Nissan pick-ups are very reliable trucks, but one of their weakest points is the timing chain ( 4 cylinder engines ), somewhere after 100,000 miles depending on driving conditions, the timing chain guides will show signs of wear.

If left unnatended they will wear out so bad that you will start hearing a rattling noise every time you start the engine; as damage gets worse, you will start hearing the noise at all times, specially at idle, in worst case scenario the timing chain could jump a few teeth causing engine damage by piston to valve contact.

It is recommended to remove the valve cover at least every 100,000 miles to inspect the timing chain components, it is better to replace the timing chain set before is too late.

In this and the following pages, you will learn how to perform this repair, these steps apply to fuel injected 4 cylinder engines from 1990 to 1996, take note that the carburated engines from 1980 to 1989 are similar in design, but they vary slightly due to the mechanical fuel pump mounted to the cilinder head.

    

    

    

    

    



   

   

   

   

   
    

  Make sure that you remove the negative battery cable before you start working on your truck, begin by removing the air duct mounted above the radiator ( see image ) .














 With the air duct out of the way, loosen the nuts that secure the fan clutch in place, don't remove them completely yet.

 

 

 

 

  

 Remove the screws that secure the fan shroud in place, next remove the 4 fan clutch nuts you loosende earlier and remove the fan shroud and fan clutch at the same time.

 












 Next, loosen the center nut from the power steering pump tensioner as shown in the picture.




















 Loosen the power steering belt by turning the adjusting screw counterclockwise ( see image ), remove the belt from truck and set it aside.

 

 

 
 

 

 

 Loosen the lower bolt that secure the alternator in place .















 Loosen the alternator belt tensioner as shown in the picture.














 Next, turn the adjusting screw counterclockwise to loosen the belt, remove the belt and sit it aside, to gain more clearance, remove the adjusting mechanism and move the alternator assembly as far away from the cylinder head as you can.











 Loosen the center nut from the AC belt tensioner.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 Just like the other belts, turn the adjusting screw counterclockwise to loosen the belt, remove the belt from the truck and sit it aside.

NOTE: This is a good time to replace these belts if they show any cracks, make sure that you inspect them carefully.




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