Z31/timingbelt php

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Z31 VG30E(t) Timing Belt Replacement and 60K Maintainance

Replacing the Z31 timing belt is one of the most important maintenance items for your Z31. The VG30E and VG30ET motors are interference engines, meaning the valves and pistons share a common space. If your timing belt fails, the valves will stop opening and closing but the pistons will keep moving, causing severe engine damage.

When the piston moves down, the intake valve opens to let air in, then closes for the compression stroke. At top dead center, the spark plug fires and the explosion pushes the piston down. At bottom dead center, the exhaust valve opens to let exhaust out and closes before the piston comes back up—preventing contact.

If your timing belt fails, the pistons will hit the valves, causing at least two bent or broken valves in the engine.

!Damaged Z31 Valves

Note the tops of the valves laying on the pistons.

!Broken Valve Tops

Note the missing valve tops—these were broken off when the pistons hit them.

Parts Needed

Part	1984-86 NA Part #	1984-86 Turbo Part #	1987-89 NA Part #	1987-89 Turbo Part #	Price
Belt - Timing	13028-16E85				$31.94
Belt - Alternator / Water Pump	11920-7B405	11720-V5302TM			$8.80 – $13.55
Belt - A/C Compressor	02117-44523TM	02117-44523TM	A192M-F61SMVW		$12.12 – $13.55
Belt - Power Steering Pump	02117-04023TM	02117-04023TM	A195M-F61SAVW		$8.63 – $9.36
Timing Belt Tensioner	13070-42L00				$60.11
Tensioner Stud	13073-V5001				$1.73
Tensioner Spring	13072-V5210				$1.80
Tensioner Washer	13074-V5000				$2.12
Tensioner Lock Washer	09340-0014P				$0.83
Tensioner Nut	08911-2401A				$0.58
Seal - Camshaft (2 needed)	13042-0B001				$4.15
Seal - Crankshaft	13510-88G00				$4.25
CHTS - Cylinder Head Temp Sensor	22630-01P01				$27.16
CHTS - Subharness	24079-01P00				$16.10
Crankshaft Front Sprocket Plate	13023-V5000				$2.58
Crankshaft Rear Sprocket Plate	13022-V5001				$1.64
Crankshaft Timing Gear	13021-V5001				$28.04
Hose - Bypass	14055-01P00				$16.10
Hose - Lower Radiator	21503-01P61				$14.55
Hose - Upper Radiator - Front	21502-01P25				$24.48
Hose - Upper Radiator - Rear	21501-01P26				$21.04

Part	A/B Series Engine #	W-Series Engine #	Price	Notes
Waterpump	21010-02P26	21010-02P85	$80.20 – $100
Gasket - Waterpump	21014-V5002	N/A	$3.83	Check pump box. RTV used on W-Series
Thermostat	21200-42L01	21200-V5010	$14.98 – $18.24
Gasket - Thermostat Housing	13050-V5011	N/A	$3.57	RTV used on W-Series
Woodruff Key	00926-51600	00926-51600	$0.82	2 needed on W-Series

• 00926-51600Quick Option:You can purchase the Timing Belt Kit, part number

Z31-TBKITA1from Courtesy Nissan.

Note: This kit does

notinclude everything listed in the full parts chart above.

!Z31 Timing Belt Kit Parts

Tools Needed

Tool	Notes
Pulley puller
Seal puller	Not necessary
Allen wrench set
White paint pen
Pry bar
Air impact wrench & impact sockets	Makes some steps much simpler; a must for automatic
27 mm socket
Torque wrench
RTV silicone
Various metric sockets
Ratchet
Extensions

The Tear Down and Installation

• Remove lower engine shield (usually missing from most Z31s).

- Next is the cooling fan. Remove the four nuts holding it to the water pump pulley. Be careful not to drop them.

- Remove the fan shroud and all engine belts.

• Remove the crankshaft pulley (23mm bolt). For manuals, put the car in 5th gear and set the parking brake, then break the bolt loose. For automatics, use an air impact gun. Reinstall the bolt (without the pulley) so you can rotate the motor to align timing marks.
• Remove the A/C idler pulley (held on by bolts at each end).

- Remove the timing belt covers. Start with the upper one (many 8mm bolts), then the lower one.

• Optional: Remove the spark plugs to make it easier to turn the motor for aligning timing marks.

- Align the motor and mark the location on the old belt and pulleys.

- Remove the old thermostat and water pump and replace them. Do this with the old belt in place to avoid coolant spilling on the new belt.

• Decide if you will be replacing the oil seals.

- If replacing the oil seals, hold the cam sprockets and unbolt them, remove the sprockets, and replace the cam seals.

• Replace the sprockets and torque to spec. Use the old belt for holding pulleys if needed. For automatics or engines out of the car, use air tools or a chain wrench with the old belt.

- There are no lips behind the cam seals—tap carefully!

- Loosen the crank pulley bolt (1 x 27mm) using a real penetrating lubricant (PB Blaster). Remove the crank sprocket gently; do not pry or you may damage the oil pump housing.

Pro tip: Drill/tap two holes in the crankshaft sprocket to use a wheel puller for easy removal.

- Relieve tension on the timing belt tensioner, then remove the old belt. Replace the tensioner and tensioner stud.

- Install the new belt with the marks lined up on the pulleys. Be absolutely sure it’s correct!

• Turn the engine over by hand a few times to ensure nothing interferes. (Note: The marks on belt/pulleys only line up again after many revolutions; do not worry if you are confident in your timing.)
• Adjust belt tension according to the shop manual. This may take a few tries—correct tension is crucial for belt life. Torque the lock nut to spec.
• Replace all removed items and start the engine. (Tip: Replace the 2-inch water hose between the thermostat housing and metal coolant pipe now, as these often leak.)

Torque Specs

Sources Used

1984-1988 Nissan 300ZX Factory Service Manual- 1984 - 1989 Nissan 300zx Haynes Manual

• Nissan Parts Image from: Stu85na
• Tensioner Stud Image from: travbabble
• Write up from:

http://www.sadik.netModified by XenonXIII for z31 - Parts List By: AZ-Zbum