Last week my engine was whining but it only lasted a few minutes but today it's back and whenever I come to a stop it starts to smoke slightly and and there's a burning smell. I opened up the hood and the smoke seems to be coming from the passenger side of the engine. After doing some research I'm guessing it might be my tensioner??? Does that sound right? Is that an expensive fix? I have a shop at my house with a car lift and cherry picker (came with the house but I have never used it) my brother used to be a diesel mechanic so he can probably do the work but how much should i expect to pay for parts?

 

Check your power steering fluid. The resovouir is on the passenger side of the engine, and it might smoke if it's leaking onto something hot. And it tends to leak on Maximas...
Mine just started leaking a few days ago.

 

I'll have to check on that when i go home but my steering felt fine so I don't know if that would be it

 

Power steering fluid is full although I forgot to mention it was low a couple of weeks ago but I topped it off and it's still full so I don't think there is a leak or anything

 

I had a mechanic look at it and he says he thinks it's the timing chain tensioner, it makes rattling noise on startup and when rpms come down. Checked the oil and it isn't low so he's pretty sure the tensioner is the problem.
How much will parts cost to fix this?

 

progress, I haven't ordered parts yet I need to look and see if it's just the tensioners or if the chains need replacing too.

 

Tensioner shouldn't cause smoke. Rattle likely, but not whine. Is that your engine pulled in the pic?