Does my 2001 3.3L V6 EFI Nissan Xterra have a non

edited from article by Larry Carley, ImportCar, September 2001

Import interference engines include the following:

* Virtually all Acura and Honda 4-cylinder and V6 passenger car engines;
* 1994 and newer Audi 2.8L V6;
* 1998 & up Audi 1.8L;
* All BMW 2.5L and 2.7L 6-cylinder;
* All Hyundai 4-cylinder and V6 engines;
* Infiniti 3.0L V6;
* Isuzu 1.5L, 2.0L, 2.3L & 2.6L engines;
* Kia 2.0L in the Sportage,
* Mazda 2.0L in the MX-6 and 626, and the 3.0L V6 in the 929 and MPV;
* Most Mitsubishi engines, except the 1.8L, SOHC 2.0L 4-cylinder & SOHC 3.0L V6;
* All Nissan 4-cylinder and V6 engines;
* All Porsche engines;
* 1989-'94 Suzuki 1.3L DOHC;
* Toyota 1.5L Tercel engine;
* 1990-'92 Volkswagen 1.6L diesel; and
* Volvo 2.3L and 2.4L engines.
Unfortunately, the owners of many of these vehicles are totally unaware that their timing belt needs to be periodically replaced for preventive maintenance. The belt is out-of-sight and out-of-mind and, unless they read their owner's manual (which few ever do) and see the replacement recommendation in black-and-white, they usually ignore the belt until it's too late.

Another List

Interference engines .....
Virtually all Acura and Honda 4-cylinder and V6 passenger car engines;
Kia 2.0L "Sportage"
Mazda 2.0L in the MX-6 and 626, and the 3.0L V6 in the 929 and MPV;
Mitsubishi engines, except the 1.8L, SOHC (My Galant!) 2.0L 4-cylinder & SOHC 3.0L V6;
All Nissan 4-cylinder and V6 engines
All Porsche engines
1989-'94 Suzuki 1.3L DOHC
Toyota 1.5L Tercel
1990-'92 Volkswagen 1.6L diesel
Volvo 2.3L and 2.4L engines.
1994 and newer Audi 2.8L V6
1998 & newer Audi 1.8L
BMW 2.5L and 2.7L 6-cylinder
Hyundai 4-cylinder and V6 engines
Infiniti 3.0L V6
Isuzu 1.5L, 2.0L, 2.3L & 2.6L engines;



Try here.

Vehicle:2000 - 2002 Kia Sportage
Brand:Dayco Timing Belt
Fits Engine - Chassis:
2.0L, 4 Cylinder, GAS, FI, VIN "3", 3FE, Interference Engine - Base, Water Pump Driven by Timing Belt
2.0L, 4 Cylinder, GAS, FI, VIN "3", 3FE, Interference Engine - EX, Water Pump Driven by Timing Belt
Part #:DY95281
Description:DAYCO TIMING BELT -- Timing Belt (Camshaft), Self-Lubricating Fabric Provides Exceptional Resistance To Abrasion, Resulting In Extended Pulley And Belt Life, The Molded COG Design Runs Quieter And Is More Economical Than Chain Drives, Our Premium, High Modulus Glass Fiber Non-Stretch Cord Delivers Precise Length Stability To Keep The Engine Running Smoothly Over The Life Of The Belt, The Belt?s Compounding And Tooth Configurations Are Designed For Specific Applications Ranging From Normal Service To High Performance And High Temperature Engines

Google this."Kia 2.0 DOHC interference engine?"

sorry interferance engine , what speed when belt gave way ?

I can't remember if that is interference or not but in reality even one that's not can still sustain damage if the cam timing is off by that much. 1/8 turn is around 45 degrees. In a non-interference engine you have at most, 12 degrees to play with as far as altering cam position (racers use that "window" to advance or ****** a cam for performance reasons). The only way to know before start up if there is a potential problem is to turn the engine slowly by hand two complete revolutions. Best is to actually put clay on a piston top and put the head on and do that, then measure how deep into the clay the valves went. If you turned the engine by hand and the engine refused to turn, AND you went no further, likely you did no damage. If you attempted to start it using the starter, chances are very high that you have either bent a valve, damaged a piston, or both.
If the engine is running, a bent valve will show up as rough running and a distinct vacuum fluctuation when using a vacuum gauge or backfiring through whichever valve is bent (with all else set properly).

its known as an interference engine however since it was idling i would give it 60/40 your favor.put a belt on it and hope for the best!

On a 3.3L engine V-6, Nissan recommends replacement every 105,000 miles, note that this is an interference engine, that piston to valve damage will happen in the event of a timing belt failure.

Xterra with 2.4L and 4.0L have timing chain only, no timing belt.

Dear Unsure About Timing Belt Replacement......You are CORRECT ...this xterra motor does have whatthey call an interference engine in it.......and yes it does require exact placement and alignment of the cam to crank timing marks. Cam lock stabilizers are invovled for a pain free install of the timing belt.... If you have never done one before I would suggest that this not be your first attempt......try smaller and work up to something like this.......If you do need any more help though please get back to me....thx for your time!!!!!HOPE I COULD HELP!!!

this is an interference motor, if cranked the valves will come into contact with the piston and cause major damage. Its very possible that valves may have bent(worst case). Have the belt replaced and engine pressure tested. Hopefully its not the worst case.

ckenby: I hate to be a party crasher, but being a Nissan Master Tech, I would have to differ "juncro" on the answer.
If the engine is turning when the belt breaks, your upper end will be scrap metal if it is turning more than an idle.
Unfortunately, all of Nissan's engines with timing belts that I know of are interference fit engines. There are pros and cons to those designs.
Sorry>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Normally YES, I would have a new belt fitted and try it just in case. I have had several 'interference' motors break a belt and not damage any valves. Its worth taking a chance before running the expense of pulling the heads off for inspection.