When to replace the Nissan x trail timing chain: t31, t30. How to replace the timing chain of a Nissan X-Trail? When is it time to change

The company's engineers have ruled out the structural possibility of a break - the Nissan Xtrail timing chain is replaced if it is stretched or displaced. There is no need to worry that a break will occur and work related to engine restoration will be required.

The replacement procedure is not cheap and car owners, as a rule, react without enthusiasm to information that the chain is unsuitable for further use. Especially when they find out about the need to replace a certain number of related parts:

tensioner
guides
crankshaft and camshaft oil seal
valve cover gaskets
spark plug well gaskets
chain damper
stars

Oil and antifreeze are also changed completely.

With such an impressive amount of work, we need a 100% guarantee of correctly diagnosed faults. In those. Professional employees vouch for the accuracy of determining the cause of a breakdown, and if the chain has not exhausted its service life, the source of the problem will be found as quickly as possible.

If chain wear is confirmed, work on repairing the timing system is postponed, while the car continues to be used, all conditions are created for a major overhaul of the engine, which is not commensurate with the cost of replacing the chain.

When to change

The maintenance schedule does not cover replacing the timing chain on this Nissan model. As a rule, with proper maintenance and subject to compliance with the manufacturer's recommendations, the drive produces up to 200 thousand km. Poor quality oil contributes to premature chain wear.

Replacement due to the degree of “fatigue” may be required after traveling approximately 120 thousand km.
If you purchase a used car and not directly from the owner.
With increased oil consumption in the internal combustion engine
If typical symptoms are detected indicating a malfunction of the timing belt.

Signs of trouble

Problems with the chain in gas distribution equipment are indicated by well-recognized manifestations of vehicle systems. If, upon visual inspection as much as possible, the extended tensioner does not convince of the need to install a new element, other arguments will soon be added to it.

Extraneous sounds. Clanking, metallic noise, knocking in the engine never bodes well for positive forecasts; if you notice them in the operation of the power unit, do not delay in contacting specialists.

Traction, revolutions. When these indicators are not stable, one of the reasons may be a stretched chain. Carrying out diagnostics at a car service is the only right decision.

Check. A light on the dashboard that comes on will leave no hope for the reliability of the timing drive. The signal will also indicate that the drive is stretched and the timing phases are shifted.

Additionally

The replacement procedure involves considerable expenses and a number of actions necessary for the full operation of the Nissan. The dismantling of a large number of vehicle mechanisms facilitates the implementation of complex, associated labor-intensive maintenance work, which makes it possible in the future to ensure efficient, normal operation of the engine, while spending a minimum of money and time. These include:

changing engine oil. Consult with Tech masters. about the quality of the composition used. If the lubricant does not meet the manufacturer’s recommendations, you should switch to a composition with more acceptable performance. This also applies to antifreeze.
flushing radiators: engine, air conditioner, variator, automatic transmission (if the transmission is automatic). This procedure should be carried out not only in the case of chain replacement work, but also during the operation of the car; usually, when using the car in off-road conditions, it is recommended to perform it every 10 thousand km, and for moderate driving it is enough to repeat the procedure every 30 thousand km.

Important!

The engine gas distribution system is one of the main ones, which allows for efficient and normal operation of the engine. It is not recommended to experiment or try to repair them yourself.

using a professional tool
thorough understanding of the operation and relationships between devices
the ability to quickly solve any problems that arise during the process

These are the main advantages of service at a car service center that specializes in providing Nissan repair services. Replacing the timing chain of a Nissan X-Trail outside a specialized service center is the responsibility of the car owner.

For Nissan X-Trail, replacing the timing chain is necessary as it wears out. The life of the chain is much higher than that of the belt, this is a serious plus. Replacement is required on average after 200,000 km. mileage

To determine the degree of wear, remove the cover and inspect the tensioner. The further it extends, pulling the chain, the higher the degree of wear.

Replacing a Nissan X-Trail timing chain requires the following equipment:

chain for oil pump;
oil pump chain tensioner;
crankshaft oil seal;
sealant;
seals;
timing chain;
hydraulic timing chain tensioner;
engine oil;
antifreeze;
because the oil filter will also have to be replaced during operation; a new filter will be required;
rags, work gloves, wrenches, screwdrivers;
It is more convenient to use pneumatic impact wrenches, which provide high-quality loosening and tightening of bolts and nuts. If you have the skill to work with this tool, the risk of stripping threads and tightening bolts crookedly is close to zero.

Many operations require significant physical force. If the repair is carried out by a woman, it will be impossible to do without pneumatic tools.

Timing chain

Replacing a Nissan X-Trail chain is not fun for half an hour or an hour. Almost half of the car will have to be disassembled. For untrained mechanics, assembly and disassembly alone takes several days. Correct assembly may take even longer, as it requires reading the manuals and reading the service instructions.

Preparatory stage

We turn off the power when the car is warm, and in the standard manner, carefully drain the engine oil and antifreeze into previously prepared containers. Be careful, the oil may be hot.

It is forbidden to drain used oil onto the ground, into reservoirs, or ditches. Taking this opportunity, it makes sense to remove the magnet trap for metal particles under the bottom of the car and thoroughly rinse and wipe with a rag.

Disassembly

The right front wheel will have to be removed. Protection, if installed, too. The lockers can be removed without any problems.

We remove the intake tract receiver and the upper engine mount along with the brackets.

Then the crankshaft pulley, accessory drive belt, tension rollers of attachments, power steering pump, generator, air conditioning compressor, power steering, exhaust pipe and everything that prevents access to the chain, bars and tensioner are removed.

Quite often along the way you will have to peel off the glued gaskets. Mark these places so that they can be coated with sealant during subsequent assembly.

Power steering reservoir

How to remove and replace a chain

When removing the chain, you first need to remove the tensioner located on the left. It is secured with bolts that need to be unscrewed.

After removing the chain, it is very advisable to inspect all components looking for damage, stuck metal fragments, debris, breaks, or cracks. Replace any damaged parts. It is advisable to replace the sprockets.

How to use tags on a chain? The chain itself has the following marks. 2 links have the same color markings and one link is painted a different color.

It is necessary to align the marks on the intake and exhaust camshafts; a mark of a different color must be aligned with the mark on the crankshaft.

Some carry out the procedure on jacks. This is inconvenient and not reliable. The vehicle must be securely secured. We recommend using a lift or, better yet, an overpass with special fastenings. This is safer and speeds up the process by an average of 3 times. A machine mounted on a lift can be inspected from all sides, with full access to the suspension, engine, and attachments.

When doing your own repairs, don’t be lazy to photograph each step in detail. This will be very useful for you during reassembly. Take photographs, even if it seems ridiculous and stupid to you, because everything seems to be completely obvious and understandable.

When replacing the chain, use Nissan X-Trail timing marks. How to set the marks can be found in the service instructions for the Nissan X-Trail engine. It is necessary to align the chain marks with the marks on the camshaft and crankshaft.

The use of a chain is more justified in terms of better controllability, reliability and strength of the Nissan X-Trail compared to a belt drive. However, replacing a chain on any Nissan X-Trail model is much more difficult than replacing a belt.

Replacing the chain using the pulling method on QR20De

A timing chain, unlike a belt, can be disassembled and reassembled. This allows you to replace the chain in the engine without disassembling it. This is, of course, provided that the tensioner bar, damper and the sprockets themselves are in good condition. So the QR20DE engine. The reason for replacing the chain is weak low-end traction and sluggish acceleration. In general, disgusting dynamics for a two-liter engine. We have the following: the “check” is not yet lit, idle is stable. The tensioner rod, as it became known after removing the side cover, is extended by approximately 17 mm. No more than 10 mm is acceptable.

Synchronization of pulses from the crankshaft and camshaft sensors indicates that the misalignment is approximately 10 degrees.

The replacement process is not complicated, but the help of one more person is required. This part of the front cover is to blame.

She interferes with work. I think on engines where it is absent everything is much simpler. A lot of equipment was pre-made. I won't describe it. There is plenty of information on the Internet. In fact, it turned out to be useless. In order to press the pin out of the chain, it is enough to have a needle file and a thin, durable pin with a diameter of no more than 2.5 mm.

Two cores were made for riveting. For this purpose, two drills with diameters of 8 and 10 mm were damaged. The 8 mm drill turned out to be more successful.

The sequence for replacing the chain is as follows: remove the valve and side covers; press the tensioner in completely and fix it; We plug all the holes with rags. This is necessary, since you will have to work with small objects; remove the sprockets from the intake and exhaust camshafts; We tie the chain on both sides with copper wire. We get the following:

Now all that remains is to rivet the chain. To do this, you need to grind off the riveted part of the pin with a file. The process is not complicated. Just a few movements and the pin is ready to come out. The pin is pressed tightly. Here you will need the help of a partner. The first one holds the chain and presses a head of a suitable diameter against the knockout pin. The second, on the opposite side, prepared in advance, preferably with a hardened pin (a nail will not work, the metal is very soft), lightly knocks the pin out of the chain. We do the same with the new chain. It is necessary to knock out the pin in the same place as on the old one. Then the sequence is as follows: we tie the new chain to the old one using steel wire; it is better not to trust copper wire; we tie it on the side of the exhaust camshaft; jack up the car and put it in 5th gear; takes out all the rags that were previously tucked in; untie the wire with which the camshafts were tied. Next, we carry out the operation together. The first one turns the wheel clockwise, and the second one threads the new chain and releases the old one. That's it, the chain has been replaced. All that remains is to connect the links of the new chain together. This is where you have to tinker. Again, you need to plug all the holes, just like when you knocked out the pin. The task is not easy. To press it in, you need to insert and fix the pin into the first hole of the link. The pin is very thin and small. Constantly strive to jump out of your fingers. But once you succeed, everything is simple. Punch the pin all the way through. As soon as it appears outside, you need to open it. Although even so it should not go anywhere, since it is inserted very tightly. Together again. The first one holds the chain and presses a heavy hammer (sledgehammer) on the opposite side. Using a second, previously prepared core (made from a drill), we drill out the chain pin. Then everything is simple: put on the camshaft sprockets, setting everything according to the marks; take out all the rags and don’t forget about the chain tensioner. You need to remove the fixing pin from it.

I draw attention to the position of the mark on the intake camshaft sprocket. You can visually see how much its position has changed when compared with the first photo.

Now it is only necessary to replace the seals of the spark plug wells in the valve cover, but this is a separate topic.

Source

What questions do car enthusiasts ask when it becomes necessary to replace a chain?

Question: What is a timing belt? Answer: This is a gas distribution mechanism.

Question: Is it possible to supply a used and reconditioned timing chain when replacing it? Answer: No, you can't. Only a new chain can be installed.

Question: What else will have to be changed when replacing the chain? Answer: Sprockets, oil filters, seals, gaskets, seals.

Question: How long will it take to replace a chain on a Nissan X-Trail? Answer: You will have to leave the car at the service station for several days. You may have to wait in line. In an emergency, you can replace the chain within a day. If you are traveling on your own, expect at least 2 days. For this reason, you should not start repairs on the cozy path under the windows. The car will be in a semi-disassembled state and it is better to carry out repairs in a workshop or in a spacious garage.

Question: Is special equipment required? Answer: Yes. You will need a good professional set of tools and special equipment for removing pulleys.

Question: What are the savings when repairing a car yourself? Answer: The workshop will charge you about 10 thousand rubles plus components for the operation of replacing the chain. If you already have the tools and don't make any mistakes, you may be able to save this amount, although it will cost you a lot of time. If there are no tools, purchasing them will cost more than the cost of repairs. In addition, tools take up a lot of space and need to be stored. Best of all, in special iron boxes.

Every time you try to repair the Nissan X-Trail yourself according to the instructions, you should remind yourself that stuntmen and circus performers are people too. They have exactly the same arms and legs as everyone else, which means that everything they can do is within the capabilities of any other person. Theoretically, this is true. In practice, anything goes.

Replacing a Nissan Xtrail timing chain is a technically complex process. More difficult than any trained person can do is backflip, for example, or play the violin. Everyone can. If he studies every day, with teachers, in a special educational institution. You will be surprised, but all installers, turners and mechanics at car service centers have a special education that allows them to perform high-quality car repair work.

If you don’t want to take risks, it’s better to leave the Nissan X-Trail in the hands of professionals. Eliminating unprofessional repair errors is usually more expensive than simply performing the necessary replacement of components. For this reason, auto repair shops strongly encourage videos and instructions for do-it-yourself repairs. Take instructional videos and car repair instructions with a grain of salt. They are no more effective than any other training videos, and you are risking your own rather expensive property completely independently and of your own free will. By the way, attempts to repair a car yourself are not insured events.

On the other hand, you can simply study the subject so that later, perhaps, you can perform some car maintenance work yourself.

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.

We recommend

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.

How to install timing marks and timing chain on Nissan?

The timing chain (gas distribution mechanism) is considered more popular among car manufacturers than the belt. It is equipped with many different engines. The Nissan X-Treal engine was no exception. Although the chain is considered more reliable, it, like any other unit, requires replacement sooner or later and it will be more profitable to do it yourself.

Most malfunctions in the gas distribution mechanism are related to the chain. Most often it simply stretches from wear and tear. But there are cases when the chain tensioner fails, which leads to excessive free movement of the chain and, as a result, its wear. One way or another, any timing fault makes itself felt almost instantly. A problem in the timing belt can be identified by several symptoms:

Excessive noise when the engine is running. At idle speed, the rumble of the chain is clearly audible.
Drop in power and throttle response. Unstable operation of the power unit at idle.
Increased fuel consumption

If one or a number of similar symptoms occur, the gas distribution system should be inspected. This is not difficult to do: you will need to remove the cover and inspect the tensioner. It should not be in the extreme position, and if so, then the chain should not have any play.

IMPORTANT. It is not always possible to judge the condition of the timing chain by inspection alone. Before replacing the chain, if you are not sure of its feasibility, have the car diagnosed at a service station.

Direct signs of a faulty timing belt

If you notice the appearance of at least one of the described signs of malfunction, you must immediately check the condition of the timing belt. Experienced car owners can easily do this on their own, but it is better to carry out this procedure at a service station.

At a car service center, a specialist will be able to do a full inspection of the timing belt, check its tension and identify the degree of wear. If necessary, immediately adjust or replace it with the necessary components. Only an experienced specialist at a service station will be able to correctly tension the belt, because a weakly tensioned belt is more at risk of breaking.

Depending on the specific Nissan brand, our specialists perform a number of procedures that allow:

It's time to change the timing belt or you notice signs of a faulty belt, do not delay your visit to a car service center, otherwise the consequences may be unpleasant.

Necessary spare parts for timing belt replacement

Since this process is very painstaking, it makes sense to replace all the gas distribution mechanism units at once. Required parts:

oil pump chain,
oil pump chain tensioner,
timing chain,
three chain dampers,
hydraulic timing chain tensioner,
crankshaft oil seal.

In some cases, replacement and acquisition also require: timing stars and a phase regulator. You will also need engine oil and antifreeze in the cooling system.

Which company to choose consumables is up to you to decide, but when it comes to choosing basic spare parts, there is no particular alternative. Only original spare parts from an official representative.

For several reasons at once: firstly, the quality of these parts is an order of magnitude higher than fakes, and secondly, more or less normal fakes still need to be looked for.

Carry out all work on a completely cooled engine.
Before starting the process, disconnect the battery terminals.
Carry out assembly carefully.
Any bolt must be tightened very carefully to avoid stripping the threads.
After assembly, wait several hours for the sealant to completely cure.

Video: Replacing the timing chain Nissan Xtrail (Nissan x trail)

Replacing the timing chain on a Nissan Xtrail is a rather labor-intensive process that requires some knowledge. If you are not confident in your abilities, or the necessary tool is missing, then it is better to contact a service station. In auto repair shops, such work is estimated at about 8 thousand rubles.

The main advantage of a timing chain drive compared to a belt drive is its much longer service life. On average, the need for a timing chain arises only after 200 thousand kilometers. Replacing a Nissan X Trail T30 timing chain is more complex than replacing a belt, but after checking out the material we offer, you will be able to handle it without any help.

When purchasing a car with significant mileage, be sure to pay attention to the degree of wear of this unit. Also, when replacing the chain (only replace it with a new one), be sure to also replace the sprockets.

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Why do we criticize the Nissan 2.5 engine (QR25DE)?

In 2001, Nissan introduced a new 2.5 liter QR25DE engine.
This engine is based on the 2-liter “four” QR20DE. An additional half-liter of displacement was obtained by increasing the piston stroke. To achieve this, the 2.5-liter engine received shortened connecting rods and an original crankshaft, providing an increased piston stroke of up to 100 mm. The cylinder diameter of the light-alloy lined block remained the same: 89 mm. There are two camshafts in the block head of this engine, driving 16 valves. There are no hydraulic compensators. The timing drive uses a leaf chain. The balancer shaft module is located under the crankshaft.

In 2007, the QR25DE engine was slightly modernized. The engine received improved pistons, reinforced connecting rods and a slightly modified balancer module, which was also moved closer to the center.

The QR25DE engine was installed in all mid-size Nissan cars, such as Primera (P12), X-Trail of two generations, Altima, Navara, Murano.

On our YouTube channel you can watch a disassembly of a QR25DE engine removed from a 2004 Nissan X-Trail.

When is it time to change?

It is not difficult to determine the degree of wear on the timing chain on a Nissan X Traill with a QR20DE engine; you just need to remove the cover and inspect the tensioner. The further it is extended, the more wear there is. If you find that the tensioner has pulled out almost completely, then this means only one thing - it’s time to replace it.

Required Tools

two sets of wrenches: spanners and open-end wrenches;
a set of spanners with curved ends;
set of heads;
gate;
pulley puller, you can borrow from someone for a while;
sealant 150 grams;
installation;
carburetor cleaner or similar fluid;
degreaser (alcohol and acetone will do);
new chain;
a pair of guides;
tensioner;
rags;
gloves.

How to change the timing chain on a Nissan X Trail

The main advantage of a timing chain drive compared to a belt drive is its much longer service life. On average, the need for a timing chain arises only after 200 thousand kilometers. Replacing a Nissan X Trail T30 timing chain is more complex than replacing a belt, but after checking out the material we offer, you will be able to handle it without any help.

Nissan X-Trail car

When is it time to change?

Replacement kit

Required Tools

two sets of wrenches: spanners and open-end wrenches;
a set of spanners with curved ends;
set of heads;
gate;
pulley puller, you can borrow from someone for a while;
sealant 150 grams;
installation;
carburetor cleaner or similar fluid;
degreaser (alcohol and acetone will do);
new chain;
a pair of guides;
tensioner;
rags;
gloves.

Stages

At a service station, replacing the timing chain on a Nissan X Trail will cost you about 10 thousand, and in modern times even more. Therefore, you can try to cope with this work yourself.

Let us immediately warn you that replacing the timing chain on a Nissan X Trail is a rather troublesome process and it will not be possible to complete it in a day. When starting work, immediately think about the fact that you may have to leave the Trail overnight at the repair site.

Timing chain

To work better, placing the Nissan X Trail on an overpass is the best option. But you can also use a lift or build something else. Important! Make sure the vehicle is parked securely.

The first step is to remove the right wheel.
If protection is installed, dismantle it.
Use a wrench to pull back the tensioner and remove the belt.
We remove the pulley.
We do not remove the power steering pump. Simply unscrew the bolt from below and move it towards the interior.
Unscrew the two bolts and remove the tensioner.
The compressor can be left in place. But you need to unscrew a couple of bolts from the bottom and loosen the top ones. This must be done so that it does not press the pallet.
We support the motor from below.
We remove the right power unit cushion with fastenings. To do this, you need to unscrew four bolts from the motor and three from the spar. Using a screwdriver, unclip the wires that go to the generator.
Removing the power steering reservoir of the Nissan X Trail.

Power steering reservoir

Remove the expansion tank.
Important! Leave the two unscrewed bolts remaining in their places in place. When assembling, place the pillow together with them, otherwise you won’t be able to fit them in!
Using the collar, unscrew the six bolts, disconnect the hose and remove the ski.
Unscrew the two exhaust pipe bolts.
The tray can be removed for convenience, but you can also leave it in place.
We unscrew the exhaust pipe fastening so that it can go as low as possible to make it easier to remove the pan.
We remove the dipstick. If the rubber band is damaged, this area can be filled with sealant during assembly.
Unscrew the pan bolts.
Using a pry bar or a screwdriver, tear off the sealant.
We remove the small hatch in the side cover.
Remove the side cover. Be careful with the bolts and the filter!
Now is a good time to check the guides.
Find and remove the tensioner. It is a small metal thing with a piston. It is located on the left and is held on by a pair of bolts.
Now you can remove the old timing chain.
We check the condition of all elements; perhaps some need to be replaced.
Proceed to assembly.
If replacement of sprockets is not required, then further work is performed in the following order.
The guide is placed on the right.
We install the tensioner.
When putting on the Nissan X Trail chain, pay attention to the following points. On the chain itself there are 2 links painted one color and one link painted another. We combine a pair of links painted in the same color with the marks on the intake and exhaust camshafts, and a link painted in a different color with the mark on the crankshaft.

Marks of different colors on the chain
We install the left guide.
Attention! When tightening the bolts, you must be careful, otherwise the thread of one of them may be stripped.
Install the side cover.
The edges must be degreased.
Apply the sealant carefully and evenly.
We install the pillow without screwing it to the spar. If you screw it on, you won't be able to fit the tray underneath.
We screw the pallet.
Further components and parts are installed in the reverse order.

Recommendations

Attention! When installing the hatch on the side cover, be sure to install the guide!
After completing the assembly work, wait a couple of hours to allow the sealant to dry.
Bolts must be lubricated with grease before screwing in!
The crankshaft on the Nissan X Trail cannot be rotated counterclockwise.

Crankshaft
As you have seen, the chain process on the Nissan X Trail is not easy, but doable. But if you learn how to do it yourself, you will save a decent amount of cash, which can be spent on other purposes. If you have any questions, look at the photo report and video.