Timing chain rattle

[silviaz]

What type of oil should I run into my KA24DE with about 60k miles ?
My timing chain rattle a lot when it's cold. I'm running with 10w30... should I try 5w30 or my timing chain won't like the move.

[SHIFT_control]

oil thickness won't help the timing chain rattle.... I've ran mine with everything from 5w-30 to 20w-50 and it rattles the same no matter what

[raen419]

remove the upper right guide.
the rattling will stop.
i did it a long time ago, no problems yet.
and iirc, the s14 KA's didn't have that guide to begin with.

[MELLO*SOS]

remove the upper right guide.
the rattling will stop.
i did it a long time ago, no problems yet.
and iirc, the s14 KA's didn't have that guide to begin with.

Removing the top guide is worth a try and if you're lucky like raen was it'll stop the rattling. On some cars even this doesn't stop the rattling and you'll need to eventually break down and replace the chain/guides/tensioners. Changing my oil has always removed the rattling for a month or two on "cold" startup and while sitting at stop lights. As the oil gets dirty the rattling slowly comes back until I change it again... I usually just use 10-30. GL with that

[Ritz S14]

I removed my upper guide. Nothing. Then I replaced the tensioner guide, with one from my S13 DOHC, it helped just a little.

[dct223]

remove the upper right guide.
the rattling will stop.
i did it a long time ago, no problems yet.
and iirc, the s14 KA's didn't have that guide to begin with.

s14's have a upper guide as well

[silviaz]

I don't have the upper guide. It's really annoying and i'm trying to find a way to minimize that sound. Mello88:

My car has the same syptom. When I start the car, I hear it, when the engine is hot, the sound is minimized but if i'm at the idle, 1000rpm I hear is until 1500rpm.

My friend suggest me to stay with 10w30 because my engine is not made to run 5w30.

[silviaz]

How can I last long with that problem. Some people tell me to change my oil regulary and my timing chain will be o.k.

I think i'll have to command a new tensionner. My timing chain kit has only 90 000km but it's not oem...

[seksi240]

There's another guide on the distributor side that needs to be removed.

[SHIFT_control]

you won't have any problems untill it is constant and very loud..... mine has been doing that for ~30,000 miles and no problems what so ever. When it gets obnoxusly loud it starts to eat away at the top of the front cover. Not a pretty sight, usually send metal shavings throughout your engine, one of my customers had this happen on their U13 Altima. They ended up getting a new motor out of an extended warranty comapny.

[MELLO*SOS]

silviaz: Yup your best bet is to keep your oil clean. Mine started rattling soon after I bought it over a year ago and has been making racket for at least 15000 miles. Like SHIFT_control sez you probably won't have any major issues unless you're hearing the noise constantly.

My car's jacked up in the garage as we speak getting all new timing chain kit installed, and what a dirty PITA job that is.. Especially when you've had a PS leak for a year too :). The plastic guides were starting to show some wear from the chain slappin them, they had little ruts dug into the plastic... GL

[aznpoopy]

sohc != dohc

sohc = plastic guides
dohc = metal guides

dohc rattle - easy fixes

#1 remove *both* timing chain guides

and #2:
Use a flat bladed screwdriver or other instrument of choice, to pop the tensioner out against the chain. Then, push it back into the tensioner housing until it bottoms. When you let go of the tensioner, it should pop back out and put full tension on the chain. If it doesn't pop it back out. Push in, pop out, push in, pop out, etc.... Do this until the tensioner is moving freely. I used a bit of penetrating oil (rusted bolt remover), to help disolve the gunk and get things moving freely. Check *both* tensioners. (yes there are two)

see the 240sx porn thread for a video of someone doing it.

sohc easy fixes... there are none.

[silviaz]

Thanks for your help. I knew zilvia was to best place.
Oh yes, changing the timing chain is a pain in the ass. If I remember correctly, it's a 4 hours job and the parts cost a leg and a arm.

Where is located the other guide ? I don't know if they are present on the new version of the timing chain kit.

I'll take a look at that video for sure! :o

I'm happy to see this "problem" is generalized and it's not only my car.

[silviaz]

I would like to thank aspecproducts for his help.

Here what I was looking for:

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

[raen419]

i removed top guide and upper right guide. the right guide was what the chain was rattling against.
keep in mind, the chain rattles b/c it has stretched. i'm thinking about changing mine out after i get a new KA or SR20de. then sell the KA (if i get sr20de) or build it for some durable/reliable track time. right now it's fine, but it's an engine....it's going to piss you off at random.

the top guide serves no purpose unless you chain is VERY loose/stretched. and usually, it doesn't get that loose.