Symptoms
No warning before it breaks. Unlike the gear-driven TD42 and TB42, the RD28T's camshaft is belt-driven, so a truck with no receipts should be treated as due. Owners on ExplorOz report doing it at about 100,000 km; confirm the interval in the manual.
The fix, step by step
- Use a kit that includes the tensioner and idler, because one owner found both noisy and loose once the old belt was off.
- Remove the fan, belts and harmonic balancer; soaking the crank bolt overnight helped one first-timer.
- Line up the timing marks, then fit the belt, tensioner, idler, and the crank and cam seals while you're in there.
- Forum members suggest replacing the balancer bolt in case it's torque-to-yield, and checking the Woodruff key.
- Wikipedia's RD-engine article warns that diesel vibration can loosen the crank/balancer bolt and recommends thread-locker on reassembly.
Tools & part numbers
- Harmonic balancer puller
- crank-holding tool
- breaker bar
- torque wrench
- seal puller.
Where to buy the parts
Timing belt kit, RD28 (Y60 GQ / Y61 GU)Patrolapart ↗Amazon ↗
Genuine Nissan harmonic balancer Woodruff keyPatrolapart ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Nissan Patrol Y60 (GQ) parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.