OK so I have broken down and bought something that requires little to no maintenance for the time being. I was driving home two nights ago and my timing belt blew up. I quit <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> So now I am driving a 2006 Frontier and have fallen into the masses or normality. That being said, my wife and I are not abandoning the Ol Girl, we are keeping it as a project now. It seems a bit odd that timing belt went after only 47000 kms and it is an OEM one but I assume that it is because I drive it hard for having a low geared manual. I had a look today through the exploded cover and it actually looks like the belt is still partially intact so I may have dodged a bullet. Width wise, the belt is half shredded and half still on the pulley. It actually looks like the belt spun partially off the pulley and may have just slipped or jammed up somewhere. So that being said, anyone know if there is a chance that a timing belt could be converted to a timing chain on the 4d56??? I will not be buying a new Paj with a 4m40 as much as I would like to. I do not want to go through all that I have done to my current one to a new one. Plus I like the motor and still have faith. the truck will now be used as a camping rig and fun off roader as oppose to that plus a commuter. Plans to beef up the current motor a bit or rebuild, body lift, snorkel, front and rear lockers, new bumpers, winch, new sunroof, and possibly recaro seats with harnesses and integrated roll cage etc. May as well do it up now. The Nissan is an LE version so although it has a fancy tough roof rack and 4wd, it is still too pretty to take anywhere too hard core. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Hey, I understand. I bought a 2005 Ram 1500 Hemi Quad Cab recently. (Not that I really wanted a Dodge - but the price was too good to pass up.) Been shopping for something to tow a camper and the PAj just wouldn't cut it for our needs. Still, I do have plans for the Pajero now - including actually wheeling it!

Oh yeah. I have a brother who was Extremely Stupid a couple years ago and rolled his Frontier. I black 2006 or 7, I believe it was so it's nearly new. I can get you any parts you need, cheap and I'm going to see him at the end of the month!

sorry to hear Sean!!! that sounds like what happened to me exactly a year ago, my balance shaft belt let go and made the timing belt skip a couple teeth, I did dodge a bullet!!! mine only had 55,000km on it. it was Contitech brand belts, I have OEM on there now. maybe this is somewhat of a regular occurance, I know our 5-speed trucks with the 5.29's rev like crazy on the highway, I didn't think it actually made much difference.

I am going to do some more research on not putting the balance shaft belt on, I know guys do it but the balance shafts are there for a reason so I want to weigh out the pros and cons.

I'm glad your keeping it though!!! I am preparing to do a clutch in my truck (slipping like a biotch), and I've decided that if I'm doing a bunch more work to mine I will hang on to it for another few years.

hey Sean,
i saw your rig parked on 14th on my way home. (was that you?)
Anyways, i did not see anyone in it or i would have u-turned and hooked up a tow strap to help you out.

I was down in calgary last night and my friend said he saw one sitting on 14th that was identical to mine...

Yup, that was mine! Looked good there haha, I had some work buddies cruise by it and they said there were some people looking at it. Guess its good advertising for how awesome they are. The belt blew just past the hospital so I was fortunate to coast past the big concrete and steel barrier and make it that green space. I had it towed home the following morning so I must have just missed you guys lol.

As far as the balancer belt goes, I'm not sure it's that important to have. I got my truck around the 64000km mark and changed the belts about 100k. The balancer belt was never there as I found out. It was shredded and as such, I found out why the truck shook me out of my seat from the moment I got it. I think if you can live with that, the truck will too. Albeit, a few things may rattle loose more quickly.

Finally have healed enough to look at the ol tin beast a few days ago. SO the Balancer belt shredded apart and the timing belt is still half way intact. So now that I know what the problem is I just need to get it into the garage and start pulling it apart. Just have to add my levelling kit to the Frontier first. Newish Bilsteins (courtesy of Maurie) are all installed except the rear leafs. Just waiting on the levelling kit to arrive.

thats the same thing that happened to my pajero. are you sure your pistons made contact with the valves?? I would double check because I got lucky with mine. when mine quit on me it sounded like a metal pail full of billiard balls getting tossed off a roof!

Nope I am not sure at all. In fact, seeing that I would say there is a very good chance that all I need to do is replace the belts. When mine quit it sounded like someone stuffed a potato in the exhaust and it the compression was blowing out the top of the motor...Very muffled and almost like a jake brake <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />. Then it just died and we coasted.

well you may have gotten lucky!! you gotta get that beast going again!