My question is when should the timing chain be replaced, of course the ve's this also have an effect on the vtc's,I think?

 

Never seen a bad ve chain... Seen many bad vtc's that threw the chain, Hmmmmm

 

Now don't that get you thinkin I mean timing belt have to get changed at a minimium of 60,000 miles, chains can't be that much more efective that alone can be the cause of vtc's wear? speaking for myself I replaced my vtc's at 170,000 miles but not the chain.by the way with new nissan spec one's almost 800 dollars for the set,but from my experience it better to spend a little extra then to save at the time of the repair,and spend later again for the same problem.

 

I hear ya, I'm wondering the same for my truck... The ka24 in it has a timing chain.

 

But the KA is 1/8th the price so its actually feasible to change it. Id say under 200K and you wont even need to think about replacing it, and above that if you have the money why not. Shouldn't hurt either way.

The problem with belts is they continuously flex. And rubber breaks down. A metal chain has oil splashed on it, and has joints that pivot in oil, so it hardly wears at all. The metal will only stretch a little.

~Alex

 

Don't take my opinion, Alex knows his ****. -We don't need no stinking tranny dust covers.

I know I won't wait till 200k till I change my chain. Maybe 150k at the most.

 

that is what I sayin' no one has pursued this long time question

 

this has nothing 2 do w/timing chains,but i have been looking to see if anyone has experianced their gauge panel on their dash locking up? i have a 99 se and all the guages will lock up. took to dealership when lock up they took dash out check all wiring found nothing. notice it seemed to do it when it is 80+ degrees. anyhelp would very helpful. thanks. this must no b a very common prob. because my dealer couldnt find anything.

 

I have only heard of 1 VE chain going and that was after it was replaced. I would say due to the number of current high milage VE's without issues and the fact that Nissan has no maintance recomendation(that I am aware of) this is a non-issue. I would just suggest replacing the tensioners because those help prevent rattle in the chain. Besides, to do the chain you have to pull the lower cover, so between that and the cost of the chain why not just swap in a new VE?

 

My KA has 180K on it, has no funny noises and I beat the crap outta it. Ive seen several 240's with over 200K and getting beat on. Or maybe because its a truck KA its built cheaper. if its a mexico made KA, I think they are cheaper made, but I think that the RWD KA's were all made in japan...

~Alex

 

I know bicycle chains stretch after extended use and begin to skip sprockets, I'm assuming the same could happen in a car only the results would be much worse [bent valves]

 

The chain will last the lifetime of the engine,and then some more after that..

 

The chains might last forever but a lot of times the tensioners do not.

 

on ALL the cars I've owned we've only replaced timing chains twice and neither one needed it done.
one we did as preventative maintenance , the other because we were into the motor that far anyways.

 

The consensus seems to indicate that 175-200K is a good time to change tensioners:
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=519135

 

Yep, you guys talking tensioners are right on. I've seen 2 high mileage tensioner failures that take out the corresponding head. I've not seen a failure where it seems to be the chain that caused the issue. Both the failures I witnessed were in the 170K's

If anybody in the 100's are doing VTC's, it might be worth it to inspect the tensioner pads and replace if they are significantly worn. Its easy to do as they are out for the VTC job anyway.

 

so the bottom line, change the tensioners and vtc's. (having a hard time located a pair of new vtc's)(mygreenmax94 true test of time! keep it going!!!

 

The vtc's are typically rebuilt,not replaced..The rebuild kits can be had at the dealership for about $50 per vtc..

New vtc assemblies are major $$$ [about $450 per assembly]

 

+1

 

found this chain for a dohc
http://i9.ebayimg.com/07/i/000/a0/a9/96f2_1_b.JPG