Possible timing chain noise
08-26-2018, 06:25 PM
#1
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Possible timing chain noise
Ok, I have an 02 Maxima SE with 125k miles. I purchased the car new and have serviced it regularly every 5-6k miles. The car sat for about 1 year without being driven. My daughter started driving the car about 10 months ago. With just some normal repairs so far everything was going great until last week. She said she noticed a funny noise while she was driving. I took it for a test drive and heard a noise coming from the timing chain side of the engine. When the car idles it is quiet but when you rev it to 1,500 rpm it starts making a loud ticking/rattling around the timing cover area. I have pulled the motor mount and tensioner inspection cover and looking in with a borescope everything appears to be correct. I have spent many hours searching causes, I notice a lot of posts for later cars but not much for the 02. I am willing to go forward with pulling the timing cover but wanted to check with the forum to see if anyone else had similar issues. Also, if it the timing chain guides/tensioners should I replace the chains too? Just hate to tear it down if I could be something else.
08-27-2018, 04:39 PM
#2
Don't do it yet! The 04+ cars have timing issues but the previous cars are usually rock solid. Pulling the timing cover is a real pain.
First check the pulleys. Get a mechanics stethoscope and listen around the area. My money is on one of the pulleys going bad or maybe noise from the alternator.
You can also remove the accessory belt and see if the noise goes away. It's fine to drive for a short time without the belt.
First check the pulleys. Get a mechanics stethoscope and listen around the area. My money is on one of the pulleys going bad or maybe noise from the alternator.
You can also remove the accessory belt and see if the noise goes away. It's fine to drive for a short time without the belt.
08-27-2018, 05:30 PM
#3
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Possible timing chain noise
Derrick2k2SE,
Thanks for the reply, after some further research last night I decided to go your route and pull the belts to see if I can narrow down the noise. I understand the work related to the timing cover removal that’s why I wanted to see if anyone else had similar issues before moving forward. I will post an update after I go through the next steps. Thanks again for your input.
Thanks for the reply, after some further research last night I decided to go your route and pull the belts to see if I can narrow down the noise. I understand the work related to the timing cover removal that’s why I wanted to see if anyone else had similar issues before moving forward. I will post an update after I go through the next steps. Thanks again for your input.
Don't do it yet! The 04+ cars have timing issues but the previous cars are usually rock solid. Pulling the timing cover is a real pain.
First check the pulleys. Get a mechanics stethoscope and listen around the area. My money is on one of the pulleys going bad or maybe noise from the alternator.
You can also remove the accessory belt and see if the noise goes away. It's fine to drive for a short time without the belt.
First check the pulleys. Get a mechanics stethoscope and listen around the area. My money is on one of the pulleys going bad or maybe noise from the alternator.
You can also remove the accessory belt and see if the noise goes away. It's fine to drive for a short time without the belt.
08-27-2018, 07:00 PM
#5
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