Timing chain replacement for Nissan Almera N16

The Nissan Almera N16 was equipped with two petrol engines 1.5 (QG15DE) and 1.8 (QG18DE). Changing the gas distribution mechanism drive of these related engines follows the same algorithm. Replacing the Almera N16 timing chain may be required if direct or indirect faults occur. Direct signs of a stretched chain include:

At the time of startup, when the engine is idling, periodic failures or rough operation .
The appearance of extraneous noise , with a characteristic metallic ringing from the motor.
When examining the gas distribution mechanism, wear of the teeth on the gears and increased output of the tension devices .

QG15DE on the attachment belt side
Among the indirect factors indicating problems with the timing drive:

unreasonable increase in engine temperature;
tapping valves;
decreased cravings;
periodic occurrence of metallic knocks;
formation of thick smoke from the exhaust system;
increased fuel consumption;
jerks in movement.

We'll tell you how to independently replace the timing drive on a Nissan Almera N16.

QG18DE at implement belt side

Timing chain replacement for Nissan Almera N16

The Nissan Almera N16 timing chain is replaced after no less than 200,000 km. This is an advantageous difference between a chain and a belt, which changes much earlier. The second important advantage of the chain is its strength. The chain cannot break, which protects the valves from damage.

Signs of a stretched timing chain

The following signs indicate a faulty timing chain:

Computer diagnostic errors P0335 and P0340.
Extraneous ringing noise when the engine is idling.
The engine does not start the first time.
Unstable idle speed.
Jerking and decreased traction when moving.

You can buy a Nissan Almera H16 camshaft chain kit for an average of five to ten thousand rubles. The specific price depends on the manufacturer.

The cost of replacing a camshaft chain at a service center is about ten thousand rubles.

How much a replacement costs depends on the specific service and the qualifications of the technicians.

Can I replace it myself?

Yes. Despite the fact that replacing a timing chain is a fairly rare procedure, you can find instructions and photos of the work on the Internet.

Replacement is best done on a lift; in extreme cases, a pit will do.

Replacement Tools:

Hexagons and heads
Hammer
Chisel
Torque wrench
Sealant and degreaser
Clean rags
Tanks for waste and antifreeze
adjustable wrench
Wood block

Replacement process:

Turn off the power to the ignition coils and unscrew them. We label the coils with numbers so as not to confuse them during installation.
Disconnect the air pipes from the valve stem.
Unscrew the mounting bolts and remove the valve cover.
Remove the right cushion.
Drain the engine oil.
Remove the oil filter.
Remove the lower radiator pipe clamp and drain the coolant.
Unscrew the radiator cap and drain the remaining fluid.
Remove the radiator and generator drive belt.
Remove the supply hose.
Remove the cylinder head.
Remove the muffler and unscrew the engine oil pan.
Loosen the bolts that secure the pump pulley.
Remove the accessory belts.
Insert a block between the side surface of the crankcase and the crankshaft.
Remove the crankshaft pulley.
Unscrew the water pump pulley and remove it.
Remove the oil pump.
Set the first piston to the TDC position. The marks on the gears must certainly match (on any modification, including the Nissan Almera 2L 2000RSR 20)
Secure the camshaft with an adjustable wrench and unscrew the bolts of its gears.
Remove the parts in order: the upper damper bar, the tensioner, the damper tension bar (put the lower bar on the pin).
Remove the timing chain.
Use a flathead screwdriver to pry up the gear and remove it.
Clean the side surface of the engine from dirt and old sealant.
Install the pre-prepared chain, following the marks.
Replace seals.
Apply sealant to the side surface of the motor housing.
Secure the mounting bolts.
Attach the side cover and wait until the sealant sets.
Install the pump along with a new gasket.
Reassemble the parts in reverse order.

Once again we draw attention to the need to comply with the labels! Otherwise, the chain may break, which will lead to critical engine damage.

Replacing the 2001 Nissan Almera HR16DE chain is done in the same way.

Preparatory stage

Such a serious event requires careful preparation. First of all, this concerns the necessary preparations:

hex key 6;
heads size 12,13, 14;
hammer;
chisels;
torque wrench;
sealant;
degreaser;
rags or rags;
containers for coolant and oil;
adjustable wrench;
wooden block;
new part - timing chain.

Preparatory stage for replacing the Nissan Almera timing chain

Replacing a belt on a Nissan Almera Classic also concerns safety issues. They embody the following points :

Disconnect the cable from the ignition coil. Turn off power.
Unscrew and remove the coils.
Label each with consecutive numbers for correct installation during installation.
Disconnect the air pipes from the valve cover.
Following the instructions, unscrew the fastening bolts on the valve cover around the perimeter. Take it off.
Remove the right cushion (it may interfere with the subsequent removal of engine parts).

Experts about the timing chain and in what cases is it necessary to replace it Nissan Almera 16 (N16 / N16)

It is generally accepted that a timing chain is more reliable and durable than a belt. However, this statement is only partly true. Therefore, having become the owner of a second-generation Almera with a more powerful gasoline or diesel engine and a timing chain drive than before, you cannot expect that this chain will last forever.

Why timely replacement of the timing chain Nissan Almera N16 is important

The service life of a chain is only slightly longer than that of a belt, and you have to monitor the condition of this part even more carefully, and here’s why:

The chain, like the belt, is also subject to stretching. But if the belt deforms gradually and equally throughout its entire service life, then the chain increases in length by approximately 1-2% (and this is a fairly serious amount) mainly in the first months of operation. Therefore, at the first scheduled maintenance of the car it will be necessary to tighten it;
A broken timing chain will almost certainly cause serious damage to the engine, while in the event of such a problem with the belt, there is a chance to get away with “a little bloodshed.” In addition to the fact that when the transmission of the gas distribution mechanism breaks, the synchronization of the crankshaft and camshaft is disrupted and the likelihood of a collision of pistons with valves is high, a chain that breaks while the engine is running easily breaks through its protective casing and literally grinds everything in its path.

You can protect your car from a sudden break in the chain and thereby avoid significant expenses by following two simple rules:

The timing chain of the Nissan Almera N16 should be replaced every 100-120 thousand km. vehicle mileage, but at least once every three years. Even a car spends most of its life in a garage, the chain is still destroyed - by the same corrosion;
Regularly, at least once a year, carry out diagnostics of the gas distribution mechanism - this will help to detect its malfunction at the earliest stage and thereby avoid serious damage.

In what cases is a Nissan Almera 16 needed to be replaced: signs of a chain drive failure

In addition to high mileage, indications for replacing the timing chain of a Nissan Almera 16 may be as follows:

A visual inspection shows that the chain links are heavily worn or damaged by corrosion;
During the computer diagnostics process, it turned out that the camshaft and crankshaft phase sensors show a shift in their phases. This suggests that the chain is greatly stretched and is not able to ensure synchronization of their rotation with due accuracy;
The chain has weakened and it is impossible to achieve the required level of tension by adjusting the tension gear;
When the engine starts, the chain makes a previously uncharacteristic clanging sound. In this case, it is likely that you will have to replace not only it, but also the shaft gears.

Affordable chain replacement for Nissan Almera H16: the price of a professional approach

You need to understand that for high-quality operation of the car, a planned replacement of the Nissan Almera H16 chain is desirable, the price of which is several orders of magnitude lower than when the need for this operation arises after a break in this part. Therefore, after the warranty period for this part has expired, even if there are no visible signs of wear, it should be replaced with a new one. The vehicle’s service book clearly states during which scheduled maintenance this operation must be performed.

If we are talking about a planned update of the timing transmission, then it is quite simple: the old chain is removed along with the pressure gear (if necessary, the old spring is also removed) and new parts are put in place of the old ones. But, firstly, on the second generation Almera, access to the chain is not easy - to do this you will have to not only remove the belt cover and dismantle the valve cover, but also remove the right engine mount, and these are not easy procedures. First of all, the master places supports under the engine and only after that begins to partially disassemble it.

But this is where the difficulties that come with replacing the Almera 16 timing chain are just beginning. It is not enough to install a new part - first you need to coordinate the position of the valves and cylinders. Usually they are brought to a position corresponding to the beginning of the first phase of engine operation, when the pistons are in their lowest position and all valves are closed. After this, the chain is fixed and the master begins to adjust its tension.

Due to the large total volume of work and the accuracy that these works require, this price is completely justified. And our specialists have extensive experience in servicing Nissan engines, so you can rest assured of the quality of their services. In addition, all work performed by us, as well as parts purchased through our service, are guaranteed.

We work directly with original and licensed manufacturers of spare parts, so when purchasing parts for your car from us, you will be completely protected from purchasing products of dubious origin and low quality.

What you need to know before starting work

Before starting the process called replacing Nissan Almera N16 belts, you should know that essentially this element is a chain. This solution prevents longer operation of vehicles, especially the operation of the gas distribution mechanism. And if previously the need arose after 50,000 km, now the car can easily cover a distance three times greater.

timing belt installed on the mechanism

Another obvious advantage of the chain will be the following:

the element can only stretch or shift;
made of dense material;
If there is a malfunction, the valves will not be damaged.

Changing the timing chain on a Nissan Almera H16 with your own hands

You can change the timing chain at a car service center, as this is a labor-intensive process, but it will not be cheap. Replacing the timing chain on a Nissan Almera H16: a photo report and step-by-step instructions will help you perform the operation yourself. In addition, the article has a video that shows the entire process.

In what cases is replacement necessary?

The big advantage of the Nissan Almera H16 is that they are equipped not with a timing belt, which needs to be changed after 50-60 thousand kilometers, but with a chain. It ensures reliable operation of the gas distribution mechanism until the car travels more than 150-200 thousand km. The chain can only shift and stretch, it will never break, so the valves will not be damaged.

Tools and accessories

Changing the timing belt here is not very convenient, since everything is located very close. To replace, we will need either an original special device for fixing camshafts (Renault tool code: MOT1496), or one made independently, the drawing is given below.

Two camshaft plugs.

Camshaft plugs.

Timing chain replacement for Nissan Almera N16

Like the timing belt, the timing chain needs to be replaced periodically. This should be done once every 150-200 thousand km, or when extraneous sounds appear under the hood. Many Nissan Almera N16 owners turn to a service station for this, although if you have a basic set of automotive tools, you can do this yourself.

Removing the old timing chain

First of all, you need to turn off the electrics - remove the terminals from the battery, disconnect the connectors from the ignition coils and unscrew the coils themselves. For convenience, number them so as not to be confused. Then you need to unscrew the valve cover bolts and remove it. The cover gasket is usually retained, but it would be a good idea to install a new one.
To gain access to the chain, you need to remove the timing protection. To do this, it is necessary to jack up the engine, since the timing case rests on the suspension cushion; if the cushion has lost its elasticity and there is a risk of damaging it when lifting the engine, simply unscrew the fasteners.
The third step is to drain the oil from the crankcase and the coolant from the cooling system. It is also advisable to change them, since such a case presents itself. To completely drain the oil, you must remove the pan. This is prevented by the exhaust pipe of the exhaust system, which we simply unscrew from the exhaust manifold. In this case, the sealing gasket will have to be replaced.

Option 1

In order to remove the crankshaft gear, you can place a wooden block or something like that between its teeth and the inner wall of the crankcase. Then remove the pump pulley and oil pump. The oil pump gasket is not saved - we install a new one.

Option 2

It is necessary to loosen the chain, for which we remove the upper stabilizer bar, the hydraulic tensioner, and then the lower bar. Now it is free and can be easily removed. This will keep the pulleys in the correct position.

Nissan Almera chain installation and assembly

There are three, or less often two, links on the chain that should be painted yellow or white. These links must match the marks on the gears. camshaft and crankshaft.
If you have not manipulated the hydraulic tensioner, then first you need to put the chain on the camshaft pulleys, and then on the crank gear. Then we install the gear on the shaft. When installing, make sure that the marks on the pulleys match the painted chain links and that the marks are in the correct position.
If the hydraulic tensioner bars have been removed, you need to put the chain on the shafts, ensuring that the marks match. After this, install the lower damper bar, hydraulic tensioner and upper bar. In this case, the assistance of a second person may be required.
After the chain is in place, the shafts are in their normal position and the marks on the chain, pulleys and engine housing correspond to each other, we begin to assemble the timing belt. In this case, the hydraulic tensioner piston should be in the same position as shown in Fig. 3.

As you can see, replacing the timing chain on a Nissan Almera N16 is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. Of course, you will waste your time, but you will be sure that everything was done efficiently.

DIY chain replacement video

Timing chain replacement for Nissan Almera n16

Replacing the timing chain in Nissan Almera N16 | Nissan Almera N16 engine

For correct tightening, the setting for stroke compression must again be observed at the very first cylinder.

Replacing the timing chain in Nissan Almera N16

You need to tighten it using a rod or a carbide screwdriver; if the car has a manual transmission, then simply engage the gear and press the brake. A new bolt is installed, which is intended for the crankshaft. It tightens and turns by degrees. The stop SST Mot is turned out. After tightening, you can connect the coils to them.

All that remains is to install the upper timing cover and tighten the nuts and bolts. In the question of how to change belts on a Nissan Almera Classic, it’s time to install a new automatic timing belt tensioner.

Installing a new timing tensioner for Nissan Almera The actions will depend on whether the car has air conditioning or not: The force with which the bolts are tightened in a vehicle without air conditioning will be equal to 4.

Only then is the new chain installed. In this case, the tensioner will need to be turned with a suitable key. Final chords in reverse assembly Before completing the work, we check that the marks on the pulleys and chains match.

Only after this can you continue: Before installing the oil pump, it is best to replace the chain on the Nissan Almera N16 and replace all the o-rings.

Timing chain replacement for Nissan Almera n16

A new layer of high temperature sealing device is applied to the side of the engine. Use a torque wrench to tighten each mounting bolt to 50 N.

After attaching, side work is paused to allow the sealant to set. A new gasket is installed, followed by the pump at torque H.

The next step is to replace the valve cover gasket with a new one. The muffler and pan are installed. The remaining bolts can be tightened according to the instructions; it is better to use a torque wrench for this. This is how the timing belt is replaced - cheaply and independently, the price in car services can be hundreds of dollars.

Valve cover, 4 ignition coils located on top. Under the cover is that famous leaf chain. And so, to replace it, you first need to disconnect the power cables to the ignition coils.

We unscrew the coils, take them out, and sign them with precision. We disconnect the air pipes from the valve cover, and unscrew the valve cover in a certain sequence according to the service manual. Before this, it was known in advance that the right engine mount would interfere, so the engine mount was removed by jacking the car out of the hole onto the longitudinal ski.

Experts about the timing chain and in what cases is it necessary to replace it Nissan Almera 16 (N16 / N16)

Drain the oil from the engine and unscrew the oil filter. Trays next to the front seats for what spills out of the pockets. But when it comes to buying a used car, reliability and durability come to the forefront. The model was not sold in the country of cheap second-hand goods - America, and it is not profitable to bring small cars from Europe with the current euro exchange rate.

Most often on the market there are 1.5-liter cars in the middle configuration: At one time they were too expensive, so few were bought. Firstly, it is difficult to find, since the model was only produced in Japan until mid-year. Diseases of electrical equipment It is too early to talk about the corrosion resistance of the body - there are no problems yet. The chain, like the belt, is also subject to stretching. In addition to the fact that when the transmission of the gas distribution mechanism breaks, the replacement of the chain on the crankshaft and camshaft is disrupted and the likelihood of a collision of pistons with valves is high, a chain that breaks while the engine is running easily breaks through its protective casing and literally grinds everything in its path.

Of course, modern chains are maximally protected from sudden breakage - they are multi-row and undergo multi-stage quality control during the production process.

But it still won’t hurt to protect yourself from this disaster.

You can protect your car from a sudden break in the chain and thereby avoid significant expenses by following two simple rules: Even a car spends most of its life in a garage, the chain is still destroyed - by the same corrosion; Regularly, at least once a year, carry out diagnostics of the gas distribution mechanism - this will help detect its malfunction at the earliest stage and thereby avoid serious damage.

In what cases is a Nissan Almera replacement necessary? Upon visual inspection, replace the chain with a Nissan Almera N16, that the chain links are heavily worn or damaged by corrosion; During the process of computer diagnostics, it turned out that the camshaft and crankshaft phase sensors show a shift in phases. This suggests that the chain is greatly stretched and is not able to ensure synchronization of their rotation with due accuracy; The chain has weakened and it is impossible to achieve the required level of tension by adjusting the tension gear; When the engine starts, the chain makes a previously uncharacteristic clanging sound.

Replacing belts

A toothed belt is responsible for ensuring high-quality operation of the gas distribution mechanism, with the help of which the entire unit (camshaft and crankshaft) is driven. That is, this belt controls the intake and exhaust phases; not a single engine can do without it.

If the timing belt of a Nissan Almera Classic 2013, 2014 or any other year is broken, that is, teeth are broken or cut, this leads to very dangerous contact of the valves with the pistons, which will cause expensive repairs.

Of course, such a moment is very unpleasant for any owner. To prevent this problem from overtaking you, replacing the Nissan Almera timing belt can be done on your own, following the advice of manufacturers and specialists, and this is every 70–80 thousand km or once every 3–4 years. But if suspicions creep in about your belt, then it is better to check everything, fix what is needed, and be calm than to pay for expensive repairs later.

Many people advise replacing the spark plugs together with the belt, since checking the belt will make the turning movements of the crankshaft easier. Check the toothed surface of your belt for wrinkles, peeling, undercut teeth or any cracks. And on the reverse side, look carefully to see if there are any signs of burning, wear, or exposed cord thread. Also check the end surfaces; they may have delamination or fraying. The timing belt must be replaced if these signs (at least one from the entire list) or traces of oil are detected.

Checking and replacing Nissan timing chain

Difficulty of performing the work:

The gas distribution mechanism is an important element of all engines, including Nissan power plants. To ensure normal operation of this unit, it is necessary to carry out maintenance in a timely manner. servicing the timing belt and monitoring the condition of the mechanism drive. For example, Nissan VQ series engines use a timing chain drive, and if extraneous noise appears on the timing side, the timing chain needs to be replaced.

Timely replacement of the timing chain of Nissan engines will allow the engine to maintain valve timing. If this is not done, incorrect gas distribution will lead to loss of power, excessive consumption of oil and fuel, and interruptions in the operation of the installation.

The timing drive is carried out from the crankshaft of the crank mechanism via a chain. This is done so that the timing valves open and close at the right time on a specific cylinder. If the drive chain does not have the required tension, the operation of the “Cylinder-piston group - timing” pair will be disrupted. Therefore, it is important to monitor the condition of the drive and, if it is stretched too much, change the timing chain of Nissan VQ units.

Checking the Drive Status

In order to find out whether your Nissan needs to replace the timing chain, you should check the chain's exhaustion. This can be done by measuring the extension of the tensioner rod. This operation can be carried out with your own hands, having a set of keys at hand and knowing the order of the work.

You can get to the tensioner by first removing the valve cover on the power unit. Then you should unscrew and remove the side cover located on the chain side. Below the camshaft sprockets there is a chain tensioner, at which the rod extension needs to be measured. If the offset is more than 1 cm, it is advisable to replace the timing chain in your car.

Increased noise from the chain can also serve as evidence that the timing chain on Nissan engines needs to be replaced. As well as the appearance of interruptions in engine operation and increased oil consumption.

In general, we can say that at least 100 thousand km pass before the first inspection of the chain. mileage However, there are exceptions.

Replacing the timing chain on a Nissan

We will look at replacing a chain in a Nissan car with a VQ series engine. If the engine is of a different series, then the replacement principle still remains the same.

Replacing the timing chain is quite a troublesome job. If you lack confidence in your abilities, it is better to contact a specialized car service.

Before replacing the timing chain, you need to drain the oil and coolant from the power unit. Also disconnect the coil cables and remove the spark plugs. From the chain side of the car, you need to jack up the front of the car.

All attachments and drive belts on the right side (in the direction of travel of the car) must be removed. Then you need to unscrew the engine mounting mount.

The next operation to replace the timing chain on a Nissan with a VQ engine is to remove the valve cover and crankshaft pulley. By removing the pulley, you will have access to the drive casing. After this, you need to unscrew the housing and remove it. Next, you need to align the crankshaft gear and camshaft sprockets according to the marks. The marks are on the gear, sprockets and the chain itself. To do this, you need to turn the crankshaft until all the marks match. If this is not done, the proper functioning of the gas distribution mechanism will be disrupted.

To replace the drive chain, you first need to loosen it. To do this, you will need to unscrew the tensioner and dampers and remove them. The chain will sag, but it will be impossible to remove it for now. But this sag will be enough to unscrew and remove the liquid pump.

Before removing the old chain, you should once again check that all marks match. After which you can replace the timing chain. The new chain must be installed so that all the marks match. After installing the new chain and tensioning it, you need to rotate the crankshaft again to make sure that the marks match. If everything is normal and the marks match, it means that the timing chain of your Nissan was replaced correctly, and the engine can be reassembled.

Conclusions:

Replacing a timing chain is a very labor-intensive process. If you do not have experience in carrying out repair work, we strongly recommend that you contact a car service center.

Comments and reviews

In this case, the end slots of the camshafts will lie horizontally and slightly shifted downwards. Further actions will be as follows: Remove the auxiliary drive pulley. Unfortunately, on the Nissan Almera engine there are no special timing marks on the crankshaft and camshaft pulleys. In order not to disturb the valve timing, before removing the timing belt, it is necessary to set the crankshaft and camshafts to the TDC position of the top dead center of the compression stroke of the 1st cylinder.

To determine the position of the camshafts, it is necessary to remove two rubber-metal plugs from the holes in the left end of the cylinder head.

Remove the air path resonator. We pierce a hole in the center of the rubber block with a screwdriver.

Using a screwdriver as a lever, remove the plug from the hole in the cylinder head. Similarly, remove the other plug.

The main thing before replacing the belt is not to forget to buy new plugs to install them to replace the damaged ones.

We turn the crankshaft clockwise by the bolt securing the auxiliary drive pulley until the grooves on the ends of the camshafts take a horizontal position, are parallel to the plane of the connector of the cover and cylinder head and are shifted down relative to the axes of the camshafts.

Replacing the Nissan Almera N16 timing chain: instructions. Nissan Almera repair

Like the timing belt drive, the chain drive also needs periodic maintenance and replacement. Replacing the timing chain on the Nissan Almera N16 is usually performed once every 150-200 thousand kilometers. It is also changed if various extraneous sounds appear under the hood. In addition, the car will indicate the need for an urgent replacement by increased oil consumption. The car's ECU will generate errors 0340 and 0330. Experts say that replacement needs to be done even more often - once every 120 thousand kilometers. Sometimes it happens that the chain works longer than its allotted time. Car enthusiasts prefer to change the chain at car repair shops, but this procedure can be done with your own hands.

Pros and cons of timing chains

The chain drive on Nissan cars has certain disadvantages and advantages. The most important advantage is the fairly long service life of the mechanism. You don’t have to look into the drive until characteristic noises appear in the motor. Some chains can easily survive even 400 thousand kilometers without the need for replacement.

The first sign of replacing the Nissan Almera N16 timing chain is characteristic noises reminiscent of the operation of a diesel engine. The reason may not be in the circuit itself. Tensioners often fail and dampers wear out. If the engine operates like a diesel engine, the driver will definitely notice this and take measures to correct the problem. The timing belt always breaks unexpectedly - for this reason, the valve in the cylinder head permanently fails, which leads to a large expenditure of money and effort.

Among the disadvantages of using a chain is the increased noise level. It will be even on a fully functional engine. The process of replacing the timing chain on the Nissan Almera N16 is more complex, in contrast to the same belt replacement. The price of spare parts is also higher.

Required Tools

It should be understood that the work is quite complex. It will require 3-4 hours of time. It is more convenient to work on an overpass or inspection pit, as well as on a lift.

To perform the operation, you will need a 6-size hex key, heads of sizes 12, 13 and 14. You will also need a hammer and chisel. Fasteners should only be tightened using a torque wrench. Additionally, sealant, degreaser, and rags will be useful. During the replacement process, technical fluids will need to be drained from the Nissan Almera engine - containers for oil and antifreeze are needed. You also need an adjustable wrench, a block of wood, and a new chain.

Installation kit

The kit contains everything you need to replace the chain. This is a new tensioner, dampers - upper and lower, the chain itself, camshaft gears, crankshaft sprocket.

The kit for the N16 engine includes two Nissan Almera N16 timing chains. The price of the set is from six thousand rubles.

We remove the old one

First of all, turn off the electrics - the terminals with the battery, disconnect the connectors from the ignition coil. It is better to unscrew the coils themselves. To avoid confusion later, these parts are numbered. Next, unscrew the valve cover fasteners and remove it. You can save the gasket, but it is better to replace it with a new one.

In order to gain access to the chain, the timing case is removed. The engine is lifted with a jack - the casing will rest against the suspension cushion. If the cushion is worn out, you can simply unscrew the fasteners.

Then drain the oil from the engine crankcase and the antifreeze from the cooling system. It is better to replace these fluids with new ones. To completely drain the oil, remove the pan. The exhaust pipe, which simply unscrews from the manifold, will interfere. At the same time, the gasket is also changed.

When the oil has completely drained, remove everything that may interfere with the process of replacing the timing chain on the Nissan Almera N16. This is the power steering, alternator and air conditioning belt. To do this, unscrew the pump pulley bolt and remove it. You can also remove the crankshaft gear at the same time so that it does not move from its axis. If you do not do this, you will have to manipulate the hydraulic tensioner and damper.

Before removing the old chain, the shafts are set in the correct position. There are corresponding marks on the cylinder block body. The first piston must be installed at TDC. All timing marks on the gears must match. This is achieved by rotating the crankshaft with a wrench. When the risks finally coincide, the shafts are fixed.

Option #1

To dismantle the Nissan Almera crankshaft gear, a block of wood is installed between the teeth and the crankcase wall. Next, dismantle the pump pulley and oil pump. The oil pump gasket needs to be replaced with a new one.

Option No. 2

The chain is loosened by removing the top bar from the damper. Then remove the hydraulic tensioner.

Afterwards, the bottom bar is dismantled - and the chain can be easily removed. The pulleys will be in their correct position.

How to install a new one?

You should definitely clarify how many links there are in the Nissan Almera N16 timing chain - it has 154 teeth. On a new chain, three or two links are colored yellow or white. They should match the marks on the camshaft and crankshaft gears. If the hydraulic tensioners were not touched during the work, then first the chain is put on the camshaft pulleys. And only then - on the crank gear. When replacing the timing chain on a Nissan Almera N16, you should make sure that the marks correspond to the yellow or white links.

If the hydraulic tensioner bars have been removed, the chain is placed on the shafts, observing the position of the marks. Next, install the lower and upper strips. When the chain is well in place, the shafts are in normal position, the marks correspond, the mechanism can be assembled.

Then the oil pump, pump pulley, and belts are installed in their place. After installing the pan, screw the exhaust pipe to the manifold with a new replaced gasket. Fill in new oil to replace the drained one, and add antifreeze. The timing case is returned to its place. Also screw the valve cover back on. That's it, at this stage the operation to replace the gas distribution mechanism drive is completed. You can begin to fully operate the car.

Features of the procedure and tips

Any work on the chain should be performed with extreme care. Care should be taken when setting the piston of the first cylinder to top dead center. It is important to set the piston to its highest position. All engine camshaft mounting bolts are removed one at a time.

If you visually compare a worn and new chain, you can see even with the naked eye how stretched the old part is. In addition to this, the tensioner and sprocket are changed. When installing a new tensioner, you need to ensure that its protrusion fits into a special groove. The tension nut should only be installed and should not be tightened under any circumstances. It is also important to double check that the crankshaft is at TDC of the first cylinder. The key will point up, and the shaft itself will not rotate clockwise.

When changing the timing chain on a Nissan Almera N16, it must be installed clockwise. This way you can prevent it from sagging between the gears.

Features of the timing chain drive

The timing chain drive consists of a chain, a damper, toothed pulleys, a shoe and a tensioner. Since the rotation speed of the crankshaft is not constant, the chain is susceptible to vibration. The damper dampens vibrations, preventing cyclic weakening of the chain.

The working condition of the chain is ensured by a tensioner, the rod of which presses on the shoe. According to the principle of operation, tensioners are divided into mechanical and hydraulic.

The hydraulic tensioner is a cylindrical body, in one of which a valve assembly is installed, and in the second a plunger. A closed working zone is formed between the two cavities, into which engine oil is supplied under pressure through a valve. Oil pressure acts on the plunger, moving it toward the front of the housing. The inner part of the body in the working area of the plunger has special notches for a locking ring. When the plunger moves, the locking ring moves along the notches, blocking the reverse movement of the plunger when the engine is turned off. Thanks to this, the chain maintains tension in the first seconds of startup, when the oil pressure in the lubrication system may be insufficient.

A spring-loaded ball is installed inside the valve body. When the engine is started, oil pressure overcomes the force of the return spring, pushing the ball aside and allowing oil access to the working cavity. When the engine is stopped, the return spring presses the ball to the seat, blocking the oil channel and thereby preventing the outflow of oil from the working cavity.

The shoe is attached to the engine block on a moving axle. The plunger pusher presses on the opposite side of the shoe, thereby tensioning the chain between the sprockets. Above we described the principle of operation of a hydraulic tensioner based on a locking ring and grooves. Various variations of this device are often used in the design of modern engines. Adding a bypass throttle or reserve cavity to the design improves the damping properties and increases the reliability of the hydraulic tensioner, although it does not radically change the principle of its operation.