jjr2

I thought I remembered that when I bought my 1998 Quest GXE that it was
listed on the window sticker as having a DOHC, 4-valve-per-cylinder,
3.0L V-6. It definitely has two cam shafts visible throught the oil
filler. Mitchell refers to a DOHC version of the van in that year, but
evidently no one else knows about it. It looks like the common SOHC
engine has a timing belt, but the DOHC has a chain. The van now has
110k miles on it. What is the recommended life of the timing chain on
these vehicles, and what is a good source for them (local auto parts
stores only list parts for the SOHC)?
Thanks for any assistance.

ed white

Are you sure you have two camshafts per bank (four total)? I can't find
any references to Nissan offering the DOHC engine in a Quest before
2004. The only engine I see listed for 1998 is the 24 valve 3.0L SOHC
engine. The Owners Gudie for a 1998 Quest (available from
http://www.courtesyparts.com/nissan-manual/pdf/1998-Nissan-Quest.pdf )
only addresses the SOHC engine (VG30E). The maintanence schedule calls
for timing belt replacement every 105,000 miles.

Ed

codifus

Wow, Must be the VQ30DE V6 motor you have in there. Nice. Check your
manual to see if there are any references to the VQ30DE motor. Same as
in all Maximas 1995-1999.

Timing chains do not need to be changed/serviced. They either keep
working forever if you keep up your regular oil changes, or sometime a
tensioner gets weak for some minor (but major because of location)
maintenance.

CD

codifus

Actually , thinking abiout it a bit more, it could be the DOHC from the
Inifiniti J30.

CD

jjr2

Yes, there are definitely four camshafts in there. There is actually an
entry for a DOHC for 1998 in Mitchell, but I don't see it anywhere else.

jjr2

The emission sticker on the hood says VG30E. I will have to find my
original manual.

jjr2

I think the Quests were built on beefed-up Maxima chassis, so it might
make sense for some of them to get the better Maxima engines.

ed white

That is the SOHC engine. Since this vintage Quest was assembled at a
Ford plant it seems very unlikely to me that they could have
accidentally installed the DOHC engine by mistake. And you implied you
have owned it since new. So I am at a loss to understand what is going
on. Nothing I can find addmits that there was more than one engine type
in that vintage Quest.

Ed

codifus

It looks like it's the DOHC V6 from the J30 and the non-turbo 300ZX,
the VG30DE.
Fresh Alloy is goos source for Nissan enthusiasts;

http://www.freshalloy.com/site/features/tech/engines/home.shtml