Once again, I've just spent about 45 minutes searching and reading on the timing chain tensioner, the timing chain tensioner gasket and the apparent dispute as to whether the gasket truly exists or not.

I've seen photos so I'm pretty sure it's real... the gasket that is.

I've also read posts that include a P/N for the gasket (13070-13UOA) but those P/Ns turn up nothing when entered into Nissan parts supplier's databases and I'm not certain that that number is applicable to a '99.

Does anyone have a real part number for this gasket for a '99?

 

There is no gasket, I just use grey RTV.

 

I know there's P/N right there but like I said, using it yields no results in a parts search ...

 

That part number is correct. Those are all zeros and not the letter O.

13079-31U00

Try putting it in nissanpartszone.com and you will get results

Here is a link to another site:

http://www.courtesyparts.com/gasket-ten-p-248477.html

 

My car's water pump had never been replaced before and I bought the car new so when I replaced water pump few months ago, ther was no gasket, it was sealed with RTV and I have to carefully scrap the old RTV off from the cover and mounting surface.

 

He is referring to a gasket put behind the timing chain tensioner. If you look in the picture above there is a picture of it. I believe you are referring to the access port cover on the timing chain cover that has RTV as a gasket.

Also, I believe our cars didn't originally come with this gasket but nissan created it to fix an issue (maybe the timing chain rattling issue)

 

OK, you are probably right, I certainly didn't see that gasket when I did mine water pump replacement and I don't believe it dropped into lower oil pan since I dropped the oil pan when I was doing it. There is nothing to seal off there so if Nissan created it later, it might be just for the purpose to put a damp in between two metal surfaces to quite timing chain rattling sounds, that would make sense.

 

I'm actually not sure of the origin of the gasket, but apparently it's an important item when going after the clatter problem and/ replacing the tensioner or water pump.

I've been doing some reading and came across a Nissan TSB or two related to TC clatter.

Although the TC guides can have wear issues, apparently a notable contributor to the clatter is lack oil pressure in the tensioner itself. This is caused by oil leak down from the tensioner/inner timing cover interface.

With the use of the gasket, the oil leak down is remedied and the TC noise is, many times, remedied as well.

But many of you guys already know this I'm sure.

Anyway, I'm putting the gasket in.

Metalgod ... much obliged on the P/N clarification. You're correct. With the P/N you cited, I do get search results.

New tensioner and gasket ordered.

 

This is correct. I've done several water pumps on 4th gen Maxima's and never pulled a tensioner off that had a gasket on it. I usually just slap them back in there and have had no issues.