Sometimes when I start my 95 Maxima, I will get what sounds like a valve train rattle for at most two seconds. After the two seconds the noise goes away and once the engine is warmed up and after sitting for several hours it still does not do it. The car has about 130K miles on it and runs good. I was wondering if this may be a chain tensioner problem?
Suggestions and comments appreciated.
Randy

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=400325

I wish we didn't have to deal with this annoying problem on our cars, o well, with such a great car, there is always some kind of flaw... good luck! I'll be doing my tensioner this spring!

 

Thanks for the quick reply and it sounds like you are right on target. I may go take a look at the engine that came out of my wife's 96 and see what it all looks like.
Randy

 

No problem, I have a 95 too and currently dealing with the same problem. It rattles like hell for a few seconds, then slowly goes away after the car is warmed up, but wont rattle again until the car is started after sitting a while. I bought the new style tensioner and guide (Nissan updated the tensioner and guide in the late 96 and up models. The old style and new style are slightly different, and you cannot buy a 'new' old style tensioner...), and was planning on removing the timing case and replacing both parts. That will depend on how ambitious and determined I am, being the job will be a major PITA! I might just rebuild my old tensioner with the new one, slap it back in, and call it a day. I know there are other threads that discuss the tensioner and cold start rattle, along with comparisons of the new and old style tensioners, and photos explaining why the old style guide (95/96) wont work with the new style tensioner. I also noted that I might try rebuilding my old tensioner, and there are threads explaining how others rebuilt the tensioner for a quick fix, even though the rattle will come back eventually. I am so dreading this project...haha, well I guess it may not be that bad? I guess I am just lazy! Good Luck!

 

I'm pulling my TC cover to replace the H2O pump on my 95, what do I need to replace to correct the tensioner/rattle issue? This thread and included link kind of talk in circles and don't actually tell me what I need to do(could be my simple mind and frustration with having to do the pump in the first place...but while I'm there.).
Could someone spell it out so I can kill two birds with one stone.

Thanks,
James