has anyone replaced their timming chain and:

How many chains are in this engine? Nissan says 3, etc etc......

 

timing chains don't need to be replaced in our cars unless there's something broken.

theres only one.

 

there are three chains. one main one that runs from the crank then to cylinder head. then there 2 secondary chains one on each cylinder head running the cams.

 

arent they on the same one chain?

 

nope, they have different sizes

 

The timing chain itself doesn't need to be replaced, but doesn't the tensioners need to be replaced?

 

You mean tensioner, if it is worn out, yes. Should be in the stickies.

 

3 chains w/ associated tensioners:

 

Nice Pic Nmex~!

At 68k miles, I'm a LONG-WAY from needing to replace my T-chains, but out of curiosity (since I will NOT be doing this by myself) how much does this open-heart surgery cost??
I've lived thru timing-belt replacements in hondas and toyotas, but never a CHAIN in a Maxima!

thks,
gr

 

No need to change the chain unless it snapped.

Probably a good bit, you pretty much have to pull the motor to do this.

 

might be a dumb question but do these chains get run through the crank case oil or anything along those lines??

 

Timing chain and belt works the same way, the difference, Chain should last the life of the car, unless you're not maintining the car with the maintance. The Belt are run by rubber belt, they do need routine replacement at least every 60k miles. Chain are usually the best to have, thus lowest cost of ownership with the engine rather than replacing belts such as Honda, Toyota. Lately a lot of manufacture are switching back chain, such examples like Subaru, I had one, they were run on belt, til recently they went back to chain, since it's a pain in the butt to replace on a boxer engine.

 

Book time calls for 11.5 hrs

 

I had one of the chains was stretched, but I replaced the whole set(3 chains, sprockets,& tensioners),you can find the set for Approx. $250.00 & the labor is about $700.00 to $850.00.(The Engine will not be pulled out).
note: If one chain or tensioner is bad it will be a good Idea to replace the full set because the labor will be the same).

 

Are you sure that's your problem? All I can tell you is get the same one the factory carry's if you can find the same exact p/n elsewhere for less, get it. But I trust in those Nissan timing chains!!!! I bought an aftermarket Cloyes timing chain set for my D21 Hardbody... Well the factory original was still in good shape @ 272,000 miles, but I was doing a rebuild so I replaced with a good well known U.S. brand(Cloyes). New tensioner, guides, sprockets, and chain. Well once on the road and the engine was broke in I enjoyed taking this truck back and forth to Louisiana and going fishing out in the boondocks...I was coming thru Winnie on I10 running hard with a Mustang and 2 Hondas @ about 125 mph. When reached home in Houston I noticed an loping idle and something was wrong. Well I got about 55,000 miles out of the Cloyes brand and I regret need going with the real deal (Oem Nissan) from the very beginning. Installing an Oem timing kit would be the best thing if the chain is the problem, but,.... I would check out those tensioners first cause more than likely that's the culprit Good luck.

 

so u never need to replace these not even with 150k miles??

 

Not even with (insert number here) miles. When they said the life of the engine, that doesn't mean that at 150k they magically die.

 

Then I guess I won't have to replace them. i always thought that they were supposed to be changed, but will see. Thanks to all.

 

Yeah great pic! Where is the dreaded TC tensioner anyway, is it that dark brown/maroon box on the middle right side on the chain?

Sorry if its obvious, just never saw this pic of the 3.5 before.

 

No, that's just another guide. Here: