Valve timing issue

I am after some advice on fitting a new timing chain to my Micra K12. Given the amount of work involved in changing the chain, I’d like to bolt the car back together with it correct. I have fitted a complete kit, including a VVT pulley. However, I am unsure if I've correctly set the timing with regards to the VVT. My planned procedure was to set the crank at Top Dead Centre, with both cams timed up, the new inlet gear fully advanced (as supplied) and the timing chain links matched to marks.

I turned the engine over several times by hand and rechecked the timing, but the inlet timing had now moved slightly. I then reapplied air to the VVT inlet gallery and moved the inlet adjuster to fully retarded (it has actually gone slightly past the mark). The inlet cam was now in the correct position. I then tried moving the inlet cam to the fully advanced position again, but it will not move (using compressed air again).

I have read both the Nissan guide and your magazine guide, but still don’t really understand the VVT timing and position. The Nissan guide says the inlet pulley should only be unbolted in the advanced position. I still have the original VVT pulley and wonder if my existing timing is OK or whether I should replace the VVT gear on the car with it or use another new one?

I have subsequently read about people fitting the new chain with a new VVT gear in the advanced position then reassembling the car. I presume this would work with the original VVT gear. Alex Pulford The fitting of a timing chain to a Micra K12 was covered in the October 2014 issue of CM. As you say, the new pulley comes locked in the correct position and does not need compressed air to set it into the advanced position. Compressed air should only be used before removing a pulley that is to be refitted – this is then used to lock the pulley into the fully advanced position. As you have correctly fitted the new chain, lining up the gold marks to the sprockets, all should be correct.

When the engine starts up, the oil pressure should release the VVT sprocket and put it into operation. By using the compressed air on it, you have moved it and it is difficult to say without examining it what position it is now in. However, as the pulley will only fit in one position on the camshaft and the links were correctly aligned, the timing should be correct.