Timing chain rattle
 

So I turned my car on for the first time in 2 days and automatically I hear a rattle near my timing chain cover. It was loud as hell but after two to three minutes it completely went away. Driving the car all day I didn't hear anything. My question is how can a noise that loud could just go away? I'm debating on going to the mechanics tomorrow to have it checked out.

most likely the timing chain tensioner, easy fix. Takes about 30 mins to change it out, part costs about $65 from Nissan

just replace the timing chain tensioner

But that tensioner can make the noise come and go? So should I go the mechanics tomorrow?

last time i checked, you have to take the timing cover off to get to that. and its no 30 minute easy fix. im no mechanic, but from what im told you have to loosen the mount on that side, lift up the engine and take crank pulley, etc off to get into that side of the engine, unless im mistaken and thats for a water pump/ full chain replacement.

if its starting to go yes, it will make noise on start up but once oil pressure builds up it will go away. Dont go unless you think you can not change it yourself.

No, the tensioner has a black cover behind the motor mount on the passenger side.
(4) 10 mm bolts maybe remove the power steering reservoir for more room press the tensioner piston back in insert a thumb tack into the pin hole, two 10 mm bolts remove the tensioner and replace.

Max ride your thinking of the TC Guides

I'm not a mechanic and I don't trust fixing it myself lol. Unless its a small job. I kinda figured it would take longer then 30 minutes.

If you cant do your tune ups alone, i would suggest taking it to a shop. But book time for a tensioner is about .6 hrs i believe

If I drive to the mechanic the noise will be gone by then. So Idek how to explain the noise and problem if he can't diagnose it.

Anyone??

Could be a cheap oil filter without an anti dtainback valve.

The noise goes away after a while because oil from the engine lubricates it. My 3.5 swap does make a bit of noise as well from the chain but it is not very loud.

My 95 does the same thing. But it stops once its warmed up.

unless its a constant noise i wdnt worry about it.

I had a 93 max and the chain popped on me. It took 2+ years to fail and by that time the noise was a constant helicopter sound lol

If you start the car and shut it off within a minute you will hear the chain rattle if you let it sit overnight. Its normal, you have a problem if it rattles everytime you start the car.

Lol alright. Yeah it completely went away when I started it again this morning. So I guess I'm good.

On my late 98 GXE, i remember it started making a chain rattle at higher speeds, 60 mph+, or sometimes if i pushed it hard at slower speeds, I wonder what that was about....

Probably just the oil filter draining off and causing noise with the valve train.

Probably.

and thats why i use an oem filter. you can buy them cheap on ebay in packs of 3 or 6 for like 18.00.

I use a K&N filter.

Reguardless, if it's the timing chain tensioner you'll be fine. Just dont hop in and rev the piss out of it when its bone cold.

I don't think I ever drive the engine cold. Haha I always wait till it's at least above the c mark.

:sprint:

You should be fine if it doesn't do it every time you start the car, and even then when the tensioner is going out it starts with a small noise and it gets worst as the condition of the tensioner worsen, so don't worry at this point.

Alright thanks for the input everyone.

Is it really that simple to change??? would i have to remove that whole engine mount and jack the engine up. I may practice on one in the jy before I actually try to do mine, ive got a 95 would the new style tensioners work on my car?

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...in-rattle.html

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...-troubles.html
http://forums.maxima.org/picture.php...ictureid=35142

what the fuk is goin on here

You start your cold engine and let it idle until the temperature gauge reaches the C mark?

Not only is that a waste of gasoline, it also contaminates your engine oil with gasoline and consequently wears the engine more. The engine warms up faster with a load on it.

Better drive off soon after starting the engine, just go easy on it until it warms up.

Uh, where the heck did you get facts to back that theory?

I've been driving for almost 30 years, worked on cars since I was 5, grand-father was an Automotive Engineer and have NEVER heard that.

You're supposed to let your car warm up a bit, not saying all the way, but some. I've always been told to wait until it takes that first step down at idle.

Running cold oil at "high" RPMs will cause excessive pressure, more wear, etc. Not to mention advanced timing will use more fuel...

Cocaine is a helluva drug.

I'll be honest, I don't wait for my car to warm up before I start driving cause
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but I don't take it over 2k RPM until it's fully warmed up. Ideally, you're supposed to wait until the engine warms up all the way. there's a "cold idle" for a reason. nissan isn't stupid, they know what they are doing lol.