IP Belt Tensioner

Discuss (and cuss) the Nissan LD-series OHC Six diesel engine, popularly available in the US in 1981-83 Datsun/Nissan Maxima Sedans & Wagons.

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dieseldorf
Posts: 192
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Location: Oracle, AZ

IP Belt Tensioner

#1

Post by dieseldorf »

[begin edit 06Jul2014 ALS

I'm slipping this in at the beginning of Chris' thread, so you don't have to read four pages of posts to get the summary, which is: the LD28 injection pump belt tensioner hasn't been available from Nissan for several years. The bearing in them does wear out and get sloppy, and if you use it long enough, it can take out your belt. The good news is that I am set up to rebuild the tensioner, installing a new, welded axle shaft that supports a double-row quality SKF bearing that is not only "lifetime" rated for this application, but can be replaced if you ever thought you needed to. There's a lot of discussion in this thread, and I've included pictures & dimensions if you care to read on, but if you just want to buy a replacement belt tensioner . . .


Click HERE for larger
Image


The price was $160 + $20 core in 2007, and remains the same in Jul2014. Contact me via email (yes, that means you have to register to be a member of this forum).

Al
[end edit]

[edit 01Feb2019 ALS

Too many cores came back to me with bent or rusty pulleys: I am out of cores, so I can only rebuild your core.

[edit 12Jul2019 ALS]

I'm thinking about having replacement pulleys fabricated. See this post.

I do still have plenty of SKF bearings and custom axles.

Hey Guys,
I am in the process of replacing the timing chain/gears and IP timing belt.
I have all the parts except the belt tensioner pulley.
I could not locate it anywhere. No parts store has even the part number.
Can someone direct me to a source and/or provide the part #??
Thanks
Astro Van with LD28 propulsion
'84 Mercedes 190D 2.2L 5-Speed Manual purchased 06/12 SOLD 06/13
'86 Ford Escort Wagon Diesel MT Sold 07-17-08
goglio704
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Location: East Tennessee

#2

Post by goglio704 »

Matt B.

83 Maxima Sedan, LD28, 5 speed, white, 130k miles. My original Maxima.
83 Maxima Sedan converted from gasser, LD28, 5 speed, 2 tone blue, 230k miles
82 Maxima Sedan, LD28, 3 speed auto, 2 tone Gray/Silver, 140k miles
81 810 Sedan, LD28, 3 speed auto, rust, rust, and more rust!

2005 Jeep Liberty CRD
User avatar
dieseldorf
Posts: 192
Joined: 17 years ago
Location: Oracle, AZ

IP Belt Tensioner

#3

Post by dieseldorf »

Thank you Matt. :D
Astro Van with LD28 propulsion
'84 Mercedes 190D 2.2L 5-Speed Manual purchased 06/12 SOLD 06/13
'86 Ford Escort Wagon Diesel MT Sold 07-17-08
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asavage
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Re: IP Belt Tensioner

#4

Post by asavage »

dieseldorf wrote:Can someone direct me to a source and/or provide the part #?
It's in the FAQ, IP Belt Section.

AFAIK, there is no aftermarket source. A couple of us have stashed old ones, and if they become either expensive or unavailable, I can have a new axle machined and replace the brg within the tensioner directly. Until then, it's cheapest to buy it from Nissan.
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
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dieseldorf
Posts: 192
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Location: Oracle, AZ

IP Belt Tensioner not available

#5

Post by dieseldorf »

I ordered at nismoparts.com and got this email:
nismoparts.com wrote:Thanks for the order! The part you have ordered is no longer available through Nissan. Your order has been canceled and your card was never charged.

If you have any questions concerns please e-mail me back or give me a call @888-449-5131.

Thanks,

Shea Merritt
http://www.nismoparts.com
Your #1 Online Nismo Source!!
:cry:
Astro Van with LD28 propulsion
'84 Mercedes 190D 2.2L 5-Speed Manual purchased 06/12 SOLD 06/13
'86 Ford Escort Wagon Diesel MT Sold 07-17-08
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asavage
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#6

Post by asavage »

That is correct, according to my "local" Nissan parts guy. He says he sees several on backorder, but they've been on B/O for months, which usually means NLA.

So, I'll carry mine down to the machine shop and get some axles made. Or does someone else want to make a run of them?
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
83_maxima
Posts: 423
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Denver

Re: IP Belt Tensioner not available

#7

Post by 83_maxima »

dieseldorf wrote:I ordered at nismoparts.com and got this email:

Thanks for the order! The part you have ordered is no longer available
through
Nissan. Your order has been canceled and your card was never charged.
If you
have any questions concerns please e-mail me back or give me a call
@888-449-
5131.

Thanks,

Shea Merritt
http://www.nismoparts.com
Your #1 Online Nismo Source!!
:cry:
Wow, I just ordered one from them the month before last and received it post haste.

I wonder what else is slowly becoming NLA...

This is what I received from Nismo parts dot com.

Image

I am assuming that this is the correct part.
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asavage
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#8

Post by asavage »

That is the correct part. I just carved mine up today, took measurements and pictures. I am not going to be able to rework this as I thought, but there are several ways to skin this particular cat. I want a good balance of ease of fabrication, durability (the 6203 brg Nissan uses is not a good first choice), future serviceability, and cost.

Ideas I have so far are include:
  • Fab completely from scratch (reusing base bracket). 2.375 cold-rolled stock, shouldered bore roller (shoulder to outside), snap ring groove to inside, stepped axle, axle interiour thread and retaining washer.
  • Reuse roller shell, use dbl-row ball brg instead of single-row 6203 -- there is plenty of room. Axle retention TBD. Continue to use interference fit to shell.
  • Use tensioner roller & brg from some other existing application -- roller OD does not need to match exactly, +-0.5" probably OK. Custom axle needed.
Ben, don't toss your old tensioner. I'm going to need cores.

Image Image Image Image Image Image Image Image Image

The OEM setup has the axle being the inner race; it is not a separate piece. This is not all that unusual, but it does complicate replacement. As supplied, it has very different heat treat from one end to the other.

That number on the inner seal, "6203LU" is a generic designation and does not spec the integral shaft.

Image
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
goglio704
Posts: 726
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: East Tennessee

#9

Post by goglio704 »

2 points...

1. Nismoparts.com can be a little quick on the trigger about calling something NLA. If there is not currently one in the US, it is NLA as far as they are concerned.

2. Al, count me in if you go to get these produced.
Matt B.

83 Maxima Sedan, LD28, 5 speed, white, 130k miles. My original Maxima.
83 Maxima Sedan converted from gasser, LD28, 5 speed, 2 tone blue, 230k miles
82 Maxima Sedan, LD28, 3 speed auto, 2 tone Gray/Silver, 140k miles
81 810 Sedan, LD28, 3 speed auto, rust, rust, and more rust!

2005 Jeep Liberty CRD
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asavage
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Location: Oak Harbor, Wash.
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#10

Post by asavage »

I put a couple hours in, have some more ideas. I'll try to keep it in front, but I have a lot of irons in the fire, so don't expect results for weeks, rather than days.

My "local" Nissan dealer confirms somewhat that it's NLA.
goglio704
Posts: 726
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: East Tennessee

#11

Post by goglio704 »

Al, I figured this would take some time, I've been looking at it too. The timing belt area of my spare engine is wide open. If you need any dimensional data, let me know. Have you considered using a shoulder screw for the axle?

Later...

So much for the shoulder screw (bolt) idea. 17 mm ID is the likely ID of a replacement bearing. Shoulder screws are not typically available with that shoulder OD.
Matt B.

83 Maxima Sedan, LD28, 5 speed, white, 130k miles. My original Maxima.
83 Maxima Sedan converted from gasser, LD28, 5 speed, 2 tone blue, 230k miles
82 Maxima Sedan, LD28, 3 speed auto, 2 tone Gray/Silver, 140k miles
81 810 Sedan, LD28, 3 speed auto, rust, rust, and more rust!

2005 Jeep Liberty CRD
goglio704
Posts: 726
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: East Tennessee

#12

Post by goglio704 »

I found a company in Taiwan which claims to offer an LD28 timing belt tensioner. I have contacted them by email. I'll post results if and when I get them. Their part number is BT-10528.

http://www.automotivebearings.net/
Matt B.

83 Maxima Sedan, LD28, 5 speed, white, 130k miles. My original Maxima.
83 Maxima Sedan converted from gasser, LD28, 5 speed, 2 tone blue, 230k miles
82 Maxima Sedan, LD28, 3 speed auto, 2 tone Gray/Silver, 140k miles
81 810 Sedan, LD28, 3 speed auto, rust, rust, and more rust!

2005 Jeep Liberty CRD
User avatar
asavage
Site Admin
Posts: 5431
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Oak Harbor, Wash.
Contact:

#13

Post by asavage »

I sent pictures and dimensional data to an online supplier of NTN brgs, but they said they don't offer NTN brgs with integral shafts, period.

Strangely, I have a Ford 2.3l cam belt tensioner here that also has a 6203 with an integral shaft (though obviously a different shaft). Somebody is buying these brgs. Cheapest would be to be able to buy a couple dozen of them, then figure out how to attach them to the plate.

If that doesn't pan out, then a double-row ball brg on a custom axle with retaining nut or similar would be my next choice, salvaging the OEM roller. A double-row brg would be a lifetime brg in this application, which is attractive.

If all else fails, I can make the roller too. That tends to drive the price up considerably though, unless you can get an enthusiast to turn them out.
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
goglio704
Posts: 726
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: East Tennessee

#14

Post by goglio704 »

I ordered one. It was $15 for the part and $25 for shipping. They take Paypal. I'll let everybody know how it works out.
Matt B.

83 Maxima Sedan, LD28, 5 speed, white, 130k miles. My original Maxima.
83 Maxima Sedan converted from gasser, LD28, 5 speed, 2 tone blue, 230k miles
82 Maxima Sedan, LD28, 3 speed auto, 2 tone Gray/Silver, 140k miles
81 810 Sedan, LD28, 3 speed auto, rust, rust, and more rust!

2005 Jeep Liberty CRD
davehoos
Posts: 525
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Karuah Valley,NSW Australia
Contact:

#15

Post by davehoos »

as normal its the cost of shipping small numbers.
thats not over the top.these things are normally sold as a kit.

CD IP belt uses the same bearing [6203LU] idea but bolts on with a 8 mm bolt as an exentric.it uses a loose wound spring to tension it.


it uses a 20 mm belt.has about 25 mm of belt surface area.has a lip on engine side.is 60 mm dia.identical to look at in photo.bearing od is 40 mm.

from bearing to engine surface is 10mm [10+12=22mm] from pulley lip to engine 5 mm[this may be a problem].total hieght siting on table is 33mm.

another option is a nissan CA timing belt tensioner.its the same idea but the slotted hole may not be in the right area or the belt might not line up.
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