timing belt

i need a new timing belt, i have around 128K on the car, is the 94 pathfinder an interface or non interface engine? should i replace the water pump also?

It's an interference enging. Depending on who you talk to, it needs to be replaced at 60,000 miles or 105,000. (dealer says 60k, my manual says 105k).

Mine is a 94 Pathfinder XE, 4x4, Auto trans.

Actually, i'm trying to find out which is correct! Were you still on your original belt at 128K miles?

I replaced mine at 65000, did the water pump too.

Definately recommend doing the water pump at the same time. Part is not expensive, and you're already paying for all the labor when they do the timing belt.

Hope this helps - i know this is an old post. I would be interested to know if you got any more info since posting this (60k vs 105k, and were you at 128k with original timing belt)



Thanks

Nissan changed the timing belt design from a square tooth 60k belt to a rounded tooth 105k belt in the 7/93 production month. Amazing how many dealers still don't know that.

I have a 97 Pathfinder XE with 93k miles on it. I plan on having the timing belt done at 105k. I guess I am really struggling with replacing the water pump when I have had no problems with it and also wondering what other preventive maintenance items are recommended while doing the timing belt?

I have only owned it for about 6 months. So far so good. I wanted it for the 4wd in the snow. On a relatively flat surface with new M/S tires... anybody have experience on how deep I can go? I had no problem with about 1/2 foot on top of previously plowed/ice.

Don't ignore the waterpump.The pump will not make it to the next belt replacement.{Speaking from experience}

Doing my timing belt this week, don't forget the cam seals, very common for the passenger side cam seal to leak. While I'm in there I'm changing the timing belt, coolant hoses, all drive belts, water pump, thermostat, tensioner, cam seals and crank seal. Probably overkill but all easy to replace while in there.

I'd be interested to hear what condition the timing belt and tensioners are in when you replace them, and how many miles you had on that belt.
I didn't see mine when it was replaced at 65K, unfortunately, but will in the future.

According to one source (a guy who use to work as a mechanic at a Nissan dealer, who I've found very helpful and knowledgeable):
"For the timing belt, yes the 94-95's service manual `says' that they
can go 105,000 miles. There was a design change of the cam and crank
gears in relation to how the tooth on the belt was shaped or something
along that line that supposedly led to increased life of the belt.

Therein lies the dilemma. :-)

The belt is still made of the same materials as previous model years
and is still VERY susceptible to failure due to age rather than
mileage."

Link to the whole thread:
http://www.talkaboutautos.com/group/alt.autos.nissan/messages/114711.html

So - can any of you who have replaced timing belt, or will in near future (Lewisnc100!) share what the condition of belt and tensioners was when changed, mileage on belt, model year of Pathfinder? A little "real world data" would be interesting...

Here's some pics from my timing belt change this past week. Not sure if you can make out much from the picture of the old belt.

http://groups.msn.com/LewisPictures/97pathfindertimingbeltchange.msnw

Nice pics - looks like that was a fun little project - lol!
Timing belt looks in pretty good shape from the picture, but it is tough to tell. How did it look?