SR20DET Definitive Timing Chain Rattle Fix Thread.... No KA's!...No Noobs
 

I know, I know, we have all herd it a million times, but this time we are looking for a clear definitive answer for the timing chain rattle on an SR20DET. Damm Nissans and their noisy timing chain guides. Anyway, here is my question for Zilvia.

Through a good amount of searching i have come up with a few answers for the timing chain rattle on an SR, many of which involve replacing the tensioner and sometimes even the complete chain. Which can be a very time consuming and costly job. even more disappointing is the fact that many SR owners who have replaced timing chain/tensioner report that it did not completely fix their rattling problem.

Most of us with KA24 experience know that fixing the same rattle on that motor is as simple as removing the top and side timing chain guides, but will the same process work on an SR? Is it safe? In my search for this question i came up with a lot of useless answers and mixed results.

In this thread we are not looking for your opinions, we are looking for first hand experience with this problem, what has been done to fix it, and most importantly, has it worked.

the nissan tech bulletin for a sr says to remov the top guide... when a tech removs the valve cover its recommended to remove it (its 2 measly bolts).

mine was gently tinging - then i remove that guide - and it made slightly less noise - i replaced the tensioner (2nd time) and it went away.

I'm looking at shopkey right now and it only says to remove the upper guide on the KA's.

Here's what I found for the SR's

After a night soak down, upon startup chain rattle is heard.

Fix: replace with OEM redesigned tensioner Part number: 13070-53J02

CourtesyParts :: TENS ASS-C

That's all I can find for SR shat.


In all honesty I removed mine last year just because I remembered reading to pull them off. After I took the cover off this winter there are some hits from the chain on my valve cover.

ive never heard of the SR having this problem.

i still have have my Upper guide on, but i also installed the revised chain guides.
*the stock one is full plasic, the revised one is reinfoced

Here is a good thread for anyone looking for answers (keep in mind that there are KA's in here too)...

#/f/s-chassis/240842...s-cracked.html

Video of the noise:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra6q9qCMUbI

Upper guide removed - slight scratches visible
chain also got some slight scratches

New chain tensioner ordered.
update status after i replaced it.

Old Tensioner VS New Tensioner
(new one got some finer teeth and looking generally "stronger" or thicker, seems to be taller but its just the bump thing on the outside)

http://dsmphotos.smugmug.com/photos/...91_pT9W4-M.jpg


By the way. The chain tensioner needs oil pressure to work fine.
So better check your oil pressure first.

PROBLEM SOLVED: new tensioner installed + upper mount deinstalled
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wlh010XCos8

1. Use a high quality tensioner.
2. I like to keep the upper chain guide on
3. often the startup "tinkling" noise you hear on sr20 engines is actually the water pump

The B15 Tensioner is the way to fly for sure. Easy to find, and a 'must' for anyone rebuilding their engine.

PROBLEM SOLVED! look edited post ^up^