My Maxima is making a HORRIBLE rattle when its started after its been sitting (I'm trying to sell it and I don't drive it very often, so when I go out to start it, it rattles HORRIBLY). It goes away for the most part once the car has warmed up and the oil has moved around (recent oil change by the way). I've narrowed it to the timing chain tensioner/guide... local Master Tech at the Nissan Dealership stated its plastic and the tabs break off easy and then it rattles... its like a $100+ part, and ridiculously expensive to have the dealership install (was going to do it myself). I was just wondering if anyone else has ever had this happen. One local mechanic said he has NEVER heard of such a thing failing on a Maxima... nor has he ever heard a Maxima rattle when started in the morning (been meaning to take it to him to have him listen to it). Just was curious... would have searched, but its disabled... so... Its the only real issue with my Maxima, and would like to sell it at optimum price (have a loan to pay off on it).

Thanks!

Did a little research through the posts (man searching without search is crazy...)

Anyway, most said to just replace the tensioner, and that the guide is too difficult to get too because it cannot be removed through the access hole... Should I just attempt this and see what happens? It also needs spark plugs I know that... just checking.

Thanks!

I've had this done on my car - you are right - it is just the tensioner that needs to be replaced. The 95s and 96s had the old tensioner - which was prone to causing this startup rattle. A lot of the org'ers have been running like this for a long time without any problems... I had mine replaced at about 60k (at a dealer) - but the dealer worked iwth Nissan to cover most of the work. You can try it yourself, but its a one of the trickier things to do (and do right) - so you might want to call around and find a shop that can do it for you... should be 200-300 bucks.

Well I've got a '97, so I don't think its "as" prone to the problem, and having 125k miles on the car, I doubt Nissan is going to cover anything. I'm inclined enough to do it myself, I'm just not as familiar with the VQ as I am with the VG (I work on '90-'96 300ZXs as a hobby). So the work doesn't scare me, I just don't want to attempt to fix one thing, and have it not be the real problem. Thanks for the reply though! =) Your response is appreciated.

Just did mine on my '95.....HAPPY results. Take off access cover, remove 2 tensioner bolts, swap with new one, tighten same two bolts, replace cover with a high temp gasket maker and you're done! Tricky part is to only install the top bolt first when putting in the new tensioner until you can line up the piston with the corresponding area of the chain guide and keep that pin in there until the last second. Also, stuff a rag into the lower area of the timing cover as not to lose any bolts down in there. You will thank me .

Here's a couple of links to get you started!!

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....ming+tensioner
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....ming+tensioner
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....ming+tensioner

Thanks PLUMMAXSE!

this is a rare problem for a 97 model (according to your info next to your posting)....the problem was prominent in 95 and early 96 models.

The tensioner itself was not interchangeable from the 97 and newer into older 95/96 cars as the rear guide was very different. If you have a 97 the replacement part should be the same.

I have done two complete timing chain/guide/tensioner replacement jobs and can say its not fun....my first took me 12+ hours...the second I had down to 9+....my dealer had quoted me $1100

Stick with good oil filters...wix, bosch, stp, OEM Nissan....there is a post with all the numbers I am sure. Fram and the other brands that are made by fram (penzoil, quacker state to name a couple) are all crap and contribute to the problem. I found oil types, weights to have little or no impact.

I have heard of people replacing the plunger in the tensioner with a plunger from a new one...this would be you only option in a 95/96 other than full replacement.

So should I just order the tensioner for my 97 and see how it goes? I've been changing the oil every 3-5k miles... using Mobil1 Synthetic w/ Nissan OEM filters or Mobil1 filters... always high dollar stuff... But its still rattling... =(

I would order the tensioner if your chain is rattling when the engine is hot. Otherwise I wouldn't worry about it.

It rattles like I have chainsaw when I start it cold... I mean its obnoxious... attempting to sell it like this, any possible buyer would run as soon as they heard it. =( I need to get rid of the noise.

could be worse in my 73 toyota celica the tensioner would break every 5 months or so .off came the head fer new valves ect. man i could get the head off in less then an hour i did it so many times lol all tourques memerized too i dont miss that at all.