CO_pathfinder Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 So here we go again. Another sub-100 post guy freaking out about his timing belt. I called the PO that I bought the truck from, he said he didn't do any maintenance on it during the 10k miles he had apart from oil changes (or so he says). No longer has contact info for PO before him, and records for the truck from that guy were lost in apartment fire. F********* Truck is at 78xxx miles now, and I just now realized that if it didn't get a TB change, boy oh boy.... It still has drive belts that are OEM (90's NISSAN logo printed on them), and so I'm thinking that it likely still has the factory TB. My issue in changing it myself is that most of my vehicle expertise is in suspensions and transmissions, as my dad never let me touch the engine of his 70 Chevelle as a kid, coupled with the fact that I'm in college, have no tools/place to do it myself, and am VERY short on free time. I've priced around, and the quotes on prices from shops in my state (I've priced as far away as 200 miles) range from $750 to $1250, but I know that if I could do it myself, it would cost sub-$300. This is me begging. Is there anybody, ANYWHERE in Colorado, or near Colorado that can hook me up with a deal at a shop, or even in your driveway? I am more than willing to pay for services rendered, and I just want to get this done for the sake of peace of mind. Most of the money I made this summer is already sunk into this car, and the last thing that I want to see is for it to explode on me and my investment to be totally lost..... Thanks for the help/support guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingman Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 What year is it? 87-93, yes be worried. 94+ you've got another 20k miles to go mileage wise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkiBumBrian Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 I hear ya buddy. When I bought my '91 the PO had no idea when and if the TB was done but all his maintenance was done at the local dealer. I just changed it anyway and when I got in there the belt looked brand new. But since I was there I wanted to start with a fresh slate so I changes it, WP, bypass hose, seals... Oh, your post count doesn't matter. I don't feel I am a post whore but if you want a bigger post # just play the forum game for a while and you can rack them up... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPath88 Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 My rule of thumb with Timing Belts is unless the they can provide receipts, just change it asap. No use risking an interference engine on an unknown or a sellers "word" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CO_pathfinder Posted October 7, 2014 Author Share Posted October 7, 2014 Yea, its a 91 Not to mention the fact that if it IS the original timing belt, 23 years is a LONGGGGG time for something made of rubber to survive hot/cold cycles, and the stresses of running around at 3000 rpm... And thus, f my life. I was like "ooh lets check my bank account, maybe I've got enough to dump this off at a shop and not worry about it FFFFFFFFF-no money-" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Yes, that belt is overdue for it's 60k mile change... Don't drive it hard. There are a few people in Colorado and maybe they can help you, but parking it and saving until you can pay a mechanic may save you a motor. Not trying to scare you, just being real. For what it is worth, I bought a 1995 with 96k miles on it in 2010; original timing belt 15 years old and I was paranoid that it was dry rotted and falling apart. When I changed it, it looked used but not damaged in any way other that small cracksin the the surface between the teeth when flexed backwards. In other words, don't panic, but do it/get it dealt with ASAP. You might want to post in the regional section towards the bottom of the main page... B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CO_pathfinder Posted October 7, 2014 Author Share Posted October 7, 2014 change it asap. My thoughts exactly, though it might be enlightening to watch a boxing match between valves and pistons, with the timing belt acting as the dying referee... If I had a driveway and a weekend, I would try to find somebody to help me with it/ do it for me. Except I have no free weekends. Or week nights. Or the tools required to remove a bent radiator from an even more bent radiator support. And with ski season approaching, this is beginning to worry me even more and more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebelord Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Have any friends in the military? You near their base? Most big bases have a autohobby shop. They can get you a pass to get on and use it. It would be them as your escort at all times. Might be a option. Sent from my Moto X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CO_pathfinder Posted October 7, 2014 Author Share Posted October 7, 2014 But thank you all for confirming my fears and sense of urgency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CO_pathfinder Posted October 7, 2014 Author Share Posted October 7, 2014 (edited) Have any friends in the military? You near their base? Most big bases have a autohobby shop. They can get you a pass to get on and use it. It would be them as your escort at all times. Might be a option. Sent from my Moto X Have oodles of friends in ROTC, a few in military, but the closest bases are 75 miles away and my friends are only available on weekends, which is when I work EDIT: Good idea though, I may try to pursue this Edited October 7, 2014 by CO_pathfinder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Nothing personal Bud, but it sounds like you are going to have to make the time to get it done. Been there myself, you can do it too... B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPath88 Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Have oodles of friends in ROTC, a few in military, but the closest bases are 75 miles away and my friends are only available on weekends, which is when I work EDIT: Good idea though, I may try to pursue this Look into swapping shifts with someone to free up a weekend day. If you cannot then perhaps you need to weight the pro's and con's of taking a day off work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CO_pathfinder Posted October 7, 2014 Author Share Posted October 7, 2014 No offense taken, anything that you and 90% of the other people on this forum have more knowledge about pathfinders and what can and needs to be done is more than the knowledge that I have myself. I really appreciate the support guys. I'll call up my relatives, see if I can get some loans from them to get the repair done, so that I can repay them when I have the money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejin4499 Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 (edited) A timing belt can be done in a open field with a craftsmen 100 piece tool kit a bucket and a appropriately sized socket for the crank snout. You can do it in an afternoon/evening. You don't work over time every day do you? Check the videos on youtube for it read the manual about properly timing the engine (lining up the timing marks) you can do it no problem. Edited October 7, 2014 by ejin4499 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fman Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 sorry for the thread jack but my 6/93 has receipts for a timing belt change from late 2007 its got 40000 km to go b4 its due for change. should i get it done on age alone or leave it alone untill its due currently 259000 km on it. full dealer service history came with it cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPath88 Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Unless you are in an extremely harsh environment, one that destroys rubber such as tires in record time, then you should have nothing to worry about. Seven years is not so long in the life of a timing belt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Agreed. The listed change interval is per mileage or 4 years IIRC, but no one pays attention to the time interval. I have changed a timing belt that was 15 years old and it really didn't look bad at all; I'm sure it would have gone a bit farther without any issue and it already had 100k miles on it. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fman Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 awesome cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CO_pathfinder Posted October 13, 2014 Author Share Posted October 13, 2014 So in terms of the stuff that I need for this change... The manual doesnt exactly go into specifics, and I have yet to see any other threads asking for supplies for a change at 60k. I'm currently in the process of pricing out the following parts: Nissan Dealership sourced: (T-belt, water-pump gasket, water pump studs, t-stat). I know that I need to get a water pump too, but I don't feel like donating $148 to the stealership for a Nissan one. Apart from the obvious ebay or google answer, any suggestions on a reliable alternative to the dealership water pump? The stuff above is what I'm planning on getting, but I'll leave it up to you guys as to whether or not I should get things like cam/crank gaskets, t-stat gaskets, rad hoses, ect. Suggestions and ideas welcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vagabond Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 My rule of thumb with Timing Belts is unless the they can provide receipts, just change it asap. No use risking an interference engine on an unknown or a sellers "word" I'd do the same, I'd rather spend a little on a timing belt. and waterpump, seals, and tstat. then maybe replace a engine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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