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Z31 VG30E(t) Timing Belt Replacement and 60K Maintainance

Replacing the Z31 timing belt is one of the most important maintenance items for your Z31. The VG30E and VG30ET motors are interference engines, meaning the valves and pistons share a common space. If your timing belt fails, the valves will stop opening and closing but the pistons will keep moving, causing severe engine damage.

When the piston moves down, the intake valve opens to let air in, then closes for the compression stroke. At top dead center, the spark plug fires and the explosion pushes the piston down. At bottom dead center, the exhaust valve opens to let exhaust out and closes before the piston comes back up—preventing contact.

If your timing belt fails, the pistons will hit the valves, causing at least two bent or broken valves in the engine.
Damaged Z31 Valves
Note the tops of the valves laying on the pistons.
Broken Valve Tops
Note the missing valve tops—these were broken off when the pistons hit them.

Parts Needed

Part 1984-86 NA
Part #		 1984-86 Turbo
Part #		 1987-89 NA
Part #		 1987-89 Turbo
Part #		 Price
Belt - Timing 13028-16E85 $31.94
Belt - Alternator / Water Pump 11920-7B405 11720-V5302TM $8.80 – $13.55
Belt - A/C Compressor 02117-44523TM 02117-44523TM A192M-F61SMVW $12.12 – $13.55
Belt - Power Steering Pump 02117-04023TM 02117-04023TM A195M-F61SAVW $8.63 – $9.36
Timing Belt Tensioner 13070-42L00 $60.11
Tensioner Stud 13073-V5001 $1.73
Tensioner Spring 13072-V5210 $1.80
Tensioner Washer 13074-V5000 $2.12
Tensioner Lock Washer 09340-0014P $0.83
Tensioner Nut 08911-2401A $0.58
Seal - Camshaft (2 needed) 13042-0B001 $4.15
Seal - Crankshaft 13510-88G00 $4.25
CHTS - Cylinder Head Temp Sensor 22630-01P01 $27.16
CHTS - Subharness 24079-01P00 $16.10
Crankshaft Front Sprocket Plate 13023-V5000 $2.58
Crankshaft Rear Sprocket Plate 13022-V5001 $1.64
Crankshaft Timing Gear 13021-V5001 $28.04
Hose - Bypass 14055-01P00 $16.10
Hose - Lower Radiator 21503-01P61 $14.55
Hose - Upper Radiator - Front 21502-01P25 $24.48
Hose - Upper Radiator - Rear 21501-01P26 $21.04
Part A/B Series
Engine #		 W-Series
Engine #		 Price Notes
Waterpump 21010-02P26 21010-02P85 $80.20 – $100
Gasket - Waterpump 21014-V5002 N/A $3.83 Check pump box. RTV used on W-Series
Thermostat 21200-42L01 21200-V5010 $14.98 – $18.24
Gasket - Thermostat Housing 13050-V5011 N/A $3.57 RTV used on W-Series
Woodruff Key 00926-51600 00926-51600 $0.82 2 needed on W-Series
Quick Option: You can purchase the Timing Belt Kit, part number Z31-TBKITA1 from Courtesy Nissan.
Note: This kit does not include everything listed in the full parts chart above.
Z31 Timing Belt Kit Parts

Tools Needed

Tool Notes
Pulley puller
Seal puller Not necessary
Allen wrench set
White paint pen
Pry bar
Air impact wrench & impact sockets Makes some steps much simpler; a must for automatic
27 mm socket
Torque wrench
RTV silicone
Various metric sockets
Ratchet
Extensions

The Tear Down and Installation

  1. Remove lower engine shield (usually missing from most Z31s).
  2. Next is the cooling fan. Remove the four nuts holding it to the water pump pulley. Be careful not to drop them.
    Fan removal
  3. Remove the fan shroud and all engine belts.
    Fan shroud removal Belt removal
  4. Remove the crankshaft pulley (23mm bolt). For manuals, put the car in 5th gear and set the parking brake, then break the bolt loose. For automatics, use an air impact gun. Reinstall the bolt (without the pulley) so you can rotate the motor to align timing marks.
  5. Remove the A/C idler pulley (held on by bolts at each end).
  6. Remove the timing belt covers. Start with the upper one (many 8mm bolts), then the lower one.
    Timing cover
  7. Optional: Remove the spark plugs to make it easier to turn the motor for aligning timing marks.
  8. Align the motor and mark the location on the old belt and pulleys.
    Timing marks
  9. Remove the old thermostat and water pump and replace them. Do this with the old belt in place to avoid coolant spilling on the new belt.
    Waterpump Thermostat
  10. Decide if you will be replacing the oil seals.
  11. If replacing the oil seals, hold the cam sprockets and unbolt them, remove the sprockets, and replace the cam seals.
    Cam seal removal
  12. Replace the sprockets and torque to spec. Use the old belt for holding pulleys if needed. For automatics or engines out of the car, use air tools or a chain wrench with the old belt.
  13. There are no lips behind the cam seals—tap carefully!
    Cam seal installation
  14. Loosen the crank pulley bolt (1 x 27mm) using a real penetrating lubricant (PB Blaster). Remove the crank sprocket gently; do not pry or you may damage the oil pump housing.
    Crank sprocket removal
    Pro tip: Drill/tap two holes in the crankshaft sprocket to use a wheel puller for easy removal.
  15. Relieve tension on the timing belt tensioner, then remove the old belt. Replace the tensioner and tensioner stud.
    Tensioner replacement
  16. Install the new belt with the marks lined up on the pulleys. Be absolutely sure it’s correct!
    Timing marks Belt on engine
  17. Turn the engine over by hand a few times to ensure nothing interferes. (Note: The marks on belt/pulleys only line up again after many revolutions; do not worry if you are confident in your timing.)
  18. Adjust belt tension according to the shop manual. This may take a few tries—correct tension is crucial for belt life. Torque the lock nut to spec.
  19. Replace all removed items and start the engine. (Tip: Replace the 2-inch water hose between the thermostat housing and metal coolant pipe now, as these often leak.)

Torque Specs

Torque specs for Z31 timing belt

Sources Used