Using genuine Nissan parts is simple they are the best and often only cost a small amount more than non genuine parts. However I can see why it can seem a cost saving to use spurious brands as in most cases they look exactly the same and without any back to back details its hard to make an informed decision one such area is cambelts.

 

So with this in mind a non genuine belt was purchased and compared with a genuine Nissan belt the following photos shows the order of things as and as the finally show there is a big, big difference and I think some of you guys are going to be surprised.

 

Picture one the start on the left we have a BLUEPRINT belt and on the right a Nissan belt.

 

 

 

We start by lining up the first set of timing marks, the Nissan belt is on the bottom

 

 

 

Moving along to the next timing marks holding the belts in place the next two timing mark are already not the same on the non Nissan belt, they two mark are showing shortness of timing

 

 

Moving along to the next timing mark holding the belts in place the marks line up

 

 

Moving along to the next timing mark holding the belts in place the mark fails to line up again and show shortness of timing.

 

 

 

Moving along to the next timing mark holding the belts in place the marks line up

 

 

 

Moving along to the next timing mark holding the belts in place the mark fails to line up again but this time show extension of timing

 

 

 

Here we have the two belts side by side with the Nissan belt on the left, the materials are very different, the non Nissan belt is less firm

 

 

 

Here we have the two belts side by side with the Nissan belt on the bottom, look to the belt edge and you can clearly see a red reinforcement line in the genuine belt and non in the non genuine belt.

 

Also look carefully at the actual teeth shape in the valleys and peaks the non Nissan belt is very different, in fact when wrapped around a cam sprocket the fit is compromised.

 

 

 

As we can clearly see the two belts are not the same, the non genuine belt has compromises that will give poor cam timing, poor ignition timing, poor cam sprocket location, and more worringly the 60k change interval cannot be considered applicable as it can to a Nissan one as the belt strength does not match the Nissan one in material quality or fit.

 

Another concern is how many zeds are running on these belts with compromised valve and ignition timing as even if they are set reasonably well when first fitted they are going to stretch quickly and even more compromise creeps in, this I firmly believe is the route cause to why some zeds seem to not perform as well as an identical one.

 

Hope that clears up the if, buts and maybe`s on cambelts at least.

 

Jeff TT

Edited September 7, 200916 yr by JeffTT

nice one jeff, ive always believe in genuine parts only. theres a reason these parts are cheaper. I worked in the motor trade dealer parts and the quailty of genuine parts is next to none.

Well informative as ever!!! Thanks Jeff!

many thanks.. i am getting my belt changed soon i have taken note :)

how do we know the nissan timing marks are correct :tongue:

 

would be interesting to compare the timing marks on 2 nissan belts as the marking position might not have a very tight tolerances? on another note, how about a comparison to the so called 'performance belts' such as a greddy belt for quality and timing marks?

Thanks for the Cambelt change on my car last week Jeff. It was a long day out but all very worth the wait - very re-assuring to know all is well with my car and everything is now set up as it should be.

 

Yet another happy customer thanks to Jeff and his crew :hyper:

how do we know the nissan timing marks are correct :tongue:

 

would be interesting to compare the timing marks on 2 nissan belts as the marking position might not have a very tight tolerances? on another note, how about a comparison to the so called 'performance belts' such as a greddy belt for quality and timing marks?

 

Very valid point, have no doubt in my mind about the Nissan belts but in the interest of fair play will do a back to back of Nissan belts ( lucky have plenty in stock )and follow up this tomorrow:D

 

Jeff TT

 

PS FOR SALE ONE NON GENUINE TIMING BELT...GOING CHEAP...ANYONE?

NO WARRANY :rofl:

how do we know the nissan timing marks are correct :tongue:

 

would be interesting to compare the timing marks on 2 nissan belts as the marking position might not have a very tight tolerances? on another note, how about a comparison to the so called 'performance belts' such as a greddy belt for quality and timing marks?

 

The timing marks on any timing belt are for reference only and are there as an aid to fitting the belt. When fitting timing belts you should only go by the timing marks on the engine components.

 

Might be better comparisons to match the teeth themselves along a length say 2-3 feet and see if there is any difference?

EXCELLENT!:bow::duffer:

 

dan.:cool:

The timing marks on any timing belt are for reference only and are there as an aid to fitting the belt. When fitting timing belts you should only go by the timing marks on the engine components.

 

Might be better comparisons to match the teeth themselves along a length say 2-3 feet and see if there is any difference?

 

Interesting how do you work that out then matey? certainly the marks need aligning with the cam pullys and lower sprocket mark but cannot see how they can be for reference only as there is no facility to change that once fitted, however could see that been relevant as a start point when using adjustable cam pulleys but not standard gear.

 

The teeth count and belt length between and the camshaft and the lower crank sprocket determines the engine timing both camshaft wise and ignition timing wise so the alignment marks on the belt need to be acurate as they are crucial to the correct fitting,

 

Again the teeth gap, shape, and belt length is also a major factor, if say the timing marks are set at the correct teeth count gap but the belt length is still wrong due to inprecise manufacture then the valve / crank timing will be effected.

 

Anyway thanks for you input always good to have a bit of banter, again for agumant sake will check it out your way and post the pics later.

 

Jeff TT :D

Interesting how do you work that out then matey? certainly the marks need aligning with the cam pullys and lower sprocket mark but cannot see how they can be for reference only as there is no facility to change that once fitted, however could see that been relevant as a start point when using adjustable cam pulleys but not standard gear.

 

The teeth count and belt length between and the camshaft and the lower crank sprocket determines the engine timing both camshaft wise and ignition timing wise so the alignment marks on the belt need to be acurate as they are crucial to the correct fitting,

 

Again the teeth gap, shape, and belt length is also a major factor, if say the timing marks are set at the correct teeth count gap but the belt length is still wrong due to inprecise manufacture then the valve / crank timing will be effected.

 

Anyway thanks for you input always good to have a bit of banter, again for agumant sake will check it out your way and post the pics later.

 

Jeff TT :D

 

Well done Jeff, no one can beat your knowledge on a 300zx!!!!

 

Al.

did you manage to do a teeth showdown?

Well done Jeff, no one can beat your knowledge on a 300zx!!!!

 

Al.

 

I totally Agree with that :)

And I also believe it is such a bonus that we are fortunate enough to have a zed specialist taking time out to share his in depth knowledge with us. Top bloke! :duffer:

I totally Agree with that :)

And I also believe it is such a bonus that we are fortunate enough to have a zed specialist taking time out to share his in depth knowledge with us. Top bloke! :duffer:

 

I second that motion!!

 

Al.

That might explain it, my car ran well before i had it serviced for the first time in march 08' ( not the first time it was ever serviced, the first i had done owning the car) it was fitted with a blueprint cambelt and i have to say over the period of a year, i have encountered, det sensor (N/A so not as important as a TT) but still annoying, as i get pinking under 3k revs or under load.

More recently, seems very sluggish, so it has affected other factors in the engine possibly eg: timing may be out slightly, my tps is out a bit after a consult check anyway, which wont help. It ticks over fine,but does have a bit of hesitation sometimes, but i roughly know what causes that.

Could this be a possibility or am i barking up the wrong tree?

 

Cheers

Graham

Another good, informative thread from Jeff....:bow:

 

For such vital components I reckon it's clear that "pattern" parts should not be used in place of OEM items. Wasn't there a similar comparison between the NIssan waterpump and the Blueprint copy some time back? IIRC the Nissan one had a much bigger impeller; thus could pump the water around the engine more effectively.....

 

....And we all have the same opinion on oil filters.....;)

 

Richard:D

Very interesting Thread :D

whats the thoughts on GATES TIMING BELT?

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GATES-TIMING-BELT-Nissan-300zx-twin-turbo-3-0-24v_W0QQitemZ290136442085QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item438d7ac4e5

 

dan.:tongue_smilie:

whats the thoughts on GATES TIMING BELT?

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GATES-TIMING-BELT-Nissan-300zx-twin-turbo-3-0-24v_W0QQitemZ290136442085QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item438d7ac4e5

 

dan.:tongue_smilie:

 

I use a Nissan Timing belt, but for the aux belts i use gates, they are really good belts!

Well Dannzx the Gates belt is better than the Blue print by a long way and in all fairness have not done the same back to back comparison with the Nissan one and Gates have a long good reputation.

 

But if working to service mileages its difficult to know what they are likely to be with an non genuine belt as only the car manuafacturer reccomends individial model change intervals, will the gates one last as long as a Nissan one?? will it be good in normal service? probably...belt savings not really worth it.

 

Jeff TT

Well Dannzx the Gates belt is better than the Blue print by a long way and in all fairness have not done the same back to back comparison with the Nissan one and Gates have a long good reputation.

 

But if working to service mileages its difficult to know what they are likely to be with an non genuine belt as only the car manuafacturer reccomends individial model change intervals, will the gates one last as long as a Nissan one?? will it be good in normal service? probably...belt savings not really worth it.

 

Jeff TT

 

Jeff, Is it true that if you buy and have you're cambelt done at a nissan dealer and the belt then fails before the recommended mileage/time then nissan will pay for the engine repair?

Gates supply many belts to the dealers too as I have just got one for my Impreza which incidently has several Nissan switches etc fitted to it :rofl:

Jeff, Is it true that if you buy and have you're cambelt done at a nissan dealer and the belt then fails before the recommended mileage/time then nissan will pay for the engine repair?

 

Well in theory yes but only if a provable manufacturing fault was evident with the belt and the belt had been changed in accordance with any set schedule ie all belt pulleys, adjuster etc, etc.

 

In fact, one of the cambelt suppliers ( can not remember the name at the moment) who advertise to the trade offer this very warranty to garages, where if you buy their belts and do everything correctly they will pay for any engine damage if it occurs due to a faulty belt failing.

 

Jeff

Well in theory yes but only if a provable manufacturing fault was evident with the belt and the belt had been changed in accordance with any set schedule ie all belt pulleys, adjuster etc, etc.

 

In fact, one of the cambelt suppliers ( can not remember the name at the moment) who advertise to the trade offer this very warranty to garages, where if you buy their belts and do everything correctly they will pay for any engine damage if it occurs due to a faulty belt failing.

 

Jeff

 

Cheers Jeff, that's helped a great deal.

Just to add to that, have had at least 3 occasions where belts have been fitted incorrectly by main dealers that in fair did not end up in any damage but had to be redone by myself and non of the them accept any liability and in fact refused to accept they had done anything wrong, the burden of proof is always the hardest hurdle to cross in these instances.

 

Jeff TT

The amount of difference between the markers on the belt would not lead to the timing being out. The 'step' difference on the sprockets is quite large and you would have to be a plank to get it wrong. Also to my knowledge Nissan do not make their own timing belts although they are stamped Nissan. I would not be surprised if Gates were not the actual manufacturer. Car makers cannot possibly make every item fitted to their vehicles because of the specialist techniques and testing, which would be costly, i.e., most manufacturers, if not all get their headlights made by existing companies in this field who spend possibly millions developing lighting technology. That said, if changing your belts, any belt that is, go for a known make and not an Ebay cheapy from Taiwan.