Hello All, Last monday I was driving my maxima when I start hearing a knocking sound, didn't know what it was, so I pulled over to check under the hood, but can't tell anything weird, so I start the car again the noise continue, since I was like 1/2 mile from home I drove it back, when I called the mechanic he inspect it and told me the timing belt tensioner was broken and chances were I probably damage some valves if I drove it like that. but he won't know until he replace the tensioner.

After replacing the tensioner, confirmed the worst, engine is making that sputtering noise and I was told by the mechanic my valves are damaged, he quoted a $850 job with parts and labor.

My question is, is it worth doing a repair on the valves, or should I go with a engine replacement? I replaced my engine with a JDM before for a gasket problem and was running great before this happened. If the valve job is done properly, should it work just as good as it was before, what is your experience on this kind of problems.

Thank you all for your input.

 

$850 isn't too bad and doing the valve job will be cheaper than swapping in another used motor. Unless you know for sure the used motor is in good running condition I would repair what you have.

 

I agree. The same thing happen to Cmax03, but he unfortunately wasn't able to drive his back home. If the job is done right it should run just as good if not a lil better than before. Fix what you got. Its less work and money in the end than replacing the entire set up.