Dimashka

I had a rattle in my engine bay for the past 5k miles and it would only happened when the RPM were comming down and when I started the car. Most people on here were saying it was the timing chain tensioner or the precats. It was preaty loud so I was asuming it was the tensioner. Today I finally dropped of the car at Arlington Nissan and they told me it was the tensioner. He said he is not sure but most likely he was going to replace all 3? I am not sure what 3 but thats what he said. Also, they quoted me at $1100 with the replacement of spark plugs. They were only charging me for the spark plugs so I asked them to do it. Am i getting a good deal? I called all the other nissan dealers and all of them wanted to charge more. I got quoted as high as $2300. Is this a good price for this type of work?

Thanks guys

rroderiques77

iTrader: (45)

You're looking at about 13 hours of labor. This job sucks. I've done tons of these.
The smartest thing for you is to replace all three chains and all tensioners. How many miles on it? If over 100K, then definetely change the chains.

Oh yeah!! while you're in there . Get some JWT cams!!!

Dimashka

i just hit 80k and I will tell them to replace everything because i dotn want to get in there again. Its enough that I pay that much right now.

sublime258

iTrader: (9)

I have a bad rattling noise too. Most people say theirs is around 1700-2000 RPMs, but mine is around 2000-3000. I thought it was the timing chain tensioner too, so I took it to the stealership and they basically d*cked me over and fed me some bullsh*t by saying it's my flex pipe (the noise isn't coming from under the car, it's coming from the engine bay). I actually started a thread about it...http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...xperience.html. Anyways, I still have this rattle issue and it hasn't been resolved, and my extended warranty expires in about 500 miles. Please keep us updated on your experience, I would like to hear from more people who conquered this mysterious and annoying noise.

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

what year?

Dimashka

2003 6spd se

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

perfect candidate for timing chain rattle due to low oil....

Dimashka

what do you mean due to low oil?

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

the VQ35 has a known oil consumption problem caused by bad rings...the problem is even more noticeable in a car with a 6 speed...the timing chain tentioner uses oil pressure to work properly...when the oil is low, the chain rattles...i would have the dealership check the oil level before paying all that money...

my saga - http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ealership.html

Weeble1

iTrader: (8)

It that the problem with these cars? I haven't heard a damn thing about a 3.5 burning oil...

Dimashka

I know its a major problem with vq35 but mine does not burn a single drop of oil. I do my oil changes every 3k miles and i just did not 2 days ago while looking for where the rattel is comming from. I dont think thats what caused my tensioner to go bad

rroderiques77

iTrader: (45)

It's one of the VQ 35's only downfalls.

rroderiques77

iTrader: (45)

Get another opinion before committing to it. It may be something stupid like a belt tensioner or something.

Dimashka

I have had a couple people look at it an we are very certain that it is the timing belt tensioner. I am just more worried if I am getting a good deal for the work and parts. Tell me guys is 1100 sound ok? Thats the best quote I got so far.

Thanks

rroderiques77

iTrader: (45)

What is he replacing for that amount?

Get it in writing and post the estimate here. It actually sounds about right. It all depends what their hourly rates are and what they are replacing. I need to see the estimate.

Dimashka

they are relplacing the 3 timing chain tensioners and spark plugs. all that he said is 8 hours of work at $115/ hour. w/ parts he claimed $1100 and covered my rental for 3 days.

Thanks

ice32

that sounds pretty reasonable

Dimashka

today they have finally gave me a call and told me that it is not my tensioner and that it is my precat. This was very happy news.

Now what do I do to fix it? do i have to buy new headers completely or what do I do?