I did some quick searching and have read about the 3.5 timing chain issue. Im curious if i have the knocking when first start up. How soon should i get this fixed. My job requires me to drive around 40 miles round trip so im willing to get it fixed asap if required. But i was curious how soon i should address this problem and how far should i have it taken. I would do just the tensioner but im willing to fork over the dough and have all the chains, tensioners, wp and whatever replaced while im in there.

Ben

 

Although imo the noise comes from the broken chain guide,if you want you can splurge on the whole timing kit chains included....wp's just don't give out....by what I've read.... Nissan timming chain part 2.wmv: http://youtu.be/I0b6mQPLigU

 

Nissan 3.5L Timing Chain ticking: http://youtu.be/QI3xqgakdP0

 

Same process, but that issue is specific to 04-08 motors (they also eat into the guides which he doesn't mention since his hasn't done it yet).

Tensioner replacement alone should fix any startup noise on ours.

 

Considering I just bought my max as a mechanics special for a timing problem, i'd say get it fixed soon. The lady who owned the car only had it for 6 months and neglected it for that time. It was using oil, so low oil pressure lead to a slapping chain, broken guide, skipped on the intake cam and broke it. Really did a number, but was completely fixable. I suppose if you dont have an oil issue/ keeping an eye on it, you could let it go for a while. I havent worked with Nissan long enough to pin this stuff down, but I know our master tech takes those timing jobs as 'gravy work' haha.

 

Does the 3L have any timing chain problems?
I know eventually the guides on all chained engines break
but is the 3.5L specifically pretty bad?

 

I would think only if it was ran for a while with low oil levels,but once the 3.5 came to be assembled in the us back in 03 is when the bad **** happened imo....usual American made stuff(i.e.china)

 

I think it's a cause and effect thing. The timing chain on the 3.5s isn't bad per se. Rather, the pre cats go bad->pre cat debris gets sucked into the motor->piston rings get eaten->massive oil consumption ensues->timing chain system which is heavily dependent on proper oil lubrication and oil pressure for the tensioners suffers.
The 3.0s don't have pre cat problems, therefore no excessive oil consumption or timing chain issues.

 

You should ask your master tech if they see a correlation between timing chain issues and pre cat issues.

 

and 3.0 valve covers don't leak so gd much. Those and the oil cooler can run you empty between oil changes.

 

 

Yeah. Search the 5th gen forums for oil consumption. Many many hits will come up. Read the threads and you'll see the common cancer for 02-03 maximas.

 

I'll ask him tomorrow. But when I was asking him about the engine he never mentioned the cats. Just that the oil rings get gunked up. But the cats on this one were good just the bad oil rings. Ya know low oil= low oil pressure for that hydraulic timing tensioner.

 

Pre cats breaking up and getting sucked into the engine through the exhaust and doing what? then getting blown back out, then in again? whatever people think is going on is bull****.

 

That is fact, btw.

How it is related to the tensioner is a different story. The tensioners that don't work probably just have defective seals and don't hold pressure at idle.
If a chain guide is broken, then being low on oil and banging the chain around could be an issue, I imagine.

 

Our I30 with 3.0 is quiet so far with 140k mi but I'm changing it.
Honestly I miss the belt setup my 1988 Max 3.0 had, much cheaper over the life of the car unless you buy cheap China chain/parts. Best of luck with that!
Sometimes you can roll the dice right & run a chain 200k or better.
Ive seen a Chrysler 300 with over 200k & a Toy Land Cruiser hit over 300k mi on their OEM timing belts without failing because their owners weren't aware of it needing replaced reg.
But honestly speaking a belt setups not only cheaper to replace but it forces us to maintain our chit better so engines last longer. Car makers telling owners timing chains last the life of their cars is pure bs! They say this because car makers consider the life of a car is 100k miles, its why extended warranties stop at 10yr/100k mi.
Back when belts were the norm on Nissans the only reason one wouldn't hit 400k was a lack of proper maintenance or cheap China parts were used where they shouldn't be. You know, like on a car..lol
Some engines chains can last longer of course as engine designs/apps differ significantly adding more stress.
My buddy has a 2012 F150 4x4 with 148k mi, shop just discovered metal shavings throughout his engine costing him serious money replacing it. He's basically paying for his truck again. Fords Chinese American quality all the way bites again!! Imagine that!
My bro's old 1992 Dakota went 245k before chain shavings destroyed his engine.
So just because those tensioners are whisper quiet don't always mean serious damage isn't right around the corner. My bro owned an automotive shop, his chains never made a sound he found shavings while changing his oil, my buds Ford suddenly started stalling & hard starting instead. So run a clean magnet through your old oil & check for small shavings if your chain has high miles.
Peace

​​Fyi- Cloyes site states 80-120k mile intervals, about the same as a Timing belt.
https://www.cloyes.com/timing-chain-...ked-questions/

 

9 year old post. if it hasnt been fixed by now it probably never will be because its been scrapped.