chain driven, and the mechanism itself was highly reliable. The first problems with the drive arose after about 200 thousand km.

However, when faced with extraneous sounds, you will have to replace the entire mechanism, consisting of (for the QG series power unit):

tensioner;
top and side dampers;
shoe;
chains;
two camshaft sprockets (gears);
crankshaft sprockets;

The Nissan timing chain replacement kit for GA power units includes two chains, two tensioners, but does not have an upper stabilizer. The SR20DE timing belt (2L) consists of a chain, upper and side stabilizers, a shoe, a tensioner, a crankshaft gear and two camshaft gears. To replace the SR20DE engine drive, it is necessary to disassemble the front part of the engine, remove the valve cover and crankcase protection.

Replacing the timing chain in a Nissan Primera

The Nissan Primera in the P10 body was presented to the public in 1996, then the cars were produced in the P11 and P12 bodies. Since 2008, production of the Nissan Primera has ceased. The cars were equipped with gasoline engines with a timing chain drive:

GA16;
SR18;
SR20.

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The QR models that replaced the SR series engines were equipped with the Nissan X-Trail, Serena, and Teana. It is better to entrust the replacement of the timing chain on a Nissan Primera (QR series) to car service specialists. The operation is performed on average within 9–12 hours, but lack of skills can significantly increase the time spent.

Tools and spare parts

It is better to unscrew the spark plugs.
Timely replacement of the timing chain will save you from additional financial costs in the event of a break while the engine is running. Then, most likely, you will have to change the entire engine. First, inspect the tensioner. The second stage of the test is to disassemble the QG18DE engine, visually inspect the chain links and components: guide bars, sprockets on the shafts.

For replacement, prepare original parts:

Timing chain QG18DE - 13028-4M51A
guide bar - 13085-7J600
damper - 13091-7J600
O-rings for pump and oil pump - 15066-5E510
valve cover gasket -13270-95FOB
crankshaft oil seal - 13510-95FOA
hydraulic tensioner - 13070-95FOA

Disconnect the wires and unscrew the engine mount.
You will need tools and accessories:

pulley and sprocket puller
set of keys, sockets, screwdrivers
jack
punch
hammer
cleaning material
penetrating lubricant
Reinzosil sealant,
silicone solvent
pliers
adjustable and torque wrenches.

Features of replacing the timing chain in the Nissan X-Trail

Since 2001, the concern has been producing Nissan X-Trail cars. They were produced in three body styles - T30, T31 and T32. The first generation was equipped with four-cylinder engines QR20DE and QR25DE; in the second generation, the two-liter MR20DE was replaced by the MR20DE model.

Stretching of the gas distribution mechanism drive on QR engines occurs after the vehicle has traveled 150 thousand km. Problems are indicated by:

reduction in power unit power;
tripping at idle;
noises when the engine is idling.

Replacing the timing chain on a Nissan X-Trail (MR20DE) includes replacing:

two chains (main and oil pump drive);
balance shaft gears;
two camshaft gears;
crankshaft gears;
upper and lower tensioners;
shoe

The double-row crankshaft gear causes the camshafts and balancer shaft of the power unit to move.

Quickly change the QG18DE chain

Replacing the chain using the pulling method occurs without removing the front cover, replacing the tensioner, shoes and other components. The essence of the method is to pull through a new drive using the old chain. We use the same tools as above. Let's look at the example of a similar 4-cylinder engine.

Opening the circuit

We proceed in the following sequence:

We fix the camshafts in the TDC position of the piston of the first cylinder.
We mark where the chain marks are located on the sprockets. Using a marker, place a mark on the KV pulley.
Using a tool for pressing out the links, we disconnect the new drive.
We do the same with the old chain. We disconnect it on the third link from the mark, just like on the new one. Secure the drive with plates or wire to prevent it from slipping down. Make sure nothing falls into the engine!
We temporarily connect the old and new. At the inlet we connect the link with an M3 bolt, and at the outlet we connect it with copper wire.
We drag the drive. We disconnect temporary connections, connect the links. Checking the marks. Make sure that the mark on the HF pulley also matches.

The method allows you to quickly replace the timing chain, but doing this without a device for pressing out the links is quite difficult, so think about it before making such a decision.

Connecting the chain

Replacing a chain in a Nissan Maxima

Since 1984, the Nissan concern has produced 8 generations of Nissan Maxima cars. They were equipped with V-shaped 6-cylinder engines, in most cases the VQ series (VQ30DE, VQ35DE) with a volume of 3.0 and 3.5 liters.

VQ series engines have the most complex gas distribution mechanism, consisting of:

three chains (main and two – drive balancer shafts);
two large camshaft sprockets;
four small camshaft sprockets;
one crankshaft sprocket;
five tensioners;
shoe (side damper);
upper damper.

The cost of a timing kit varies from 6.5 to 9.5 thousand rubles.

The algorithm of actions when replacing the timing chain on a Nissan Maxima (with a QX A32 series engine) will be as follows:

dismantling the air conditioning compressor;
generator dismantling;
removing the power steering pump;
dismantling camshaft and crankshaft sensors;
removing the crankshaft pulley;
removing the starter.

After this, the lubricating fluid is drained from the engine crankcase, for which the bolts of the lower protection are unscrewed and the main pan is removed. You can make it easier to replace the components of the unit by dismantling the radiator, as well as the right engine mount. To remove the power unit support, you need to jack up the engine and then remove the front cover of the internal combustion engine.

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Having finished dismantling the cover, you need to set marks on the gears, and then remove all timing elements. Replacement required:

hydraulic tensioner (on the left side when looking at the engine from the front);
upper damper;
shoe;
big chain.

Due to the complexity and labor-intensive work of replacing the timing chain on a Nissan Maxima, it is better not to carry out repairs yourself, but to contact a specialized service.

Replacing the Almera Classic timing chain using the pulling method

The method provides for replacement without resorting to large-scale disassembly. The essence of the method is to separate the old and new chains. Then, they are connected and, by turning the crankshaft, the replacement occurs. The marks are combined, the old chain is released, and the link is connected. Need some plumbing skills and an assistant. It’s a good idea to purchase a tool for replacing links. So let's get started:

Having done the preparatory work, as in the case described above, we open the top valve cover.
We unscrew the spark plugs to make it easier to turn the crankshaft by hand.

Timing chain Almera Classic
We fix the camshaft, the old chain, rivet it in the place between the gears (exactly in the middle). Here you must not drop anything, make sure that the ends of the chain do not slip down. Pay attention to the photo here between marks 1 and 2 there are 11 links. We disconnect link 3.

We disconnect the new timing drive in the same way.
Then we splice the links of the old and new.
We remove the latch.
Holding the chain under tension on both sides, rotate the crankshaft.
Gradually the chain will be completely replaced.
The broach is done.
Now we need to disconnect the old chain.
We splice the link.

If the chain did not slip during replacement, the marks will match. Now you need to set the first piston to the TDC position and look at the location of the marks. If they match, then the replacement was successful.

Replacing the timing chain: practice of car owners

“The idle is floating - change it.” You will have to think about replacing the timing chain on a Nissan when the idle speed starts to fluctuate, this usually happens after 300 thousand kilometers. Although they say that you can drive 500 thousand km with one chain.
“I changed everything at once for 30 thousand rubles.” .When I drove 215 thousand km, I replaced both chains, tensioners, dampers, and the lower sprocket. I changed it because the cold engine was knocking loudly, the knocking stopped only after warming up. The cost of replacing the timing chain on a Nissan was about 30 thousand rubles.
“Officials and unofficials.” Dealers advise making a replacement after 100 thousand km. In reality, the chain travels three times as far as the belt. In general, after 200 thousand km you can think about it. You can drive 300 thousand km and there is no need for repair or replacement of the drive. But if such a need arises, then, in addition to the chain, you also need to change the damper and tensioner.
“The original oil delays the time of replacement.” I won’t say anything about the resource, but I’ve already driven 200 thousand km, and there seems to be no need for replacement. True, I change the oil regularly, every 5–7 thousand km, and fill only with original oil.
“Suspicious sounds when cold.” After 200 thousand km, everything looks fine with the camshafts, but when the engine is cold, it starts ringing for a couple of seconds, then when it warms up to 600 rpm and in the interval between 2,000 and 2,400 rpm. I think it's the sedative.