Removal and Installation: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Set No. 1 cylinder to TDC.
- Rotate crankshaft pulley clockwise to align timing mark (A) (grooved line without color) with timing indicator (B).
  
  Fig 1: Identifying Timing Marks On Crankshaft Pulley And Timing Indicator
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Remove front timing chain case. Refer to "REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ".
Check timing chain markings to confirm No. 1 cylinder is at TDC of its compression stroke.
- If not, remove Ring Gear Stopper Tool and turn crankshaft clockwise 360° (one revolution).
- Re-install Ring Gear Stopper Tool.
  Tool number: - (J-48761)
- If the original timing chain markings are not legible, use paint or equivalent to mark the timing chains to the sprockets.
If removing the secondary timing chains, loosen camshaft sprocket bolts.
Compress the primary timing chain tensioner.
1. Loosen clip of primary timing chain tensioner, and release plunger stopper (1).
2. Depress plunger into tensioner body by pressing slack guide (2).
3. Keep slack guide pressed and insert stopper pin through the tensioner body hole and plunger groove (3) to hold plunger in.
  NOTE: Use stopper pin included with Tool J-50246.
  
  Fig 2: Inserting Stopper Pin Through Tensioner Body Hole And Plunger Groove
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Remove internal chain guide.

Fig 3: Identifying Internal Chain, Slack Guide And Tension Guide
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Remove timing chain (primary).
CAUTION: After removing timing chain (primary), do not turn crankshaft and camshaft separately, or valves will strike the piston heads.
Remove crankshaft sprocket, if necessary.
Remove timing chain (secondary) and camshaft sprockets as follows:
1. Attach stopper pin to the right and left timing chain tensioners (secondary).
  NOTE: Use stopper pin included with Tool J-50246.
  
  Fig 4: Attaching Stopper Pin To Right And Left Timing Chain Tensioners (Secondary)
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
2. Remove camshaft sprocket (INT and EXH) bolts.
3. Remove timing chain (secondary) together with camshaft sprockets.
  - Turn camshaft slightly to secure slack of timing chain on timing chain tensioner (secondary) side.
  - Insert 0.5 mm (0.020 in)-thick metal or resin plate between timing chain and timing chain tensioner plunger (guide). Remove timing chain (secondary) together with camshaft sprockets with timing chain loose from guide groove.
    CAUTION: Be careful of plunger coming off when removing timing chain (secondary).
    
    NOTE: Camshaft sprocket (INT) is a one piece integrated design with sprockets for timing chain (primary) and for timing chain (secondary).
    
    Fig 5: Inserting Metal Or Resin Plate Between Timing Chain And Tensioner Plunger (Guide)
    Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
  - When handling camshaft sprocket (INT), be careful of the following:
    CAUTION:
    Handle carefully to avoid any shock to camshaft sprocket.
    
    Do not disassemble. (Do not loosen bolts (A) as shown).
    NOTE: For removal of timing chain tensioner (secondary), refer to "REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER) ". [Removing camshaft bracket (No. 1) is required.]
    
    Fig 6: Identifying From Camshaft Sprocket (INT) Bolt
    Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.