Busted Timing Chain!

[240speed]

Yesterday I heard a rattling in my engin that I never heard before. So I took it to the local automotive shop to figure out the problem. They said it was the timing chain. I called Nissan and asked them how much it would cost to change it.... they said it was going to be over $1000!!! What the heck, this sucks.....sombody give me some sympathy.

[silkkysmoo]

don't go to dealership to get things fixed or replaced. just find a good shop. its around 400-600ish to replace one.

[sykikchimp]

or you could do it yourself.. Courtesy Nissan sells the whole kit for under $300 (can't remember the price..)

[240speed]

I guess my car is grounded untill I can afford to fix the problem. The dealership also told me it could be the crank shaft that is rattling. Dang I sure hope thats not it. I'd might as well get an sr20.

Would I have to change everything if just the chain is out. Because the lower and upper chains are only around $40.

[old_s13]

there is only ONE chain.. and its not hard to change, just requires automotive knowledge. I did it years ago, back then all i knew how to do was change a starter. it pushed me onto a new level and i learned a lot. just be sure to have friends that can help should you fuck up. OR, just take a lot of pictures with a digital camera, put bolts and parts in baggies and label shit -- you'll be okay. having some tools and a torque wrench isnt a bad idea either.

of course, you can just pay a shop to do it. the reason the dealer charges so much is because:
a) its the dealer, they use OEM parts and have the massive skills/tools to do a reputable job (which they almost always do)
b) its the dealer
c) they change a lot of parts as preventive good maintanance, while they are there.

if you feel like cutting corners, you can. all depends where you take it to and who you trust working on your baby. less money = less work getting done, less parts being changed, aftermarket parts, etc...

so.. just do what you think is right.

[240speed]

I talked to my grandfather in Louisiana. He has changed a few timing chains on american cars and said that it was no problem. It seems from what he was explaining that it wouldn't be that hard.

To accually diagnose the problem though...like I said, It could be just the chain or other parts that go along with it like the tensioner. In that case do seals need to be replaced? And oh yeah whats the difference between the upper chain and the lower chain since you said there is only one chain?

I was looking around on the internet and found this install... http://www.240sx.org/links/installs/timing_chain/index.html
After reading it, it seems to be more difficult than expected.

[TheSparo]

dont be scared by how long the process is, its just tedious work, there's nothing really hard to do when working on the car, it just depends on how much time it takes and how detailed you have to be, this is one of those where you need to be pretty detailed
-Jeff

[Chernobyl]

If the chain were infact broken, your car wouldn't run. And it sounds like it runs fine. You probably just need a new tensioner.

Or better yet, have you taken the guides off yet? It's a 30 minute, $0 repair if that's what it is.

[dvdevo]

haha when my timing chain had a prob they quoted me 1g too. Then I went to another shop and that guy seemed to know what to do and he charged me 340 for labor, or something around there. I bought the timing chain kit for about 2 bills or 150 somewhere. I guess if everyone is saying its easy, then you shouldnt goto a shop that has to look up how long it'll take to change the chain since they're not familiar with the car? yeah do it yourself though, should be fun hehe.

[240Driver39]

there is only ONE chain.. and its not hard to change

there is one chain on the sohc, 2 chains on the dohc motor, and upper and lower chain. In his sig it says 95 240...so..yeah

Also...id get a second opinion on that chain being broken deal...chain breaks, ur motor is done basically. But if its just say the timing chain guide breaking and setting on the chain, or droppin down the front case, that could be different.

[240speed]

Yeah I didn't think about the guide rubbing on the chain making the rattling sound. I sure hope thats it.
But yeah my engine runs fine except for that rattle. And I have to put my ear almost on the valve cover to hear the rattle clearly.

[SilviaSR20DET]

I have a engine rattle too, it only happens at around 3k to 3500 rpm and its been there for along time now. I dunno it rattle through my shifter when i hit those rpms so im not sure whethere its the timing chain or something else in my engine.

[240Driver39]

Yeah I didn't think about the guide rubbing on the chain making the rattling sound. I sure hope thats it.
But yeah my engine runs fine except for that rattle. And I have to put my ear almost on the valve cover to hear the rattle clearly.


wow, just pop ur valve cover off and take a look then...taking off the guide isnt really fixing hte root problem...but u'll be fine. There is also a side guide for the upper chain that can be removed, but that involves removing the upper front timing chain cover...not much more work but a bit more involved. I really think you need to find a trusted mechanic for future dealings...

[240speed]

well in that case are the chain guides sitting right on top? Could they be resting on the chain making the rattle sound?

[phrozen]

is it just rattling? or is it broken? if its just rattling and u dont have the know how or means to get it fixed u can just keep driving it should break or bust any time soon if u just started noticing it. I have like 210k on my ka and i hear it but it runs fine, i just havent gotten a chance to take out the worn out tensioner

[DuffMan]

I talked to my grandfather in Louisiana. He has changed a few timing chains on american cars and said that it was no problem. It seems from what he was explaining that it wouldn't be that hard.

Not really the same thing. Old pushrod american cars have a simple chain system that drives the one camshaft that is located right above the crank. Overhead cam is different.

But you might not need a whole chain replacement. Try removing the faulty timing guides per the faq.

[240speed]

But you might not need a whole chain replacement. Try removing the faulty timing guides per the faq.

Are they located on the top by just removing the valve cover?

[Chernobyl]

yes, just remove the valve cover and you should see the guide right above the chain in front. it'll be held on by 2 bolts. Just remove it and throw it away.

[240speed]

Oh yeah one more thing, if I remove the valve cover will I have to replace the head gasket.

[Chernobyl]

You arent removing the head, so NO.

Valve cover gasket is reuseable too.

This is a ZERO dollar operation.

Just go DOOOOO IIIIIIITTTT

[240speed]

Alright I will...ah but its going to have to be in Aug. I'm leaving for the summer to do some army training a Fort Bragg. I'm leaving tomorrow and I'll be back aug 15 or so...

[BlackS14]

Yeah...a few years ago (when I didn't know what I knew now), I my bill came just shy of $1,000 when the local Nissan delaership here did my timing chain. Replaced both chains, tensioners, and my idler gear...took them 8 hours to do (so they say).....needless to say it hurt....

The chain isn't really a "wear item" so don't worry too much about it breaking on ya.....try removing the upper guide like others have said and go from there....simple and will cost next to nothing to perform.

-Bill