1998 Nissan Sentra Timing Chain Removal and Installation

July 31, 2021

1998 Nissan Sentra

TIMING CHAIN

Removal

1. Release fuel pressure. See FUEL PRESSURE RELEASE . Drain coolant from radiator and cylinder block (drain plug is on left side of block, between flywheel and exhaust manifold). Remove accessory drive belts and power steering pump bracket. Remove intake air duct. Remove right front wheel and splash shield.

2. Remove engine undercovers. Remove front exhaust pipe. Remove front engine mount from cylinder head. Remove cylinder head cover, distributor cap and spark plugs. Remove intake manifold support. Set piston No. 1 at TDC of compression stroke. For installation reference, mark rotor in relation to distributor housing and distributor housing in relation to cylinder head. Remove distributor.

3. Remove cylinder head front cover. See Fig. 4 . Remove water pump pulley and thermostat housing. Remove chain tensioner and guide. See Fig. 6 . Loosen idler sprocket bolt. Remove camshaft sprockets. Remove idler sprocket bolt. Remove cylinder head bolts in 2 steps, in sequence. See Fig. 5 . Remove cylinder head with manifolds. Remove idler sprocket shaft from rear side. Remove outer (upper) timing chain.

4. Remove crossmember and rear engine mount. Remove oil pan and strainer. Remove crankshaft pulley. Support engine using a jack. Remove front engine mount. Remove front cover bolts (one of these bolts retains water pump and front cover). Remove front cover. Remove idler sprocket, inner (lower) timing chain and oil pump drive spacer. Remove chain guides and crankshaft sprocket.