### Timing Belt/Cover

#### REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

##### 200SX (CA Series Engines)

Fig. 1: Timing marks for finding TDC — CA series engines

Fig. 2: Timing belt assembly — CA series engines

Fig. 3: Timing belt with covers removed

Fig. 4: Timing belt installation — CA series engines

Fig. 5: Installing the belt tensioner and return spring

Fig. 6: Spin the tensioner pulley to make sure it works smoothly

Fig. 7: Set the tensioner spring by first hooking one end to the side of bolt "B", then the other end to the tensioner pawl bracket

1. Remove the battery ground cable. Release the fuel pressure.
2. On the CA20E engine, remove the air intake ducts.
3. Remove the cooling fan.
4. Remove the power steering, alternator, and air conditioner compressor belts if so equipped.
5. Set the No. 1 cylinder at TDC on the compression stroke. The accompanying illustration shows the timing mark alignment for TDC.
6. Remove the front upper and lower timing belt covers.
7. Loosen the timing belt tensioner and return spring, then remove the timing belt.

   To install:

8. Carefully inspect the condition of the timing belt. There should be no breaks or cracks anywhere on the belt. Especially check around the bottoms of the teeth, where they intersect the belt; cracks often show up here. Evidence of any wear or damage on the belt means the belt should be replaced.
9. To install the belt, first make sure that No. 1 cylinder is set at TDC on compression. Install the belt tensioner and return spring.

   NOTE: If the coarse stud has been removed, apply Loctite® or another locking thread sealer to the stud threads before installing.

10. Make sure the tensioner bolts are not securely tightened before the drive belt is installed. Make sure the tensioner pulley can be rotated smoothly.
11. Make sure the timing belt is in good condition and clean. Do not bend it. Place the belt in position, aligning the white lines on the timing belt with the punch mark on the camshaft pulleys and the crankshaft pulley. Make sure the arrow on the belt is pointing toward the front belt covers.
12. Tighten the belt tensioner and assemble the spring. To set the spring, first hook one end on bolt B side, then hook the other end on the tensioner bracket pawl. Rotate the crankshaft two turns clockwise, then tighten bolt B then bolt A. At this point, belt tension will automatically be at the specified value.
13. Install the upper and lower timing belt covers.
14. Install and adjust all the drive belts.
15. Install the cooling fan and reconnect the air intake ducts on the CA20E engine.
16. Connect the battery cable, start engine and check the ignition timing.

##### 200SX (VG30E Engine) — 1987 Models

Fig. 8: Exploded view of timing belt — 200SX VG30E engine

Fig. 9: Set No. 1 cylinder at TDC on compression stroke — 200SX VG30E engine

Fig. 10: Timing marks — 200SX VG30E engine

Fig. 11: Set tensioner after timing belt installation — 1987 200SX VG30E engine

Fig. 12: Tensioner assembly — 200SX VG30E engine

Fig. 13: Bolt location of right side rocker shafts — 200SX VG30E engine

Fig. 14: Bolt location of left side rocker shafts — 200SX VG30E engine

Fig. 15: Timing belt cover bolt locations — 200SX VG30E engine

Fig. 16: Installing drive belts in correct position — 200SX VG30E engine

NOTE: After removing timing belt, do not rotate crankshaft and camshaft separately, because valves will hit piston heads. Review the complete procedure before starting this repair.

NOTE: Timing belt replacement is 60,000 miles — this interval is recommended by Nissan for reliable vehicle operation.

1. Raise vehicle and safely support.
2. Remove the engine under covers and drain engine coolant from the radiator. Be careful not to allow coolant to contact drive belts.
3. Remove the front right side wheel and tire assembly. Remove the engine side cover.
4. Remove the engine coolant reservoir tank and radiator hoses.
5. Remove the A.S.C.D. (speed control device) actuator.
6. Remove all the drive belts from the engine. When removing the power steering drive belt, loosen the idler pulley from the right side wheel housing.
7. Remove the idler bracket of the compressor drive belt and crankshaft pulley.
8. Remove the timing belt covers. Rotate the engine with a socket wrench on the crankshaft pulley bolt to align the two sets of timing marks. The marks are on the camshaft pulleys and rear belt covers.
9. Remove the rocker covers. Loosen the rocker shaft securing bolts so that rockers will no longer bear on the cam lobes. Remove all spark plugs.
10. Use a hexagon wrench to turn the belt tensioner clockwise and tighten the tensioner lock-nut just enough to hold the tensioner in position. This is done to remove tension. Then, remove the old belt.

    NOTE: Be careful not to bend the new belt installing it. Timing belts are designed to flex only the way they turn around the pulleys.

    To install:

11. Make sure that all pulleys and the belt are free of oil and water. Install the new belt, aligning the arrow on the timing belt forward. Align the white lines on the timing belt with the punchmarks on all three pulleys.
12. Loosen the tensioner lock-nut to allow spring tension to tension the belt. Then, using the hexagon wrench, turn the tensioner first clockwise, then counterclockwise in three cycles. This will seat the belt. Now, torque the tensioner lock-nut to 32–43 ft. lbs.
13. Tighten rocker shaft bolts alternately in three stages. Before tightening each pair of bolts, turn the engine over so the affected rocker will not touch its cam lobe. Final torque is 13–16 ft. lbs. Install the rocker covers with new gaskets.
14. Install lower and upper timing belt covers.
15. Install crankshaft pulley and idler bracket of the compressor drive belt. Tighten the crankshaft pulley bolt to 90–98 ft. lbs.
16. Install the drive belts. Clean and regap the spark plugs if necessary then install in the cylinder head.
17. Install the coolant reservoir tank, radiator hoses, A.S.C.D. actuator.
18. Install the right front wheel. Install engine under cover and side covers.
19. Refill the cooling system. Check ignition timing and roadtest for proper operation.

##### 200SX (VG30E Engine) — 1988 Models

Timing belt replacement is 60,000 miles — this interval is recommended by Nissan for reliable vehicle operation.

On this model year timing belt removal and installation is the same. Use the above procedure with the exception that the rocker covers and rocker shafts bolts are not removed, but the spark plugs are still removed. The timing belt is installed and adjusted as follows:

1. 1.Confirm that No. 1 cylinder is at TDC on its compression stroke. Install tensioner and tensioner spring. If stud is removed apply locking sealant to threads before installing.
2. Swing tensioner fully clockwise with hexagon wrench and temporarily tighten lock-nut.
3. Set timing belt, align the arrow on the timing belt forward. Align the white lines on the timing belt with the punchmarks on all three pulleys.

   NOTE: There are 133 total timing belt teeth. If timing belt is installed correctly there will be 40 teeth between left-hand and right-hand camshaft sprocket timing marks. There will be 43 teeth between left-hand camshaft sprocket and crankshaft sprocket timing marks.

4. Loosen tensioner lock-nut, keeping tensioner steady with a hexagon wrench.
5. Swing tensioner 70–80°clockwise with hexagon wrench and temporarily tighten lock-nut.
6. Install all the spark plugs. Turn crankshaft clockwise 2 or 3 times, then slowly set No. 1 cylinder at TDC on its compression stroke.
7. Push middle of timing belt between right-hand camshaft sprocket and tensioner pulley with a force of 22 ft. lbs.
8. Loosen tensioner lock-nut, keeping tensioner steady with a hexagon wrench.
9. Using a feeler gauge or equivalent as shown in the illustration which is 0.35mm thick and 13mm wide, set gauge at the bottom of tensioner pulley and timing belt. Turn crankshaft clockwise and position gauge completely between tensioner pulley and timing belt. The timing belt will move about 2.5 teeth.
10. Tighten tensioner lock-nut, keeping tensioner steady with a hexagon wrench.
11. Turn crankshaft clockwise or counterclockwise and remove the gauge.
12. Rotate the engine 3 times, then set No. 1 at TDC on its compression stroke.
13. Check timing belt deflection on 1988 model year only. Timing belt deflection is 13.0–14.5mm at 22 lbs. of pressure. If it is out of specified range, readjust the timing belt.

    Fig. 17: Set tensioner after timing belt installation — 1988 200SX VG30E engine

    Fig. 18: Apply force at marked position then loosen tensioner

    Fig. 19: Set thickness gauge first at this location

    Fig. 20: Thickness gauge in correct position for proper adjustment

    Fig. 21: Check timing belt deflection — 1988 200SX VG30E engine

##### Stanza (CA Series Engine)

NOTE: For additional information, refer to 200SX (C Series Engine) service procedures and illustrations.

###### FRONT COVER

1. Disconnect the battery cables. Remove the upper and lower alternator securing bolts until the alternator can be moved enough to remove the drive belt from the pulley.
2. Loosen the idler pulley lock-nut and turn the adjusting bolt until the air conditioner compressor belt can be removed.
3. Unbolt and remove the crankshaft pulley, removing the alternator belt along with it. Remove the crankshaft damper.
4. Unbolt and remove the water pump pulley.
5. Remove the upper and lower timing belt covers and their gaskets. If the gaskets are in good condition after removal, they can be reused; if they are in way damaged or broken, replace them.

   To install:

6. Install the timing belt covers in place. Torque the front cover bolts evenly to 2.2–3.6 ft. lbs; torque the crank pulley damper bolt to 90–98 ft. lbs.; torque the crank pulley bolt to 9–10 ft. lbs.; torque the water pump pulley bolts to 4.3–7 ft. lbs.
7. Install and adjust all drive belts.
8. Connect the battery cables and start engine.

###### TIMING BELT/CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL

1. Refer to the Timing Belt Front Cover, Removal and Installation procedures, in this section and remove the timing cover assembly.
2. If necessary, remove the spark plug, then turn the crankshaft to position the No. 1 piston at TDC of the compression stroke.

   NOTE: Note the position of the timing marks on the camshaft sprocket, the timing belt and the crankshaft sprocket (see illustrations).

3. Loosen and/or remove the timing belt tensioner. Mark the rotation direction of the timing belt, then remove it from the sprockets.
4. To remove the front oil seal, pull off the crankshaft sprocket, then pry out the oil seal with a small pry bar (be careful not to scratch the crankshaft).
5. Clean the oil seal mounting surface.
6. Install a new oil seal, the timing belt and tensioner. Torque the tensioner pulley bolts to 13–16 ft. lbs., the timing cover bolts to 2.5–4 ft. lbs., the crankshaft pulley bolt to 90–98 ft. lbs.
7. Install the timing belt covers.
8. Start engine and check timing. Road test the vehicle.

   Fig. 22: Timing mark alignment — Stanza CA20 engine