Nissan Repair: crankshaft spins timing belt doesnt, camshaft position sensor, nissan xterra

Question
i have a 2001 nissan xterra with 3.3 v6 4x4 i had a problem with it not starting i ran the codes and it read for a knock sensor and a camshaft position sensor i did research and it seemed that it was the distributor in trying to replace that we found the the crankshaft was spinning but the timing belt was not. what could be the problem.

Answer
Hi TJ -

Your timing belt is broken and must be replaced.

However, the 3.3 is what we call an interference engine, meaning that the valves were probably damaged when the belt went out.

So, you would need a valve job (at least to replace the defective ones) and the timing belt replaced.

Hope this helps -
aloha
calvin