A girl at work is selling hers. '93, 5 speed, 111,000 miles. I have done some small things on it (replaced power antenna, restored corroded battery terminals) so I am familiar with the car and the good maintenance record she has kept. She has never had any mechanical problems with it (i.e. exhaust mainfold studs or valve timing control). My questions are:

1) With so many trouble-free miles, is it safe to assume that any broken exhaust studs or VTC issues would have happened by now?

2) Is VTC failure caused by lack of oil pressure due to clogged galleys, or is it mechanical (broken sprockets)?

3) I'm a weekend mechanic with a fair amount of skill. Is fixing a failed VTC within the realm of a weekend and average tools?

4) Are there any other common issues with this particular SE that I should be aware of?

Any answers are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Edited by se_rious97 on 09-24-2000 at 10:13 PM]

 

1) With so many trouble-free miles, is it safe to assume that any broken exhaust studs or VTC issues would have happened by now?

I own a 92 Max SE auto, I started noticing a chattering which is associated with VTC sprockets at about 140K(best guess). I am currently replacing a burned valve and posibly repairing/replacing the VTC sprocket(s). A friend of mine who was a nissan mech for 20 yrs tells me that bunred valves are also common to the VE30DE(92-94 SE).

2) Is VTC failure caused by lack of oil pressure due to clogged galleys, or is it mechanical (broken sprockets)?

I don't know what the cause of the failure IS, but I know that it is not mechanical(broken).

3) I'm a weekend mechanic with a fair amount of skill. Is fixing a failed VTC within the realm of a weekend and average tools?

Removing them is not a problem, they are on the end of the intake camshaft. The VTC sprocket is a cam sprocket that shifts to either advance of retart the intake valves opening. I have not disassembled mine and may not at all. I am waiting for someone who has experience or my Nissan guru to explaing the best route.

4) Are there any other common issues with this particular SE that I should be aware of?

I understand that the Bose speakers are notorious for failing and I did loose one of my rears. I replaced the entire system.

Also I lost two of my power windows, thankfully the rear ones. This too, I understand is a common problem.

Any answers are greatly appreciated. Thanks! [/I][/QUOTE]

 

I took my engine out to do a clutch/VTCs/injector cleaning and exhaust studs.

I would say better than average mechanic could do the VTCs. Depends on which one is clacking. If it's the front one, it's alot easier because everything is easier to get to and the intake manifold does not have to come off. All I can say is this:

1) You need some big wrenches to hold the cam still while you reef on the big bolt holding the intake sprocket/VTC assembly on the end of the cam. There's not alot of room back there on the rear side.

2) Please, please mark everything. I mean everything. Don't rely on the chain marks. Also when you take the VTC assembly off, the intake cam WILL MOVE. So mark the cam/VTC assembly(though I think they are indexed to only fit one way), the cam/vtc to CHAIN relationship. Very important. 'white out" marked everything really well. Mark the exhaust side also.

3) I have one rebuilt and one new assembly. Rebuilding them are a crapshoot IMHO, but it's alot cheaper. You will need a 2000lb press to dis/re-assemble the things also if you elect to rebuild.

4) Take the T-chain tensioner off and check it for wear. Clean that oil galley and clean the feed galley that is under the #1 cam tower cap. also clean the galley that feeds oil from the VTC soleniod.

5)If you have to work on the rear bank, you might want to consider replacing the rear exhaust manifold studs now. It's about 1000x easier to do when they are NOT broken. Trust me. Some for the front side.

6) Don't over tighten the front cover bolts. I broke one. Torque is only about 10-15lbs I believe. That's super light.

7) Might as well change the accessory belts too while your at it. Inspect water pump for leaks and take a look at the belt tensioners and the ps pump for leaks.

8) I bought a tube of Nissan gasket sealer. You could use other stuff but just wanted to make sure to do everything by the book.