I got a little timing chain issue going on....

[SnakeKack]

(1993 hatch) I got my timing chain replaced a little less than 5000 miles ago. All was well, until last night. I went to my friends house to help him with his truck and when I started my car to leave I noticed the infamous rattle noise. It wasn't as bad as before I got the chains replaced but it was there and very noticable. But here is the thing.....it will make the noise usually after it starts to warm up, and when it warms up thats when you really notice it. But now if I drive it for like a mile or two, stop open the hood and listen... you don't hear it.

I took it to the shop where I had it worked on today and the owner/head mechanic who worked on my car wasn't there so I talked to one of his guys about it. He said to use thinner oil, then he said or maybe thicker oil.....I got kinda pissed, so I decided I'll come back when the owner is there.

So I then went to CarQuest to ask those guys what they think, I told them everything it does and one of the guys said, it is out of adjustment or something and I should just take it back to the shop and make sure they fix it. he also said that he thinks the reason why it disapears after I drive it is because putting a heavier load on the engine will tighten things up......kinda makes sense..

Now normaly I wouldn't make a big deal about it but I plan on selling the car soon and I don't want to start the car up for someone and they have to hear that noise.

So I was wondering if anyone knew why it could be acting up and if it is something i can take care of myself?

[aznpoopy]

make sure your oil isn't low.

[ericb382]

Try removing the upper timing chain guide.

[NIK90s13]

yea, upper thiming chain guide.

[aznpoopy]

that would be really dumb if they did a full chain job and actually reinstalled the chain guides.

[NemeGuero]

Yah, oil. And if it isn't low, think about replacing the pump.
(assuming you really didn't reinstall the guides)

http://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread?id=105618

also this link has good pictures
http://garage.projectraine.com/

[SnakeKack]

Thanks guys, nice links. My oil level is fine so I am gonna start by having the oil pressure tested and see how my oil pump is. And thanks because that reminded me that I been wanting to get an oil pressure guage since the car only has the light.

And yes they did intsall new timing chain guides that came with the kit that they ordered. i am going to see if I can find out what kit that is, and I am tempted to open the valve cover and see if they put the old guides back in.(I'll be pissed)

But I got another question, I know some kits come without the new guides and explain to remove the old ones, but if any new kits that come with them is it ok to take the guides out? Like is that kit required to have them in for it to be safe?

Again, thanks guys.

[aznpoopy]

well, they don't really do anything per se.

one good thing about having them is that the rattling noise lets you know your chain is going slack.

[OdessaS13]

well dont open the cover yourself. if you had it done at a shop make them do all the work and get your moneys worth. some kits, like mine, came with a note saying that the new design of the tc does not require the upper guide that goes between the camshafts in the fornt does not need to be reinstalled. if its not the upper guide then its the pump unless your upper side guide is stuck for some reason and is not putting pressure on the chain causing it to slack. what oil are you using and how many miles are on your car?

[SnakeKack]

I got 10w-40 in there and its got 136,055 on it.