Timing chain replacement
 

I have an 01 AE with 120k, I bought it with 90k and was thinking of doing it soon. Car runs very well but I don't know if it was done by previous owner.
My questions are,
1: At what mileage did you do it?
2: Have you replaced all 3 chains and all tensioners or just the main chain?
3: Any of you do this yourself? Please post regrets or tips to share.

Is it making noise? The chain isn't regular maintenance. Why do you want to replace it? My 96 has 167k and still on original chain....

chains should be good for a while....I think it might be easier to pull the engine out to change it lol

It's not making any noise. I started autocrossing this year and it was on my mind as a better safe than sorry repair.

Yeah you may be right, I read the service manual proceedure. OYE!

The chains on a vq is maintance free and should be good for the life of the car.

The only thing that you would change if you start to hear chain noise is the tensoner.

Trust me you dont want to change the chains unless you have to.

That is the truth right there, well said.

In my case I hear chain noise but only when the engine is worm. i can even feel the vibration a little next to the valve cover. How many hours is it to change the tensioner cause the timing chain if I'm not mistaking is about 13hours without pulling the engine out. And that is a bit scarry if you think 60$/hour...

Never had the chain replaced or serviced. Runs perfectly quiet.
All cars should use chains, rather than belts, frankly.

Since you've neglected to either tell us what year your car is or fill out your profile, I'll quote this for a VQ35.

Book time is 1.1 hours to R&R the tensioner.

Do you mean 11 hours?

I talked to my boy who used to be a Nissan tech but just got laid off and he told me that even though the tensioners will make noise sometimes, it is very rare for it to actually skip a link, so if you can deal with a little noise it should be fine.

I don't know how true this is though so don't quote me on it haha

No, I mean 1.1.

If it takes you 11 hours to do the main tensioner...

the whole point of a timing chain vs a timing belt is that you never have to replace it. now lets say you've been driving on low oil your whole life, it'll probably rattle its way off, but then you'll have bigger problems.

but no seriously, dont worry about it. if its not broken, dont fix it. its a chain, not a belt, so it doesn't wear.

It does wear, but not an appreciable amount. The entire point of the automatic tensioner is to compensate for the wear.

I do remember hearing about an engine or two that calls for a timing chain replacement as part of regular maintenance, just can't remember what they were.

I 'm impressed! You just a genius. If you can do all of this for 30 min...
Just to get there (requires removing the intake manifold, AC compressor, power steering pump, cross member, engine mount, oil pans and more):
http://borriss.smugmug.com/photos/597470240_ErPb9-O.jpg

Boris, he's right. What you posted is the steps for removing the chain. The tensioner has an access cover that allows easy access. I take it you've never done a waterpump on a VQ......

Thanks for all the info guys, I see now there's no reason to change the chain as a maintainance item. I will be checking the tension soon as a precaution.

I do have another question though:
Can you replace the tensioners through the access covers or does the entire timing cover have to be removed.

Thanks again

See the post above yours.

Oups my bad... > (just updated My info)
Mine is the VQ30 SE 2000.
Would it still be as easy to replace that tensioner?

Yea the black access panel is on the front of the timing cover

Thx.

:squint:

Thanks, KRRZ350. Yeah, i checked for the water pump and it's much easier procedure, just 10 steps instead of 30. It is a good news! My apologize to pmohr.

dont bother

I've never quite figured out what can go wrong with the "tensioner"? Unless the oil supply gallery gets plugged, what can go haywire with a dead simple hydraulic piston? The slack side chain guide yes, or one of the other chain guides, maybe, but the "tensioner"......I'd be surprised.

if he's got chain noise though, it could be low oil. that is usually the primary culprit concerning the chain noise.

but yeah i know, of course the chain wears, but not to the point where you have to replace it in fear it'll snap.

My car is running fine, no chain noise. Oil is always checked and changed regularly with Mobile One. I was just concerned about autocrossing an engine with 120k with what I am assuming is the orginal timing chain.
From the great responses I have gotten, I don't think I have anything to worry about. But I will keep an ear out for any chain noise in the future and check the tensioner for exessive wear periodically.

yeah your tensioner should be fine if you dont hear any noise. but yeah, the timing chain isn't what they consider preventative. i mean hell change it why not, but if you don't, you're still good =)

which means less time in that hot awful garage! haha

my max 00(114k) make a little timing chain noise at iddle(very low)but a soon i push the trottle the sound disapear,,it is normal????

mine begin to make a litle noise at idle,,but last week i changed the oil of my engine for 5/30 synthetic and the sound apear suddenly

i will change the tensoner just to be safe,,a full timing chain job cost close to 600$:bawling:here!!!

TIMING CHAIN BIGGEST PAIN IN THE WORLD

lol

Yeah its not fun.


But its deffently not the worst.

Bit of an exaggeration there. Guess you've never done anything below the plenum on a Z32 TT or headers on a Z33, both are much worse, IMO.

ill take a carefree timing chain on a nissan engine over those POS timing belts on hondas anyday of the year.

Hello All.... I Just Brought A 96 SE Maxima... The Seller Told Me That The timing belt needs to be adjusted.. I have no idea what he means but when i start the car, I hear a loud fast knocking noise coming from where he pointed out the timing belt is located.. The car has oil but definitely needs a oil change cuz of how black it is.. I'm trying to see if I should bother fixing this car up and making it my best or just getting rid of it... Please HElp Me out If u Can!!

It's not a belt, it's a chain.

Hmmm
 

OK, sorry to jump in here, but either I have an unusual car, or my stealership is lying to my face. I have an '03 with 175K miles. I have had some timing chain rattle of late. I took it in and they're telling me that the chain, secondary chain, tensioner(s) need to be replaced. And it will cost me $2600, but that's throwing in a new water pump.
The mechanic came out and swore to me that sometimes the chains get worn or stretched, and that just replacing the tensioner won't fix the problem.
Can I get some expert opinions? Is my car unusual or am I being lied to?

Probably yes to both parts. Go to another mechanic and get a second opinon.

I agree!

You could put in a low mileage used engine for less than $2600. No way would I put $2600 into an engine with 175,000 miles.