Timing chain and cam seal install need help

[Mr. Spool]

I just found out that my new car need to have the timing chain and front cam seal replaced. My question is has any one done this themselves and is it overly complicated. thanks for the help.

[Mr. Spool]

Sorry forgot to add it is a 95 base model 240.

[240racer]

why does it need a new timing chain? I am rebuilding my engine with the same one, they are pretty long lasting especially compared to timing belts. As far as replacing your valve cover seal (I'm assuming that's what you mean by cam seal) it's pretty easy, take the valve cover off and replace the seal. If you mean the front cover seal, it's just RVT sealant. It's a little more difficult since you have to take off all the accessories and fan stuff. Where is the seal leaking?

[Mr. Spool]

I took it into nissan yesterday and they said that I needed to replace the timing chains and sliders along with the front cover seal. they said it was leaking from around the timing chains. so basicaly the timing chain is still good but I might need to change the sliders. If so how do I get at the timing chain and sliders.

[240racer]

If you have to replace the sliders, that's kind of a pain. You have to remove the front cover from the engine, which means everything in front of it must go. Get a chiltons manual or something they explain how to change the front cover. You also are going to have to remove the heads, which mean the cam shafts and stuff. You probably want to get a new head gasket while you are in there.

[Mr. Spool]

So basicaly your saying that the whole top half of the engine needs to be removed to get at the timing chain. or are you saying that while you have the front cover off it is fairly easy to get at the head gasket. thanks

[240racer]

I'm sorry, you don't need to take off the camshafts. I was thinking you did. No you do not need to remove the head. Just the front cover. For some reason I was thinking that you can't just pull the gears off the front of the motor without taking the head off. So just take the front cover off, change out the chain and sliders and put it back on with some liquid gasket material. It's not too bad, you just have to take off all the acceseries.

[Mr. Spool]

that doesn't sound to bad. I had to do all this in my 300 when I changed the timing belt. It seems more time consuming than complicated. by the way have you ever done this before and is the engine tempermental. as in if I mess up a little could it possibly kill my engine. thanks