Ok so I have a very load raspy sounding timing chain and at first it wasn't all that bad, but it seems to be getting much worse, I've been doing a lot of research on the forum but I cannot really find the answer to the questions that I have. I guess the main question would be will the tensioner fix the rattle? how hard is this job for an entry level mechanic? I cannot seem to find any how too's on how to perform this job is there anyone who can shed some light to a how to step-by-step or video? Also if I decide to have the job done at a shop, how much would or should it cost?

thanks

 

obviously they probably arent gonna be able to show you everything, its a bigger job then i would wanna take on thats for sure, and i think i would only take it to someone who has done it before on a maxima..probably a mech. that works for a nissan dealer not just some back yard mech......anyway i replied because i was curious how many miles on your ride?

 

Well I'm in school right now for automotive technition. That's why I was just wondering how involved the job is or how much it typically costs to have it done. I only have 135k on the car.

Anyone else have any info on this?

 

anybody?

 

Yes, start by replacing the primary tensioner. There are two black access covers on the timing cover. The rear is the main tensioner, the front is the the water pump. Remove anything in your way. Passenger motor mount, power steering hoses, etc.
It is probably a PITA to work within such a small opening.. Many people drop bolts down into the cover and either fish it out or have to take the whole cover off which is a whole lot more work.
The quotes I've seen on here are $1-2,000
Which judging by that quote they are removing the whole timing cover. Then if course they will tell you to replace the water pump as well (which you should).
An entry level mechanic with lots of patience and common sense could certainly do it.

 

thank you very much for your help and reply, since winter is on it's way and I have no time between work and college i'm going to try and tackle the job in the spring so i should have plenty of time to gather info, I am however a visual learner so so you know any how to's with pics or videos by any chance?

 

I hardly come on this site... Sold my 4th gen 2 years back. There is an excellent write up on timing belt tensioner/waterpump on this site. Please search for it. I have owned 2 4th gens, I used the write up to do the timing chain tensioner on a 95 max.

The write up was excellent. I will tell you that I dropped the original tensioner in the access cover of the engine. I was lucky that I was able to get it out with a magnetic retrieval tool. I did the water pump and the timing chain simultaneously.

I love working on cars... I will still say that this job is a 7/10 in difficulty. But now that I have done it... I could do it again in 1.5 hours and wouldn't sweat it. Use permatex when you reseal the timing chain access cover. And I suggest buying the tensioner from Nissan.

 

Going to technician school and you're sweating a repair? Okay. Dude honestly I would take off the whole cover. That way when stuff falls it will be easy to take out. You can replace the seals on your water pump. change the tensioner. And re seal the timing cover. It's about that time for that timing cover to start leaking so that's the approach I would take, because I will doing This same thing pretty soon. (Ps. I would make timing marks everywhere just in case you jump a tooth when replacing the tensioner. )

 

Thanks for all the help and feed back. I did search the forum for the write up cuz I remember seeing it but I couldn't find it, so if you could provide me with a link or anyone else that would be great. I'm not sweating the job but It all comes down if I have the time to do it myself and gathering info for the job I plan on doing in the spring.

 

Simply look into the HowTo's Sticky thread in this 4th GEN forum. It is the 4th thread from the top. Scroll down that thread and you'll easily find this link: HowTo: Replace Water Pump.

That website guides you in replacing the water pump and tensioner. I'm not spoon-feeding you that website because it took me less than a minute. You're going to have to learn to search and stop posting impatiently.

 

Ok dude seriously..how was I supposed to know the water pump link also had thad the procedure for the tensioners. Between work and school I have very little time to search this stuff. I ask for help as I could not fond the answers I was looking for AFTER SEARCHING. You should learn to not comment on **** if you don't know the persons.situation..thanks for the help.

 

not to be an *** or anything.. but make sure you actually have oil in it first XD

 

Loving these awesome replies..haha

 

http://vqpower.com/v3/content/water-pump-replacement

 

Thanks for the link fakie^

 

No worries.