TwinTurbo.NET: Nissan 300ZX forum - TIPS&TRICKS-How to set timing belt and adjust tension.
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Subject TIPS&TRICKS-How to set timing belt and adjust tension.
     
Posted by Buzz on May 13, 2003 at 9:56 AM
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Message Thanks to an excellent TECH article many have successfully done their own timing belt replacement. However in reading the forum it appears that there are two common problems. 1) How to avoid slipping one tooth, and 2) How to set the proper tension. The following are some techniques which may make the procedure easier to complete successfully.

PROCEDURES.

1. To help positioning the belt on the crankshaft, it will help to extend the mark for the crank on the belt with a white dot on the outside edge of the belt. I used a popsicle stick to wedge the belt in place because I prefer to use wood over metal as a wedge. A screwdriver will also work fine.

2. To help avoid the belt slipping on the cam sprockets, I found using spring loaded clothespins as clamps is a big help. (See Pics) Note that in the pictures the crank has been rotated back 10 degrees as per step 18 in the timing belt FAQ. The belt as shown is correctly installed but the marks do not align with those on the rear timing belt cover which is OK.

3. After the belt is on and the tensioner is in place, apply pressure by hand on the tensioner to tighten the belt as you slowly turn the crank clockwise 10 degrees. Turning clockwise will move any slack in the belt to the tensioner. Holding pressure on the tensioner should prevent the belt from jumping a tooth. Bolt the tensioner in place while still applying pressure by hand against the tensioner. Insure that all belt markings are aligned with the respective sprockets. Markings on rear timing belt cover are for initial reference only and need not align perfectly.

4. Remove clothespin clamps. Exercise the timing belt by rotating the crankshaft 120 degrees first counterclockwise then clockwise back to the original position. Again, any excessive slack should end up in the area of the tensioner. At this point the service manual procedure calls for the use of a push pull gauge to set tensioner pressure on the belt at 15.2 to 18.3 lbs. Without the tool you can manually check the belt deflection by applying light pressure at all points around the belt. If excessive slack is found in the area of the tensioner, loosen the 3 bolts slightly apply hand pressure on the tensioner to remove the slack (15.2 to 18.3 lbs) and retighten.

5. Remove stopper bolt. After 5 minutes, check that the tensioner rod extension remains at approximately 4mm (3.5 to 5.2mm). If less than 3.5mm, reinstall the stopper bolt.

CAUTION Never use very much force to tighten stopper bolt.
The casting is weak and can break very easily.

Loosen the 3 tensioner bolts. Slowly loosen the stopper bolt until 4mm clearance. Retighten 3 tensioner bolts while holding 15.2 to 18.3 tensioner pressure against the belt. Remove stopper bolt, wait 5 minutes and recheck.

If more than 5.2mm, you may want to just try loosening the 3 tensioner bolts and retighen the bolts while apply additional pressure on the tensioner to momentarily overtension the belt.
Wait 5 minutes and recheck. The tensioner should absorb the overtension and take a new setting closer to the optimal 4mm.

6. The final step after tensioner adjustment is to recheck all timing marks between belt and sprockets. Begin reassembly as per FAQ.

     
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