🔧 Murano - Timing Belt Replacement

Your Murano does not have a timing belt. The 3.5L V6 uses a timing chain (metal chain inside the engine) that’s lubricated by engine oil and normally isn’t replaced on a schedule like a belt.

If you’re hearing rattling on cold start, have cam/crank correlation codes, or suspect stretched chain/guides, the correct job is timing chain service (chain, guides, tensioners). This is a big, precision repair.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 8-14 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cold engine; hot coolant/oil can burn you.
• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery terminal to prevent accidental cranking.
• ⚠️ Support the engine before removing any engine-side mount/bracket.
• ⚠️ Keep timing marks correct—wrong timing can cause severe engine damage.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Metric socket set (8mm-22mm)
• Metric wrench set (8mm-22mm)
• 1/4" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• Torque wrench (10-250 ft-lbs range)
• Angle gauge (specialty)
• Harmonic balancer puller kit (specialty)
• Crankshaft pulley holding tool (specialty)
• Trim clip remover
• Flathead screwdriver
• Phillips screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Serpentine belt tool or long 14mm wrench
• Drain pan (at least 10-quart)
• Razor scraper
• Plastic gasket scraper
• Brake cleaner spray
• RTV sealant applicator tip
• Fender cover
• Shop light
• Paint marker

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Timing chain set (primary chain) - Qty: 1
• Timing chain guides - Qty: 1 set
• Timing chain tensioner(s) - Qty: 1 set
• Front timing cover gasket/seal kit - Qty: 1
• Front crankshaft seal - Qty: 1
• Valve cover gasket set - Qty: 1
• Thermostat housing gasket/O-ring (as applicable) - Qty: 1
• Engine coolant (Nissan-compatible) - Qty: 2-3 gallons (premix equivalent)
• Engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• RTV sealant (engine front cover type) - Qty: 1
• Serpentine drive belt (recommended if worn) - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Murano on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
• Disconnect the negative battery cable using a 10mm socket.
• Raise the front end with a floor jack and support with jack stands.
• Plan for downtime: once the timing cover is off, the car can’t be moved easily.
• Take photos before removing each bracket/connector.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove splash shields and access area

• Remove the lower engine splash shield using a trim clip remover and 10mm socket.
• Set all clips/bolts aside in labeled containers.

Step 2: Drain coolant and engine oil

• Place a drain pan under the radiator drain and open it carefully.
• Drain the engine oil from the oil pan using the correct socket from your metric socket set (8mm-22mm).
• Remove the oil filter using your oil filter wrench (within a filter tool kit) if needed.

Step 3: Remove the serpentine belt and front accessories (as needed)

• Release belt tension using a serpentine belt tool or long 14mm wrench, then remove the belt.
• Remove any accessory brackets blocking the front cover using your metric socket set (8mm-22mm).

Step 4: Support the engine and remove the engine-side mount/bracket (if required for clearance)

• Support the engine lightly from below with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) and a wood block.
• Remove mount/bracket bolts using a metric socket set (8mm-22mm).
• Only lift enough to take weight off the mount.

Step 5: Remove the crankshaft pulley (harmonic balancer)

• Hold the crank pulley with a crankshaft pulley holding tool (specialty).
• Loosen the crank bolt using a 1/2" drive breaker bar.
• Remove the pulley using a harmonic balancer puller kit (specialty).
• Torque spec note: Crank bolt is a critical fastener and is commonly torque-to-yield; use a torque wrench and angle gauge and follow Nissan’s exact spec for your Murano during reassembly.

Step 6: Remove valve covers (for timing reference access)

• Disconnect components as needed (coils/hoses/connectors) using needle-nose pliers and your metric socket set (8mm-22mm).
• Remove valve cover bolts with the appropriate socket from your metric socket set (8mm-22mm).
• Lift covers off carefully and remove old gaskets.

Step 7: Set engine to top dead center (TDC) on cylinder #1

• Rotate the engine by hand at the crank using the correct socket and a 1/2" drive breaker bar.
• Align timing marks per Nissan procedure; use a paint marker to make your own reference marks.
• Never rotate backward once marks are aligned.

Step 8: Remove the front timing cover

• Remove all front cover bolts using your metric socket set (8mm-22mm).
• Carefully separate the cover (do not pry on sealing surfaces) using a plastic gasket scraper if needed.
• Clean old RTV from both surfaces using a razor scraper, plastic gasket scraper, and brake cleaner spray.

Step 9: Replace timing chain, guides, and tensioner(s)

• Relieve and remove the tensioner(s) using your metric socket set (8mm-22mm).
• Remove chain guides using your metric socket set (8mm-22mm).
• Remove the chain and install the new chain, aligning the colored links with the sprocket timing marks.
• Install new guides and tensioner(s); then release the tensioner pin to apply tension.
• Torque spec note: Guide/tensioner/cam sprocket fasteners must be torqued to Nissan specs—do not “feel-tighten.” Use your torque wrench (10-250 ft-lbs range).

Step 10: Replace front crank seal and reseal the timing cover

• Remove the old front crank seal and install the new one squarely.
• Apply Nissan-style RTV bead to the timing cover using your RTV sealant applicator tip.
• Reinstall the front cover and hand-start all bolts before tightening.
• Torque spec note: Front cover bolts have specific tightening order and torque; use Nissan specs and a torque wrench.

Step 11: Reassemble accessories, mounts, and crank pulley

• Reinstall brackets/mounts using your metric socket set (8mm-22mm) and torque wrench (10-250 ft-lbs range).
• Reinstall the crank pulley and crank bolt using the crankshaft pulley holding tool (specialty), torque wrench, and angle gauge (specialty).
• Reinstall the serpentine belt using a serpentine belt tool or long 14mm wrench.

Step 12: Refill fluids

• Install a new oil filter and refill oil with engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic).
• Refill coolant with Nissan-compatible coolant.
• Bleed air from the cooling system per Nissan procedure.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and listen for abnormal chain noise; it should be quiet after initial oil pressure builds.
• Check for oil and coolant leaks around the timing cover and front crank seal.
• Bring the engine to operating temperature and verify the heater blows hot (helps confirm coolant bleeding).
• If you had a check engine light, scan and confirm no cam/crank correlation codes return.
• Recheck oil and coolant levels after the first short drive.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $1,800-$3,500 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $350-$900 (parts only)

You Save: $1,450-$2,600 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 8-14 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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