My 98 Pathfinderis coming up on 168,000 kmwhen it will be due for a new timing belt. I've been referring to the Haynes manual for Pathfinders 96-04 and it states "On 1999 and later3.3L engines, the air conditioning system must be evacuated before beginning this repair." Looking under the hood of my 98, I see a pipe from theA/C compressor running directly in front of the timing belt cover, which looks like it will have to come out for thecover to be removed. Has anyone done this procedure on a 98? Can the belt cover come out and the belt changed with the A/C line still installed? Thanks for any insight.

Dvo

 

working on the timing belt on a 97 and came across this problem. You can either have someone hold the pipe back and you pry the cover from underneath (with your hands only- NO TOOLs!). I did and it worked. If you dont feel comfortable doing it, then you can un bolt the compressor from its hinge and lift it (set it aside) and it will be out of the way.

That is 2 ways of doing it without evac the ac. Be careful not to bend that pipe. There are two bolts that is holding that black pipe behind it and then you can have more room to work with the ac line.