Missing timing mark

[Guest bbillman63]

I am replacing the timing belt on my '95 Pathfinder with a V-6. The manual says that I should have a timing mark on the oil pump housing that matches the mark on the crank sproket, but it isn't there (on the oil pump housing). Has anyone run into this problem. How do I verify that the engine is at TDC?

[94extreme]

search the forums. you sure there isn't a notch on the housing?

[k9sar]

pull no. 1 plug and put a long screwdriver in the hole. hand crank and watch for high point. Of course, there are more precise ways but at least you'll get within 180 degrees of TDC

[Slick]

for TDC there are a couple ways.... your cam sprockets should like up with the marks on the rear timing cover, and if you are like the majority of us with no mark on the lower housing, BDC can be achieved when yer timing pulley looks like this:

 

or, as K9 said, stick a screwdriver into plug hole #1 and turn the motor. Pistons #1 & #4 should be TDC. like this

[Casey.T]

Most of ours do not have the timing mark on the oil pump housing.

 

Best discription I can give you is: There is a mark on the crank sprocket it should be at about 5 o'clock and the keyway will be opposite the mark and at about 11 o'clock.

 

I have 3 VG30E's in my Garage and Drive way, the new JDM Engine is the only one with the mark on th oil pump(I got a Picture at home)

[GrimGreg]

My 88 (Japanese built) has the mark, my 93 (American built) does not. The cam marks are off on the 93 as well by like half a tooth. When I had to replace my waterpump I made my own mark for the crank.

[Guest bbillman63]

I set the O degree mark on the pulley before I pulled the timing belt covers, but the cams are not at their marks. I was hoping for something more sophisticated than the screw driver in the #1 piston since one notch can make a big difference.

[94extreme]

screwdriver is the way to go man. the only thing is that you could still be off 180 like someone said above.

[Slick]

I set the O degree mark on the pulley before I pulled the timing belt covers, but the cams are not at their marks.  I was hoping for something more sophisticated than the screw driver in the #1 piston since one notch can make a big difference.

if you are BDC as you describe by the lower timing pulley being set like the pic i shoed you.. and your cam sprockets are off.. then take the valve cover off.... loosen the rocker arm bolts, and turn your cams until they are TDC (ie: the marks are lined up).... as long as you were only a couple teeth off then this will work easily and wonderful. remember to torque back down the rocker arm once you have achieved your desired setting.

oh yeah.. i did that ("that" being the rocker arm trick) AFTER.. torquing down the cam sprockets (else you'll only have to do it again in all probability)

in all honesty.... you should still check with the screwdriver.... because i had my motor tore down and knew everything was TDC before fartin around.. i knew what was what in there.

Edited June 20, 2006 by Slick

[Casey.T]

 

See, they do exist on some of the oil pumps... BTW best guess on this engine is that it is out of a Max.

 

Also please note that this oil pump does not have the bolt hole for the bottom bolt on the lower timing cover....

Edited June 20, 2006 by Casey.T

[Slick]

 

See, they do exist on some of the oil pumps... BTW best guess on this engine is that it is out of a Max.

 

Also please note that this oil pump does not have the bolt hole for the bottom bolt on the lower timing cover....

HA! ya lucky bastige! if i didn't have that bolt hole it wouldn't have caused THIS:

[Casey.T]

I got to use the timing cover from the Max.... I have a gap at the bottom of my crank...

 

Once that baby lights up, ill be having some fun with the RTV......