Removal and Installation: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2018 Nissan Maxima. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Remove front timing chain case. Refer to Removal and Installation .
Remove the intake manifold collector. Refer to Removal and Installation .
Remove the spark plugs. Refer to Removal and Installation .
Place paint marks on the timing chain and sprockets to indicate the correct position of the components for installation.
Disconnect the camshaft position sensor harness connectors.

Remove the timing chain tensioner (primary).

Pull lever (D) down and release plunger stopper tab (A). Plunger stopper tab can be pushed up to release (coaxial structure with lever).

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(B)	: Timing chain tensioner (primary)
(C)	: Stopper pin

Insert stopper pin (D) into timing chain tensioner (primary) body hole to hold lever, and keep the tab released. An Allen wrench [1.2 mm (0.047 in)] is used for a stopper pin (D) as an example.

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Insert plunger (A) into tensioner body by pressing the slack guide (B).
Keep the slack guide (B) pressed and hold it by pushing the stopper pin (D) through the lever hole and body hole.
Remove the bolts (C) and remove the timing chain tensioner (primary).

Remove internal chain guide (1), tension guide (3) and slack guide (2).

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NOTE: Tension guide (3) can be removed after removing timing chain (primary).
Remove timing chain (primary) and crankshaft sprocket.
CAUTION: After removing timing chains, do not turn the crankshaft and camshaft separately or the valves will strike the pistons.

Remove timing chain (secondary) and camshaft sprockets as follows:

Insert a suitable stopper pin into the hole (C) on the bank 1 (B) and bank 2 (A) timing chain tensioners [secondary (1)].

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NOTE:

Use approximately 0.5 mm (0.02 in) diameter hard metal pin as a stopper pin.
Removal of camshaft bracket (No. 1) is required prior to removing the timing chain tensioner [secondary (1)].

Remove camshaft sprockets (INT/EXH) bolts.

Secure the hexagonal portion of camshaft using a suitable tool (A) and loosen bolts with suitable tool (B).

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CAUTION: Do not loosen bolts using anything other than the camshaft hexagonal portion. Do not apply tension to the timing chain.

Remove timing chain (secondary) together with camshaft sprockets.

Turn camshaft slightly to keep the chain tight when removing the timing chain (secondary).

Insert 0.5 mm (0.020 in) thick metal or resin plate between timing chain and timing chain tensioner plunger [guide (E)]. Remove timing chain [secondary (2)] together with camshaft sprockets with timing chain loose from guide groove.

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(1)	: Timing chain tensioner (secondary)
(A)	: Bank 1 (RH)
(B)	: View B
(C)	: Stopper pin
(D)	: Plate
(F)	: Timing chain tensioner (body)

CAUTION: Be careful of plunger coming off when removing timing chain (secondary). The plunger of timing chain tensioner (secondary) moves during operation, which could cause the stopper pin to fall out.

Bank 1 shown.

Camshaft sprocket (INT) is two-for-one structure of sprockets for timing chain (primary) and for timing chain (secondary).

CAUTION:

Handle camshaft sprocket (INT) carefully to avoid any shock to camshaft sprocket.

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Do not disassemble. [Do not loosen bolts (A) as shown, above].