What is the easiest way to replace all of my belts on my 1996 Nissan Quest? Any tip(s) are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

best way is to get a chilton or haynes manual, they show you how they do it, and then just take it form there, you can find what is easier for you or not, but all belts are a Bi**h to deal with.

 

there is generally alot more than just taking the belts off, involved with changing the acc. drive belts. i would also recommend getting a repair manual of some sort, and make sure you have alot of mechanical knowledge.

 

My best advice is to let the Guys at the shop do it so it's done correctly....

Not being a smart guy, just offering information.
If you are not a sure of things , go to the pro's who do it every day and then learn from them...

WheelBrokerAng

 

i know everyone would like to save money and do it them self's. i would say if you can figure your things out and have a good full day to work with on the weekend or something i would say hit this up yourself. you would need a timing light to make sure you got the belts on correct but in the end when i finish something on my car i feel so good, because I KNOW I DID IT not someone else.

 

the accessory drive belts dont have anything to do with the timing...the timing belt and acc. belt are different...the biggest thing would be making sure thatyou have the correct belt routing...your van may have a decal under the hood displaying the belt routing....i did a ton of belts while working as a tech, on lots of different vehicles...and it isnt that hard, but sometimes loosening the tension from the tensioner to get the belt back on can be a bit tough but if you can rent, borrom, or buy a tensioner tool, it will make it LOTS easier...you may also have to remove things to gain access to the belt.

 

Thanks for all your imput. This past weekend, I spent two days in my garage working on the 96 Quest. I went ahead and replaced the plugs, wires, rotor, distributor cap, fuel filter, air filter and PCV valve on Saturday. Then on Sunday, I replaced the thermostat, ECT and temp sending unit sensors, both oxygen sensors, (3) betls 'ac to crank':'alternator to crank':'power steering to crank', the water pump, all three rubber hoses, front main oil seal, and off course the timing belt. It was a big job, but I had a great time in the garage. The Hanes manual did made things a lot easier to do.

All of the parts that I replaced all came out to be around $430.00 dollars with a lifetime warranty on the water pump. Our local Advance Auto parts store had all the parts in stock except for the front main oil seal. Good thing I replaced the main oil seal at this time...it was already leaking oil after 130,000 miles. I had bosch platinum plugs installed and they seem to work great. I also know that the oxygen sensors are also 'shut'. It was definitely due for replacement.

Overall, it really saved me tons of dollars in labor. DIY is the way to go.

***Let us keep the Nissan Quest running healthy***

 

well, sounds like you did one heck of a tune up! did everything go smoothly?

 

Patrick,
Last Saturday, the job went well except during the PCV valve replacement. Off all the places in the world, the PCV valve is located behind the upper intake close to the fire wall. It took me a while to realize how to get behind the tight space, but I was able to squeeze in a half inch wrench using a 19 or 21 mm deep well socket (I can't remember the exact size). I could barely move the wrench with my left hand, but it was much better than an adjustable wrench. The fuel filter is always a challenge, but always possible. Then on Sunday, I just had a little hard time loosening the two old oxygen sensors. I just had to add a little bit more anti-seize on the new bosch sensors for assurance. The front main oil seal took some time...making sure that I did not scratch the 'crank'. I was able to find a pipe with the right OD size that made inserting the new main seal easy. I took my time making sure that I did not miss anything...and it worked out as expected.

 

while working as a tech, i came across some O2 sensors that came out via the torch....usually on an older truck that has seen more than its share of salt and snow and such...i know exactly what you mean about the PCV; on my car, my 1,3, and 5 spark plugs are against the firewall, under the intake manifold. its like a three hour job to tune it up..[:@]

but its good to hear it went well...some of those things would have been top dollar items at a shop, glad to hear you saved yourself some money!