ThomasofSodor

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

nestorlugo

iTrader: (11)

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

nestorlugo

iTrader: (11)

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

Child_uv_KoRn

iTrader: (7)

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.

Boxness

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.

Donkeypunch

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?

nestorlugo

iTrader: (11)

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)

dwapenyi

iTrader: (3)

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.

dwapenyi

iTrader: (3)

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

Child_uv_KoRn

iTrader: (7)

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

Donkeypunch

dwapenyi

iTrader: (3)

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.

Boxness

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.

Donkeypunch

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****.

Child_uv_KoRn

iTrader: (7)

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.