Hi guys bit of a tech `q`

Having done a customer`s cam seals last week, part of the job was naturally to remove the cam sprockets, as part of this is to remove the variable cams end plates I got to see some different springs to that are normally fitted.

 

The springs normally fitted are 5 coils which press to gether easily with the thumb and forefinger, these however were 4 coils of thicker material and needed two hands to press together!!

 

Anyone dealt with this before and would it seem likely to assume this is an upgrade ??? or a method of delaying the variable cam timing activation? (rev wise) or has some one fitted the wrong ones?? incidently the zed ran just fine.

 

Jeff

Hello Jeff

Sorry i cant help about the springs but could u please give me some advice regarding the cam seals. My 93 UKtt has an oil leak dripping on top of the A/C pump from what looks like the top corner of the engine. I thought it was the rocker cover so i re-sealed it afet removing hte manifold but it still leaks. The leak isnt bad but I an not sure where its coming from. Would the cam seal cause this leak. There isnt a lot of oil inside the cam cover, but when i put my hand up behind the cam cover and feel the back of the plate the cam cover it is wet and thats where the oil is running down from. I have only recently bought the car and it wasnt leaking when i bought it. Would the cam seal leak externally or am i barking up the wrong tree.

 

Hope u can help me.. cheers John Crisp

I am not 100% sure but almost cetrain the tension of that spring will not affect the cam timing points. It is there to remove and slack in the system. The actual timing change is performed by the cam sprocket rotating in relation to the cam, which is operated under oil pressure, actauted by the solenoids on the opposite end. There is a possibility that these springs are only there because they 'fitted' on a previous service - ie they are not the correct springs. Like I say though I don't think they will affect the operation or the cam timing...

 

HTH

 

CheerZ,

 

Andy

Sorry john hadn't seen your post there.

 

It sounds like you are getting some leakage from the cam seals. Has the cambelt been changed yet? If not your best bet is to order the full timing belt kit from http://www.courtesyparts.com which comes complete with the oil seals you require. IMO there should not be ANY 300s in this country now which haven't had a cambelt change - mileage alone is not good enough, they also deteriorate with age. Saying that there may be some post '96 models over here I suppose.....

 

CheerZ,

 

Andy

I recently replaced the timing belt in a car of a friend of mine and he ordered the timing belt kit (together with new springs) from Courtesy.

When I replaced the springs I noticed the new springs were a lot stiffer and made of a thicker material compared to the old ones and very similar to the ones you describe..

So I guess Nissan decided to use stiffer springs at some point.. Maybe because the less stiff ones aren't really up to the job in the long run ?

 

-Eric

Cheers Andy

The belt has been done b4 but i dont know when. I have some history from the previous owner from about 60 k miles, it has nearly 70 k on it now but the belt isnt mentioned in the bills.

I am sometimes getting a burning smell from the pass side of the engine from around the gap at the back of the enging though i ythink its the oil burning from the leak.I think i'll price the kit u mentioned.

 

Cheers Again Andy........John Crisp