Drive belt in Nissan Terrano - a critical element on which the operation of the generator, power steering, air conditioning and pump depends. If it breaks or slips, it can lead to engine overheating, battery drain, or loss of control. However, many owners face a problem: official schemes for different generations Terrano (especially for R50 And R20) often contradict each other, and the manuals lack nuances for engines MR20DD And K9K.
In this article we will look at precise belt route diagrams for all modifications, including rare configurations with and without air conditioning. You will learn how check tension without special tools, what analogue belts fit better than the original ones (and why), as well as typical mistakes that cause a new belt to wear out within 10,000 km. The material is based on the experience of service technicians and owner reports from forums Drive2 And Nissan Club Russia.
Drive belt diagrams for Nissan Terrano R50 and R20
Drive belt design Terrano depends on three factors: engine type (MR20DD, K9K or QR25DE), availability of air conditioning And year of manufacture. For example, in models before 2015 with a motor K9K (1.5 dCi) a belt with 6 grooves was used, and after restyling - with 7. Below are the current diagrams for the most common versions.
For engine MR20DD (2.0 petrol) with air conditioning, the belt route looks like this:
- Crankshaft pulley → Tensioner roller
- Tensioner pulley → Alternator pulley
- Generator → Power steering pulley
- Power steering → Air conditioning compressor pulley
- Compressor → Idler roller (if equipped)
- Idler roller → Crankshaft pulley
- MR20DD (2.0 petrol)
- K9K (1.5 diesel)
- QR25DE (2.5 petrol)
- Other
For diesel K9K (1.5 dCi) without air conditioning the circuit is simplified:
- 🔄 Crankshaft pulley → Tensioner roller
- 🔋 Tensioner roller → Generator
- 🔄 Generator → Crankshaft pulley
Important: on Terrano R20 (restyling 2017+) in configurations with electric power steering The belt may be absent altogether - it is replaced by a separate drive for the generator. Check this by VIN code!
How to check the presence of a belt using VIN?
Open the service VIN decoder from Nissan. In the "Additional equipment" section, look for the codes:
C03 — air conditioning (there is a compressor),
G01 — power steering (there is a power steering belt),
KH0 — electric power steering (no power steering belt).
How to check belt tension without tools
The official manual instructs to use strain gauge (For example, KTC KT-100) to measure tension, but in garage conditions you can get by with improvised means. Main rule: belt deflection between the crankshaft and generator pulleys must be 10–12 mm when pressed with a force of 10 kg (for MR20DD) or 8–10 mm for K9K.
Verification algorithm:
☑️ Checking the belt tension
If the deflection is greater than normal, the belt slips (a whistle is heard when starting), if less - will pull (wear of roller bearings accelerates). On diesel Terrano overtightening is especially dangerous: it can lead to destruction of the pump bearing.
⚠️ Attention: On models withMR20DDinstalled after 2016 automatic tensioner (article11920-4M50A). It cannot be adjusted manually - if the belt wears out, the entire assembly must be replaced!
Belt selection: original vs analogues
Original belts from Nissan (articles 11920-4M500 for MR20DD And 11920-ED00A for K9K) cost from 3,500 to 5,000 rubles, but their service life rarely exceeds 60,000 km. Owners on forums recommend analogues with the best price/quality ratio:
| Brand | Article | Length (mm) | Number of streams | Average price (₽) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gates | 6PK1743 |
1743 | 6 | 2 200 | Suitable for K9K no air conditioning. Oil resistant. |
| Contitech | 6PK1800 |
1800 | 6 | 2 500 | For MR20DD with air conditioning. Softer than the original. |
| Dayco | 6PK1740 |
1740 | 6 | 1 900 | Budget option, but prone to stretching. |
| Mitsuboshi | 6PK1738 |
1738 | 6 | 3 000 | Japanese quality, resource up to 100,000 km. |
When choosing an analogue, pay attention to stream profile: for Terrano suitable only 6PK (6 streams, profile "K"). Belts with profile 6PK And 6RK not interchangeable — the latter have a rounded stream shape and slip on pulleys Nissan.
Before buying a belt, remove the old one and measure its length along the outer contour (not along the streams!). Even original belts may differ by 5-10 mm due to the batch.
Step-by-step instructions for replacing the belt
Replacing the drive belt with Nissan Terrano takes 1–1.5 hours if you have the tools. You will need:
- 🔧 14 mm wrench (for tension roller)
- 🔧 10 mm socket (to protect the engine)
- 🔧 Jack and stops (for access from below)
- 🔧 Crankshaft pulley puller (optional)
Sequence of actions:
- Disconnect the battery (remove the negative terminal).
- Raise the front of the car and remove the right wheel.
- Remove the plastic engine protection (4 x 10 mm bolts).
- Loosen the tension roller by turning it counterclockwise with a 14 mm wrench.
- Remove the old belt, remembering the route (or taking a photo!).
- Install the new belt, starting at the crankshaft pulley.
- Tension the belt by turning the pulley clockwise and secure the bolt.
⚠️ Attention: On diesel Terrano (K9K) when replacing the belt, be sure to check the condition crankshaft damper (article11320-ED00A). Its destruction leads to vibrations and belt breakage!
After replacing the belt, start the engine and check that there is no whistling when cold and after warming up. If the whistle remains, the belt is loose or dirt has gotten on the pulleys.
Typical replacement mistakes and how to avoid them
Even experienced craftsmen make mistakes that reduce the service life of the belt by 2-3 times. Here are the most common:
- 🚫 Using sealant on roller bolts - this leads to thread failure during subsequent replacement. Use
Loctite 243(blue). - 🚫 Oil on the belt - even a drop of oil from under the valve cover destroys the rubber. Clean the pulleys before installation WD-40 and a dry cloth.
- 🚫 Wrong belt route - for example, the deflector roller is passed past the air conditioning compressor. Always check the diagram!
- 🚫 Ignoring roller wear — if the rollers “play” or make noise, they need to be changed along with the belt.
Another critical error - incorrect tension. On Terrano with MR20DD an overtightened belt can bend the alternator pulley (part number 23100-4M500, price ~8,000 ₽). To avoid this, check after tensioning cranking force longest section of the belt - it should be ~15–20 Nm.
When to change a belt: signs of wear
The manufacturer recommends replacing the drive belt every 90,000 km or once every 4 years, but in practice the service life depends on operating conditions. Here are the signs that your belt needs replacing: immediately:
- 🔊 Whistling when starting the engine or turning on the air conditioner.
- 🔍 Cracks on the inside of the belt (visible when viewed with a flashlight).
- 💨 Wear of streams — the belt “sags” between the pulleys.
- 🛑 Extraneous noise from rollers (hum, grinding).
On diesel Terrano (K9K) pay attention to rib condition on the back of the belt. If it wears off - the belt will pull or the pulleys are misaligned (for example, after an accident).
What happens if the belt breaks?
On petrol Terrano (MR20DD) a broken belt will lead to:
- Turning off the generator (battery discharges after 20–30 km),
- Stopping the pump (motor overheats in 5–10 minutes),
- Loss of power steering (heavy steering).
On diesel K9K the consequences are the same, but in addition the tension roller may break and damage the timing cover.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the Nissan Terrano drive belt
Is it possible to drive with a squealing belt?
Short term (1-2 days) - yes, but whistling indicates slippage, which leads to accelerated wear. If the whistle appears when the air conditioner or electrical loads (headlights, heating) are turned on, the belt requires replacement or tensioning. On diesel Terrano whistling may be a sign roller jamming — check its play!
Which belt to choose for Terrano with air conditioning?
For MR20DD suitable with air conditioning Contitech 6PK1800 or Gates 6PK1795. The main thing is that the length matches the original (11920-4M500). If your belt has 7 grooves (rare), look for the article number 7PK1750 from Dayco.
Do I need to change the rollers along with the belt?
Required if:
- The rollers make noise when rotating,
- There is play (checked by shaking your hand),
- The car's mileage exceeds 150,000 km.
On Terrano often fails deflection roller (article 11950-4M500) — its bearing “falls out” first.
What is the difference between belts for Terrano R50 and R20?
Main differences:
- R50 (until 2017): the belt is 10–15 mm shorter, there is no automatic tensioner.
- R20 (after 2017): the belt is longer (due to a changed route), there may be 7 streams instead of 6.
Always check the VIN or catalog data!
Can I install a belt from another Nissan?
Partially. For example, a belt from Nissan Qashqai (J10) with motor MR20DD suitable for Terrano R50, but the length may vary by 5 mm. For X-Trail T32 belts not compatible — it has a different route due to the location of the air conditioning compressor.