Has anybody had any experience with using one of the timing chain kits off of Ebay?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/95-01...mZ200244087934

They claim OEM specs, and if it will save me about $400 off of dealer cost and they are the same quality, then I'm going for it. Thanks in advance.

 

Why are you doing a while timing kit? Really the only thing I would replace on motor reassembly would be the tensioners, and possibly the guides depending on how they look.

 

Thanks for your input.

My chains guides are rattling, so i'm definately replacing those. And the chain itself is past due. In order to do the cam chains i have to pull the gears off of at least one cam on each head. So they're off anyways. I know it means spending extra money on parts I really don't need, but here's my logic.

Kit from Nissan: Chains, guides, tensioners, and waterpump and gaskets = right around $600.

Kit from Ebay: Chains, guides, tensioners, sprockets/gears = less than $300 + water pump = less than $100.

I've never heard of anyone having problems with cam or crank sprockets failing, but if I can get them included at a lower cost, and I have to pull the majority of them anyways, then hey why not. Save a couple hundred and get more new parts. I don't mind the extra work, and i surely don't mind having more new parts. I'm just a little cautious about the quality.

Has anyone tried using one of these kits?

 

Chain past due? They're not a service interval replacement item, just FYI.

Regardless, if you do want to go ahead and do the chains regardless, I'd do straight Nissan.

Where did you get your prices from, a local dealer or Dave B?

 

k.

 

Courtesy nissan. As well as a local nissan dealer. I thought it was a good idea to change the chain out after 160K? Regardless of that, I still have to get in there to change the guide(s) that are rattling. i believe its a 13 hour job by the books, so I'm gonna make it worth my time.

 

Eh, I don't think I've ever seen a 'worn out' chain in a VQ, and I've torn down a few abused and neglected 100k+ motors.

But hey, for the piece of mind I guess it's worth the money to you. It's not a fun endeavor in the car, to say the least.

Definitely get a quote from Dave B though, he'll likely come in cheaper (even with shipping) and he's a great guy to deal with and give business to.

 

There is no service interval for the timing chain. I've never heard of the tensioners on the small chains (intake to exhaust sprocket) rattling, only the main one.

Regardless, it's a very time consuming job, you'd be better served putting in a low mileage motor. Both cheaper (cheaper than oem, I sure wouldn't put non oem timing components in my motor), and less frustrating. You can get a low mileage VQ from a yard for $400 and have it in the car in less than a day. I'd recommend doing that if you really want to make it worth your time. No sense in paying more money and causing yourself more frustration to just end up with a 160K+ motor with a 0 mile timing chain for $600, when you could have yourself a 50k motor for $400.

 

Good point. My only concern with getting a motor from a yard is that even with low mileage, there's no telling how that engine was treated. I know for a fact that my motor is in the best of shape. Being that this is my only car, i'd hate to get an engine, take the time swapping it, and ending up with something that has unforeseen problems.

But it's still an option I will consider. Thanks. I might give Dave B a shout just the same.