nissan_maxima_1997

Hi,

I have a 97 maxima having 200K miles on it. The timing chain does make a rattling sound, which is heard when standing near the car. But from the inside while driving, it is not a lot.

My doubts:
Is the rattling an issue to worry about? and
Probably the timing chain has never been changed before on the car, so does it require a change or the timing chains are supposed to be robust and do not need a replacement.

Thank you.

Turbobink

iTrader: (2)

From experience, let me say that you should ensure that the noise you describe is actually your TC and not your belt tensioner mechanism.

I ... truthfully ... was poised to tear my motor apart due to noise I was 98% certain was my TC.

It wasn't.

It was a failing tensioner pulley bearing.

maximaxi

Timing chains don't normally need replacement

JoshG

i'd follow turbolink's advice, since he went through it and its probably your tensioner pulley.

dwapenyi

iTrader: (3)

The timing chain IS robust and never needs replacement. It's the timing chain guides and the timing chain tensioners that fail.

If you've seen a timing chain failure on a car you will see that the timing chain was ok. It just fell off of its sprockets, or jumped a tooth or 2 or 3.

97_GXE

As someone who had to replaced 2 timing belts on a 4 cylinder within 2 years...I was happy to know a timing chain doesn't need 60,000 mile replacements. That said...there's certainly nothing in the manual about replacing it either.

max ride 41

iTrader: (4)

275,000 on mine and i have no plans on replacing either the tensioners or the guides or the main chain even though it's possible it stretched a little. i bought my max with that noise 11 years ago with a light rattle and still gets quiet after she warms up. if it ever stays noisey after warm up, then you have a problem. even the dealer told me not to worry.

nissan_maxima_1997

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and suggestions. I will look into the tensioner pulley bearing.

destructo

[QUOTE=nissan_maxima_1997;9106627]Hi,

I have a 97 maxima having 200K miles on it. The timing chain does make a rattling sound.

My 96 is at 326,000 and the chain still rattles a bit. Every mechanic who worked on one of these days that's pretty normal. My tensioner did give me problems once. I had to mix two (one auto zone and one online) because I had no tensioner there but it didn't come with the kit at Auto zone. The pulley part from online already had messed up bearings. Also my ac pulley gave me a horrid noise but I just bypassed with smaller belt

asand1

iTrader: (1)

Timing chain life expectancy

For-ev-er

max ride 41

iTrader: (4)

^^^ tru dat