Just ordered the cam belt and water pump kit. How difficult is this job? I have tools and the cheap azz Haynes manual. Pretty good mechanical skills, have built BBC SC Chevy's before. Anything to look out for that are not in the Haynes manual destrcutions? Anything else I should do while down that far?

Tim T.

Welcome to the XOC. Look around the site at the different forums, we cover everything here . There's in fact a few threads on timing belt replacement in this very forum. Any other questions, user the search function. If that doesn't do it, go ahead and pipe up again.
*Depending on the year and miles (I'll assume you're at or over 105k) get the water pump, thermostat, upper and lower hoses, done also. Just keep reading around first..

i haven't done a timing belt on an xterra, but i have done it on my 92 pathfinder two times. the Haynes book i used the first time said to remove the valve covers but it is unnessary and i did not do it. i would change out both cam seals and the front crank seal while i had it apart, and also new belts and hoses. one more thing, after you get it back together you may want to check your timing. this past summer when i did the pathfinder the timing was way off when i got done,guess the old belt was stretched. it is a pretty easy job if you take your time.

I have not done an X, but did the belt on my pathfinder - about the same v-6. Much of the time spent is involved in removing stuff that's in the way. Figure 8+ hours for a first time learning job.
Deal breakers. Impact tool for crank bolt. Puller for crank pulley.

dave without xtoy - the old belt looked like new

PS - don't allow anti-freeze or other fluids get on the belt!

Since the Haynes manual sucks, spend $20 and download the factory service manual from Nissan.

I've replaced belts on other vehilces, not a Nissan. PITA usually. At least the 05 has a chain. :p

Good luck.

Link to download factory manual?

What year Xterra do you have?

If you go to http://www.nissantech-info.com and register for a 1 day subscription (+/- $20), you can then view (and save) the factory service manual. If your X is too old for the system, just get the oldest one in there, as they didn't change a whole lot on the D22 chassis.

I've only got 55k on my Frontier, so I haven't changed the belt on mine, yet. I've done a lot of other things to my truck, though... So if you need an extra hand, shoot me a PM. Looks like you'd be about 20 minutes away...

If you have the kit it is pretty easy. They mark the belt for each cam very well just pay attention and count the notches. Ditto on replacing hoses and clamps while in there. The stock clamps are those spring kind and don't work well after removal. Also good chance to clean the fins on the radiator while you have it out.

Take your time and it's pretty easy. Also a nice wooden dowl or platic dowel will make it easier for top dead center on number one plug

Be advised the harmonic balancer only has two theaded holes and they are metric. I had to buy extra bolts for my puller... forget the measurements but I just guessed when at ACE and bought two or three pairs and I had the correct fit when I got home. Maybe someone knows the exact size and post?

Good LUCK!

Has anyone changed the camshaft and crankshaft seals that also come with the full kit?

Good point Dezurtrat. Is there any reason to change the crank and cam seal if they are not leaking and how diffucult is that step of the job? Would anyone suspect that they would start leaking if not changed before 200K if that is what I can expect out of this engine? I hate to rip out a seal if it is not leaking and end up with a leak. My X is a 00 SE 3.3 with AT, white soon to have the PML. 100,500 miles

Tim T.

Link for online manual

http://www.nissan-techinfo.com/nissan/dept.asp?mscssid=&dept_id=18

I'm curious about the seals, too.... Roger and I were going to replace his - but we were so anxious to get the thing back together that we forgot all about them until it was waaaay too late

The bolts I used with my puller are M6-1.0x 60mm and they worked fine for me.