95 Maxima with 255K miles, I get little or no chain rattle when its warm or hot outside. I get it moslty in cold weather, then goes away once engine warmed up. It just surprised me how quiet it is lol, Is this normal?

 

Cold oil doesn't flow well, and the valve train is the last to get oil. What you are hearing is not TC tensioner but valve train noise.

 

Maybe so ...

But I have read a number of articles indicating that based on the tensioner design (i.e. being operated based on oil flow and oil pressure) that on cold startup the tensioner plunger may not protude to its full extent thereby not apply the optimum pressure on the chain guide ... resulting in less than optimal chain tension and clatter until the necessary oil pressure is attained.

If you're only getting clatter for a short period of time right after cold start up, I'm saying don't concern yourself too much about it.

I'm pretty sure that the vast majority of us experience the very same thing.

 

Is it only at start up, or does it go for more than say 5 seconds?

Might also be a faulty anti drain back valve in the oil filter. Try a different filter next time, the better ones have silicone rather that nitrile and will hold better when cold.

 

I had a noise that sounded like tapping coming from under the valve cover around the timing chain area on the I30 somewhere around 230,000 miles. It would only occur in the mornings or after the car had been sitting for several hours. After I had the timing chain tensioner replaced, it solved the issue. Somehow I remember a TSB being issued for a timing chain tensioner issue.

Do consider the car had over 230,000 miles on it when I replaced the tensioner and the previous owner was not the best about keeping the oil changed. So I could see how the tensoner plunger could have been well worn at that point.

I would try the oil filter first though.

 

Thanks for the replies guys when its cold outside the chain rattle can be heard until car fully warms up then goes away. But warm days it May rattle for 5 seconds and quit. And this is when I first start the car for the day. I have been getting oil.changes from precisión tune with no name brand filter so next oil change i will do.myself.