Changing Pathfinder timing belt

[fratib]

Hi
I just bought a 97 Pathfinder with 74K miles, and I know it needs to have the timing belt changed. How hard is it to change, and what parts should also be changed? Also if it is possible to do myself is there a place where can I find good information like a step by step?

Thanks

Bob

[lewisnc100]

Your timing belt isn't due for a timing belt change until 105k, should be good till then. Can't give much info on the change since I'm still 5k away from mine. But from other posts the recommendation is to get the water pump and accessory belts while you're in there. I've seen Nissan coupons on NissanUSA.com every once in a while for timing belt changes for 299.95, can't beat that deal if they have it again.

[cyclone1410]

Originally Posted by fratib

Hi
I just bought a 97 Pathfinder with 74K miles, and I know it needs to have the timing belt changed. How hard is it to change, and what parts should also be changed? Also if it is possible to do myself is there a place where can I find good information like a step by step?

Thanks

Bob

It is not just miles (kilometres) traveled that governs when a timing belt should be changed. Time plays a large part as well. Timing belts are made of rubber and like most rubber products have a basic life of 6 to 8 years (this includes tyres by the way). Nissan Australia (and the motoring associations here) recommends changing the belts at around 6 to 7 years. The cost of changing a belt on a Pathy is not cheap (around $600.00 AUS) but it is a shitload cheaper than replacing bent valves and damaged piston crowns. When in doubt - change it out. Still its your car and your money - it is just a matter of weighing up the risk.

[lewisnc100]

In general most vehicles recommend changing them at 60k, but the newer pathfinders and a couple other Nissan vehicles recommend them changed at 105k. From many many others that have changed the timing belts themselves this is a conservative mileage and you should be fine changing it by then, belts changed at 130k still had plenty of life from the pictures. If you want to research then look at some of the offroad Nissan sites that have 1000s of members and tons of maintenance history, one thing you won't find is anyone that blew a timing belt < 105k or ever as far as I have been able to find. Check out www.4x4parts.com, www.nissan4wheelers.com, www.nissanforums.com, www.nissanoffroad.net.

[Driver1979]

Originally Posted by lewisnc100

I've seen Nissan coupons on NissanUSA.com every once in a while for timing belt changes for 299.95, can't beat that deal if they have it again.

I checked out their website, didn't see any coupons. Am I looking in the right place?

[cyclone1410]

Originally Posted by lewisnc100

In general most vehicles recommend changing them at 60k, but the newer pathfinders and a couple other Nissan vehicles recommend them changed at 105k. From many many others that have changed the timing belts themselves this is a conservative mileage and you should be fine changing it by then, belts changed at 130k still had plenty of life from the pictures. If you want to research then look at some of the offroad Nissan sites that have 1000s of members and tons of maintenance history, one thing you won't find is anyone that blew a timing belt < 105k or ever as far as I have been able to find. Check out www.4x4parts.com, www.nissan4wheelers.com, www.nissanforums.com, www.nissanoffroad.net.

Well I can show you four vehicles (one Pathy, two Pintaras (Stanza to the Yanks), and the other a Bluebird. In all cases the vehicles had not done the required kilometres (100k) but had gone in excess of 8 years (8, 11, 11.5, and 13 to be exact). This is not to mention a few non-Nissans that I can show you including a couple of Toyotas, Daihatsus, and the odd Suzuki. Time is a factor. It may be less of a problem with new (released in the last two to three years) vehicles but the vehicle in question is in excess of 6 years old.

[lewisnc100]

Originally Posted by Driver1979

I checked out their website, didn't see any coupons. Am I looking in the right place?

I think you are but it was posted a while back. I haven't seen any coupons lately and yesterday it looks like my water pump has started to leak so I'll be getting the timing belt changed sooner than I thought.

[Giant]

I ignored everyones advice to change their timing belt, until one day my water pump blew..well SOMEONE talked me into chnaging the timing belt while I was in there! Two months later the NEW belt BROKE!!!!!!!!!!!

Kaplooey! Goodbye Valves, Goodbye Heads, Goodbye Cylinders!


$600 is a BARGAIN!

Giant

[gemini6]

I'm in the Philadelphia, PA region; my local dealers offer a $340 timing belt replacement coupon special. If you browse to the Nissan web site, find a local dealer (near the bottom of the page), check out their services, you should see service specials or coupons.
Mine is good through the end of March, 2004.