im looking at buying a 92 se 5spd, with about 127k on it. its black with black leather. but it needs a new timing chain. what could potential problems be with this car, othr than the timing chain? whats the best case senario and the worst? ideas appreciated.

 

How do you know that it needs a timing chain?

 

cuz the seller told me it does.

 

needed a timing chain with those miles almost is scary

 

i thought timing chains on a VE never need to be changed?

 

thats what ive been reading

 

If it really needs a new chain, then the engine is probably done for. If you can get it cheap enough, putting in a JDM VE might be worth it overall. Another scenario is that he is mistaking the ticking of the VTCs for a bad timing chain, in which case you can try and get it for cheap anyway, and drive it as long as you don't mind the clacking. I think it all depends on the price.

 

<1000 go for it? >1000 dont?

 

Depends on how much an engine replacement would cost. JDM VEs are ~$800-1000, and if you can't do the labor yourself, figure $600-1000 more for labor. If the rest of the car is pretty mint and you want it real bad, it might be worth your while. I'd say take it to your mechanic or have him look at it and try to confirm if it is indeed the timing chain.

 

thats the problem, i cant take it to a mechanic, its in maine

 

its at $610 now

 

This vehicle needs to have the timing chain replaced and must be towed. It would also be an excellent "Parts Only" vehicle. The clutch and alternator have been replaced within the past 5000 miles. The body is in good shape with only one small half-dollar size dent in the back trunk as a result from shipping it back from California. Dual power leather seats, moonroof, full Bose stereo system including a cd player. Tires and brakes have medium wear. Passed Massachusetts State inspection 10/04 with no problems. Interior is a bit dirty in the pictures taken last week, otherwise in good shape. This car still has extremely good pick-up speed and maneuverability on the highway. I have really enjoyed this car over the past eight years. This Maxima can be seen located at the Cambridge/Somerville/Arlington town lines with relatively short notice to me via email.

 

That tells me that the timing chain broke while the engine was in operation. That means, at a minimum, a severly damageed and or destroyed valvetrain, not to mention bottom end damage.

 

Haha, I work on the Somerville / Cambridge line...which are towns in Mass, not Maine.

 

probably getting MA and ME confused
MA = Mass
ME = Maine

 

ok i think ill pass

 

yeah, if the chain broke, you may NEVER get it running again, the worst thing that can happen is a piston or valve getting bent and freeze up on you. but a CHAIN breaking at 127k??? wow, faulty chain or driven really hard.....plus if it a stick, he might have over-revved the car. like downshifting from 5th to 1st going 60 MPH, chain slipps and breaks..... hey it can be possible

 

a low mileage, blk/blk leather, VE 5sp may be worth the engine swap. That's a hot car to have.

 

Thanks, I appreciate that

 

Actually with these engines being interferance, then a bent valve is the least that would happen. There are far more bad things that could have happened if the chain broke. It all depends on when it broke (ie. idleing, over reving, etc.). IMHO check for signs of the infamous "3rd Gen Rust Issue" and check over the rest of the car.....if all looks well then buy it and swap in a good VE. Cause black on black is really hot.

 

sounds like a smokin deal if its in as good of shape as it sounds and you can do the work yourself

 

i got one in chicago for sale if you wnat to come take a look at it. much closer than maine. let me know if you are interested

joshlaly69@yahoo.com

 

For $610-$800 it might be a decent deal if you can swap engines yourself. If you buy/pay for labor, it will end up being about $2000-$2200 if it was done right (ie.. new studs/ks/seals/wp etc...). But even then, you might just break even. But you would have a low miler engine.

 

Well, definitely something is wrong with the engine, even if it isn't the timing chain that broke. No matter what it is, it would probably be easier to buy a JDM than to fix the engine. If you go to a shop, the book on just replacing the timing chains (and nothing else) is something like 15 hours. The cheapest shops now charge $60 an hour, which is about the same cost as a JDM. The chains are also pretty expensive. I do have a set I will sell cheap if you want to give it a try, though.

Like Jeff said, for $600-$800 and a JDM swap for maybe another $2k (<$3k total), you would have a low mileage hard-to-find VE 5-speed black with black leather.

 

Except that he'd also have to tow it from Mass to Indiana....but I think the auction ended, so we'll see soon enough if he won.

 

i didnt win it. as desirable as a black on black 3rd gen is, its too much trouble.