While I was taking my alternator out I pulled to hard and the alternator turned. Attempted to place it back in its orginal position and start the car. The car had problems starting, revved between 200-1,700rpms for about 15-20 seconds and then died. So I tried readjusting (3-4mm turn) and now the damn thing wont start. Is there a way to check the timing without taking it to Nissan. I dont think I can drive the car.

 

Your alternator messed up your timing? Distributor maybe? It's late, I know...

 

first. NEVER take your car to nissan dealers.
NO MATTER WHAT.

Second. Find top dead center of cylinder 1. Then set pull out your dist. and place the rotor so it is facing the NO. 1 spark plug wire. That should get you close enough to time it.

If that doesnt make sence, to a search for timing or something.

 

yeah sorry I meant distributor. Im so worried about this that I couldnt even think straight last night. Anyway Im fixing to do a search, the FSM doesnt help me with this one.

There seem to be no markings except "Japan" written twice on the chain itself. So I kinda had to eye ball the indentions on the cam sprockets and made sure that the cam lobes for #1 were pointing away from the spark plugs.

Ok n00b question though. Can the timing be knocked off if the distributor is turned but the shaft is not. Again, if the shaft stays in orginal position but the distributor is turned does that throw off the timing?

 

Yes, it will be off. I'm not 100% how right I am, so somebody feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

 

i turned mine, didnt change anything, but to be safe i set it by bringing the 1st cylinder...ect and it runs.

 

well set it to TDC again and matched the rotor to the #1 cly. on the cap. Tried to start the car...wouldnt turn over. My starter finally went out for good. So I went and bought a starter, got it installed (not as hard and some folks make it out to be, you just have to be flexible Anyway, tried to start the car again. Sputter, sputter, knock, knock, knock. I quit before I screwed anything up. Its 9PM here in GA and im tired as hell. I think Im going to break down and have it towed to Nissan tomorrow so they can set the timing. Unless I can figure out how to get a timing light to work on this car...doesnt the car have to be running for the timing light to work???

 

that sux man, good luck with that. Let us know how it all works out.

 

Well Nissan just called they said it going to be $89 for the diagnostics, and that my Bosch Platinum spark plugs are the wrong plugs, that there's gas on them (isnt gas suppose to be on them!! Thats how the freakin car starts!!!) and now they are fould...bull****, those plugs are 2 months old, there is nothing wrong with them. But I was polite with them on the phone, told them to set the plugs aside so I can take a look at them. Im not paying for new plugs...bottom line

 

well looking at the spark plugs I guess i did need new ones!! They were black! So to total yesterday's expensives
Tow from Byron to Macon - $55
Parts and Labor (Nissan): $213.70
For a total of $268.70

but the good news is that the car runs better than it did before and no more chain chatter. So all in all the car is back to great running condition, so thats good. Now if I can just get the rear weatherstripping replaced Ill be good to go.

 

whats wrong the nissan dealerships.. **** i work there..!!!!

 

i think mine will be going soon. how much do you think it will cost just for them to look it over and make sure everything is set right. i swaped a new ka-e motor in mine. i worked at honda dealership over the summer.... :-( .....lol

 

Good to know u got it all fixed up, lemme know when u get that weatherstripping done 'n' also where u get the parts for it, i think my car needs that replaced too...

 

so much fr driving it up here this weekend to do that timing chain and starter... aint it good to be young and flexable??? im old and stiff... glad it is going for you...
on another note... anyone you know of have a psare 240 head they dont need??? i need one complete with valves so i can get my other motor runnin...

 

that sucks.

you basically paid 300 bucks to have the timing set(five min.) and for new plugs that could have been wire brushed clean.

live and learn.

Nothing against nissan dealerships except they R A P E you on the price. simple as that.