When I first did my vg30 timing belt I threw that spring away. Couldn’t figure it out lol. 3 timing belts later I bought a new one from Nissan and I’m gonna give a shot
Thanks for this explanation! With this method, do you not need to remove the valve covers and undue the cam bolts to set proper tension? I know the SM calls for this step for proper tension etc.
I have never had to release the tension through the rockers. What I do is set the motor to TDC, the. With the timing covers off, you can use the crank bolt to ever so slightly release the belt tension by gently rotating the crank CCW. You will see the belt gain slack.
I like this trick, thanks for posting! Question, is it possible to clock the spring too many times? (Not that you would want to, but...) I installed the belt with the tensioner removed, then put on the tensioner, and at first, there was no tension on the spring. Found a video where they did it that way, but then manually rotated the spring counterclockwise until it was properly positioned against the stud. Now at that point, is the tension properly set, and leave it alone? Or is it ok to use your method and clock the spring from there?
You definitely do not want to clock or rotate it more than once. You can most certainly still clock the tensioner where you're at now. Just do it like in the video and off you go!
Do you have any tips on how to proceed if the cam gears are out of time, I'm doing my belt on a 33 rn and no matter how much I spun the crank the only two that would line up was the driver side cam and crank. The passenger just won't line up, always a bit off and my cams are covered in a couple other marking from the previous owner I presume.
I just did my belt tonight, and put on a new spring and tensioner. I had to tighten the spring up to get the new belt to fit on, but now, the spring "notch" is not resting on the stud, and i cant spin it over enough to get it to, because the timing belt is applying too much pressure for me to fight agianst. The tining is correct and it is hand cranking well, and it does not feel too tight, but I'm hesitant to put it all back together with the spring looking wrong. Any idea as to what's going on in my situation?
@z31online Yep, I even pulled the nut all the way off to try. I can't turn the tensioner a full rotation with the allen key, there's too much resistance from the timing belt pressing against it. I'm not sure why my belt is so tight against the tensor and crankshaft, because my teeth counts are all good. The "notch" on the spring is pointing down, under the bolt it should be resting on. It's driving me mad, especially because the belt doesn't feel too tight between the two camshaft pulleys!
I set the tension with the lifter tray unbolted so no tension on belt as im setting the actual tension on the TENSIONER. this way you dont get it floppy like Spaghetti.
When I first did my vg30 timing belt I threw that spring away. Couldn’t figure it out lol. 3 timing belts later I bought a new one from Nissan and I’m gonna give a shot
Thanks for this explanation! With this method, do you not need to remove the valve covers and undue the cam bolts to set proper tension? I know the SM calls for this step for proper tension etc.
I have never had to release the tension through the rockers. What I do is set the motor to TDC, the. With the timing covers off, you can use the crank bolt to ever so slightly release the belt tension by gently rotating the crank CCW. You will see the belt gain slack.
I like this trick, thanks for posting! Question, is it possible to clock the spring too many times? (Not that you would want to, but...) I installed the belt with the tensioner removed, then put on the tensioner, and at first, there was no tension on the spring. Found a video where they did it that way, but then manually rotated the spring counterclockwise until it was properly positioned against the stud. Now at that point, is the tension properly set, and leave it alone? Or is it ok to use your method and clock the spring from there?
You definitely do not want to clock or rotate it more than once. You can most certainly still clock the tensioner where you're at now. Just do it like in the video and off you go!
First time i did my pathfinder I threw that spring away I couldn’t figure it out lol. 3 timing belts later I bought a new one and whiling to try again
I couldn’t figure out how that spring went
Can I bring you my Shiro special edition for much-needed maintenance and upgrades?
Do you have any tips on how to proceed if the cam gears are out of time, I'm doing my belt on a 33 rn and no matter how much I spun the crank the only two that would line up was the driver side cam and crank. The passenger just won't line up, always a bit off and my cams are covered in a couple other marking from the previous owner I presume.
Are you on Facebook or Instagram? Problem easier to help you if you could send me some pics! ;)
I just did my belt tonight, and put on a new spring and tensioner. I had to tighten the spring up to get the new belt to fit on, but now, the spring "notch" is not resting on the stud, and i cant spin it over enough to get it to, because the timing belt is applying too much pressure for me to fight agianst. The tining is correct and it is hand cranking well, and it does not feel too tight, but I'm hesitant to put it all back together with the spring looking wrong. Any idea as to what's going on in my situation?
So did have the nut loose and then did you turn the allen key clockwise until it snaps into place?
@z31online Yep, I even pulled the nut all the way off to try. I can't turn the tensioner a full rotation with the allen key, there's too much resistance from the timing belt pressing against it. I'm not sure why my belt is so tight against the tensor and crankshaft, because my teeth counts are all good. The "notch" on the spring is pointing down, under the bolt it should be resting on. It's driving me mad, especially because the belt doesn't feel too tight between the two camshaft pulleys!
@crazyxterralady hmm, can you message me on Facebook so that you can send me some pictures or videos of what the tensioner is doing?
I set the tension with the lifter tray unbolted so no tension on belt as im setting the actual tension on the TENSIONER. this way you dont get it floppy like Spaghetti.
Thanks buddy
No problem 👍