1996 Nissan Maxima Timing Belt or Chain

NISSAN MAXIMA
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GILLHAM68
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I have a 1996 Nissan Maxima GLE with 188,000 miles. I am trying to find out does my car have a timing belt or chain and what/if any maintenance needs to be done right now. I have not been able to find any info in the car manual
Jul 24, 2006 at 10:16 AM
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MIKEYBDMAN
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[quote:f06dbce5ea="gillham68"]I have a 1996 Nissan Maxima GLE with 188,000 miles. I am trying to find out does my car have a timing belt or chain and what/if any maintenance needs to be done right now. I have not been able to find any info in the car manual[/quote:f06dbce5ea]

If this is the V6-2968cc 3.0L DOHC MFI (VQ30DE), then it is chains. You have a timing chain, and also 2 camshaft chains.
I did find a service bulletin about timing chain noise. It basically replaces the original chain tensioner with a new and improved one. As for a time to replace the chain, it does not list one.
What to do as far as service is just regular service. Oil, fluids, filters, plugs.
Bascially if you have been changing the oil, both engine and trans, and replacing the coolant when needed, regular tune ups like plugs and filters is about all your car needs.
are you having problems with the car?
Jul 24, 2006 at 10:32 AM
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Suggested Repair

If the engine is the 3.0L VQ30DE, it uses a timing chain plus two camshaft chains, with no listed chain replacement interval. Continue regular maintenance: engine and transmission oil, coolant, filters, and spark plugs. A service bulletin addresses timing chain noise by replacing the original tensioner with an updated unit if noise is present.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1996 Nissan Maxima GLE with 188,000 miles asked whether it has a timing belt or chain and what maintenance is due. The expert said the 3.0L VQ30DE uses timing chains rather than a belt and has no listed chain replacement interval. Routine fluid, filter, and spark plug service was recommended, with a tensioner update noted for chain noise.

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