If you guys recall, I made a thread a while back about this noise coming from the timing chain cover. I went crazy trying to find it.. Went to 7 diff tech's non of which can pin point the problem. In the mess of trying to find it Ive replaced.

-Alternator
-Belts
-Pully tensioner
-Put on a mevi (sounded like a vac leak)
-Replaced rear valve cover gasket.

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So Today in engines class I decided to do some test's on my car. 1st test was to check the antifreeze. Very clean, and its freezing point is -55 F, The pressure tested the system 15psi no problems. Vac tested my car. Was in the green smacked at 20. My motor is running absolutely in top condition. So I had an old timer check out my noise, 1st thing he said was DEF in the timing chain cover, Then said to me when Did I replace my water pump I told him around 75k (106K is what I have now) Also Told him I think the chain guide was changed. He told me they should like the timing chain tensioner's. He told me if the noise has gotten louder, and yes it has from a silent noise that I heard one time to this turbo noise I get now.

-Symptoms
At idle I can rev it up a bit and it will sound like a turbo building boost.
It can be at idle or in gear
engine fully warmed up or not
All accessories on or off
Turbo like noise coming from the timing chain cover.

Question is how serious is this? Ive dropped over 1k last month to do more repairs to my car and I simply don't have anymore money. This noise has always been a concern for me to take care of. If its the tensioner's now im pretty much screwed because I dont know to what extention of money is needed to do this job.

 

Sorry to post *****...

But how loud should the engine bay be, I hear a bit of rattle from timing chain area but I'm not if thats just 'cos its a Chain and not cambelt thats making the extra noise... In short when listening under the hoood should I be here a nice purr of the engine and bugger all other belt/chain noise or the purr of the engine plus a reasonable amount of noise from auxliary belts etc

 

It may be cheaper to get a low milage engine, say 25K-30K miles, and have that installed, or do it yourself.

Figure its gonna be at least 1K for the tentioner. and an engine is $400-500 and install of being $700-$800. Figure you gain alot on the condition of the engine, unless you have taken goood care of yours.

Its up to you

-matt

 

Timing chain tensioner is about $65 from Nissan and 1/2 hr tops of a DIY labor job.

 

Are you serious?....I disagree with this....I think maximabebe is closer

1k for a tentioner?...

 

Hmm maybe this is whats making all the noise on my engine. But mine is more of a "she she she she she she" and doesnt seem to be RMP related.
Any guess?

 

Thanks for the reply's guys. My motor is in great condition, I had it tested yesterday. Today im going ahead and doing a compression test. I highly doubt its $1000 dollars for a tensioner. I have one in my room, don't know which one it is but its a long piece that curves. They are pretty cheap stuff they slide right out. I believe my brother picked up a water pump and a tensioner for $230. This was done a while back. The job seem's fairly easy. Im in engines class right now, Ive done timing chain tensioners replacements on those little 4 cylinder motors that gave us. Our motor's are a bit different, its not in the air on a stand like the motors in our school its a tight fit but im sure i will make it. Im not sure if this whole timing chain cover comes off? is it 2 pieces? How important is it for me to get this done, I asked the teacher he says its just going to get louder. Im not sure if its going to damage the chain.

 

The parts are cheap, I had this done as my tensioner had backed off enough that I was getting the '95 common "chain chatter" which was getiing progressively worse, had the chain replaced too as there's a chance it had gotten stretched by the worn out tensioner, the downside is it's about 10 hrs labour (ouch) in the books it can be DIY if you have time , tools and patience. The timing chain cover is siliconed so it's a b**ch to get off clean and install cleanly without getting the crap on the inside. There's also very little room to work it's basically a PITA spent about an hour looking at how I was going to attack it ( I've done my own brakes, Strut and spring install, etc) closed the hood and took it my mechanic. Good thing it's a chain and not a belt that needs to be changed every 60K. Good luck hope this helps.