Timing chain rattle
#1
Timing chain rattle
hey fellow maxima owners! i recently bought a pearl white 98 maxima se 5 speed and noticed something odd... On cold startup the engine runs very smooth with no weird noises or anything.. Once it reaches operating temp i can hear a little clanking from the timing chain area. What do you think it can be? Any help would be much appreciated TIA!
#2
I had a 94' hardbody with the KA24E engine. Same problem. Cold start you would hear the sound of a can full of pebbles shaking. It lasted about 1.5 seconds. Im 99% sure it was something with the timing chain. Pretty much all of the replies from nissan4x4 said timing chain. Alot of mechanics didnt want to take the job. Might have been the truck. Unfortunaly that truck was totaled about 6k miles after it started so thats all I can tell ya. Dam I miss that thing.
How many miles on your max? I had around 170k on my hardbody.
How many miles on your max? I had around 170k on my hardbody.
#4
[QUOTE=dantheman;8663316]I had a 94' hardbody with the KA24E engine. Same problem. Cold start you would hear the sound of a can full of pebbles shaking. It lasted about 1.5 seconds. Im 99% sure it was something with the timing chain. Pretty much all of the replies from nissan4x4 said timing chain. Alot of mechanics didnt want to take the job. Might have been the truck. Unfortunaly that truck was totaled about 6k miles after it started so thats all I can tell ya. Dam I miss that thing.
How many miles on your max? I had around 170k on my hardbody.[/QUOTE|
My max has 165k... Thing i dont understand is that there is no timing chain noise at cold startup... only at operating temp. Lol im leaning towards a new chain tensioner... but i really do hope its not the chain guides
How many miles on your max? I had around 170k on my hardbody.[/QUOTE|
My max has 165k... Thing i dont understand is that there is no timing chain noise at cold startup... only at operating temp. Lol im leaning towards a new chain tensioner... but i really do hope its not the chain guides
#5
[quote=dans97maxi;8663476]
It would rattle all the time if it was guides. It would also sound like the engine was going to blow up. The tensioner is hydrolic so when the car is cold and the oil has had a chance to thicken it will work fine. When it heats up and thins out it looses its functionality.
It's common on these engines. Honestly type in "timing chain rattle" in the search bar an you will find a bunch of info.
I had a 94' hardbody with the KA24E engine. Same problem. Cold start you would hear the sound of a can full of pebbles shaking. It lasted about 1.5 seconds. Im 99% sure it was something with the timing chain. Pretty much all of the replies from nissan4x4 said timing chain. Alot of mechanics didnt want to take the job. Might have been the truck. Unfortunaly that truck was totaled about 6k miles after it started so thats all I can tell ya. Dam I miss that thing.
How many miles on your max? I had around 170k on my hardbody.[/QUOTE|
My max has 165k... Thing i dont understand is that there is no timing chain noise at cold startup... only at operating temp. Lol im leaning towards a new chain tensioner... but i really do hope its not the chain guides
How many miles on your max? I had around 170k on my hardbody.[/QUOTE|
My max has 165k... Thing i dont understand is that there is no timing chain noise at cold startup... only at operating temp. Lol im leaning towards a new chain tensioner... but i really do hope its not the chain guides
It's common on these engines. Honestly type in "timing chain rattle" in the search bar an you will find a bunch of info.
#6
#9
#10
Can someone post these questions for me?
I'm new to this website and I am required to reply 15 times before I can post. Can someone post my questions please?
I own a 1999 Maxima SE that I bought new in 1999. I have 198k miles on it. Just the other day I heard the rattle coming from the timing chain cover. After reading a lot, I'm pretty sure the timing chain guides are worn out and I am doing the work.
Questions:
1. I have read the chains and gears are never bad. I was planning on replacing the guides and tensioners only. I need some guidance here. I don't want to take valve covers and plenum off if it is not necessary?
2. The book that I am working from calls for supporting engine and removing cross member. Anyone have any idea why the cross member needs to come off?
Thanks in advance.
Semper Fi.
I own a 1999 Maxima SE that I bought new in 1999. I have 198k miles on it. Just the other day I heard the rattle coming from the timing chain cover. After reading a lot, I'm pretty sure the timing chain guides are worn out and I am doing the work.
Questions:
1. I have read the chains and gears are never bad. I was planning on replacing the guides and tensioners only. I need some guidance here. I don't want to take valve covers and plenum off if it is not necessary?
2. The book that I am working from calls for supporting engine and removing cross member. Anyone have any idea why the cross member needs to come off?
Thanks in advance.
Semper Fi.
#11
I'm new to this website and I am required to reply 15 times before I can post. Can someone post my questions please?
I own a 1999 Maxima SE that I bought new in 1999. I have 198k miles on it. Just the other day I heard the rattle coming from the timing chain cover. After reading a lot, I'm pretty sure the timing chain guides are worn out and I am doing the work.
Questions:
1. I have read the chains and gears are never bad. I was planning on replacing the guides and tensioners only. I need some guidance here. I don't want to take valve covers and plenum off if it is not necessary?
2. The book that I am working from calls for supporting engine and removing cross member. Anyone have any idea why the cross member needs to come off?
Thanks in advance.
Semper Fi.
I own a 1999 Maxima SE that I bought new in 1999. I have 198k miles on it. Just the other day I heard the rattle coming from the timing chain cover. After reading a lot, I'm pretty sure the timing chain guides are worn out and I am doing the work.
Questions:
1. I have read the chains and gears are never bad. I was planning on replacing the guides and tensioners only. I need some guidance here. I don't want to take valve covers and plenum off if it is not necessary?
2. The book that I am working from calls for supporting engine and removing cross member. Anyone have any idea why the cross member needs to come off?
Thanks in advance.
Semper Fi.
#12
Thanks for the reply.
I'm using a Haynes manual.
On page 2B-7, section 7 is Timing chain and sprockets- removal, inspection and installation.
Step 9 Remove the power steering pump and bracket. You confirmed this needs to happen.
Step 10 Remove the air conditioning compressor. Is this necessary?
Step 13 Support the engine/transaxle securely from above with a hoist or a three-bar engine brace. Is this necessary?
Step 14 Detach the front and rear engine mount through-bolts and remove the crossmember and engine mounts from the vehicle as an assembly. Is this necessary?
I'm following this section because I have not fully decided to just change guides and tensioners. I want to get by with guides and tensioner only. Any advice on whether or not I should change chain and gears is appreciated.
Thanks again.
I'm using a Haynes manual.
On page 2B-7, section 7 is Timing chain and sprockets- removal, inspection and installation.
Step 9 Remove the power steering pump and bracket. You confirmed this needs to happen.
Step 10 Remove the air conditioning compressor. Is this necessary?
Step 13 Support the engine/transaxle securely from above with a hoist or a three-bar engine brace. Is this necessary?
Step 14 Detach the front and rear engine mount through-bolts and remove the crossmember and engine mounts from the vehicle as an assembly. Is this necessary?
I'm following this section because I have not fully decided to just change guides and tensioners. I want to get by with guides and tensioner only. Any advice on whether or not I should change chain and gears is appreciated.
Thanks again.
#13
Thanks for the reply.
I'm using a Haynes manual.
On page 2B-7, section 7 is Timing chain and sprockets- removal, inspection and installation.
Step 9 Remove the power steering pump and bracket. You confirmed this needs to happen.
Step 10 Remove the air conditioning compressor. Is this necessary?
Step 13 Support the engine/transaxle securely from above with a hoist or a three-bar engine brace. Is this necessary?
Step 14 Detach the front and rear engine mount through-bolts and remove the crossmember and engine mounts from the vehicle as an assembly. Is this necessary?
I'm following this section because I have not fully decided to just change guides and tensioners. I want to get by with guides and tensioner only. Any advice on whether or not I should change chain and gears is appreciated.
Thanks again.
I'm using a Haynes manual.
On page 2B-7, section 7 is Timing chain and sprockets- removal, inspection and installation.
Step 9 Remove the power steering pump and bracket. You confirmed this needs to happen.
Step 10 Remove the air conditioning compressor. Is this necessary?
Step 13 Support the engine/transaxle securely from above with a hoist or a three-bar engine brace. Is this necessary?
Step 14 Detach the front and rear engine mount through-bolts and remove the crossmember and engine mounts from the vehicle as an assembly. Is this necessary?
I'm following this section because I have not fully decided to just change guides and tensioners. I want to get by with guides and tensioner only. Any advice on whether or not I should change chain and gears is appreciated.
Thanks again.
No need to replace chains and gears. All steps after 9 is not necessary. Guides and tensioners is all you need. If your water pump was never replaced, I would advise to replace the o-rings at least while you are there or replace the entire pump.
#16
UncleMax98 have you done the entire timing chain change before? Did you see any wear on your chains or gears? I have read the chains and gears are good.
Thanks for the input.
#19
Rattle noise is gone after replacing the tensioner and adding the metal gasket. It has been over 3 years since. BTW, my car is a 98 with 220K+.
Note: If you still have noise after replacing the tensioner, you can ask the dealer for a "fix" It is a metal gasket between the tensioner and the engine body. Cost about $5. I am the original owner and my car does not have the metal gasket from the factory. The first time I replaced the tensioner, the noise did not go away. After adding the metal gasket, the noise went away.
Note: If you still have noise after replacing the tensioner, you can ask the dealer for a "fix" It is a metal gasket between the tensioner and the engine body. Cost about $5. I am the original owner and my car does not have the metal gasket from the factory. The first time I replaced the tensioner, the noise did not go away. After adding the metal gasket, the noise went away.
#20
Hopefully the pictures can be viewed. Top HTML link below is a picture of my cam gear in front of the #2 cylinder (radiator side). At the bottom of the picture is a timing chain guide. At the top of the guide is the yellow colored link on the chain that is supposed to be down by the crank gear. By my count the timing chain is off the marks by 16 links. I have verified I'm at TDC on cylinder #1 (see bottom HTML link below). I am the original owner and the timing chain never been changed before. Has anyone ever seen an engine run for 198k miles with the chain on 180 degrees out? I can't imagine that the chain has jump this many links. I plan on taking chain off and installing the new chain on the correct marks.
Anyone have 2 cents about this situation?
Thanks in advance.
http://s439.beta.photobucket.com/use..._0314.jpg.html
http://s439.beta.photobucket.com/use..._0305.jpg.html
Anyone have 2 cents about this situation?
Thanks in advance.
http://s439.beta.photobucket.com/use..._0314.jpg.html
http://s439.beta.photobucket.com/use..._0305.jpg.html
Last edited by vmat202; 12-02-2012 at 02:43 PM.
#22
Hopefully the pictures can be viewed. Top HTML link below is a picture of my cam gear in front of the #2 cylinder (radiator side). At the bottom of the picture is a timing chain guide. At the top of the guide is the yellow colored link on the chain that is supposed to be down by the crank gear. By my count the timing chain is off the marks by 16 links. I have verified I'm at TDC on cylinder #1 (see bottom HTML link below). I am the original owner and the timing chain never been changed before. Has anyone ever seen an engine run for 198k miles with the chain on 180 degrees out? I can't imagine that the chain has jump this many links. I plan on taking chain off and installing the new chain on the correct marks.
Anyone have 2 cents about this situation?
Thanks in advance.
/IMG_0305.jpg.html[/url]
Anyone have 2 cents about this situation?
Thanks in advance.
/IMG_0305.jpg.html[/url]
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trungg86
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
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09-04-2015 04:58 AM