Got my car back yesterday from having the chain guides and tensioners replaced. Just in time as it turns out; the plastic on one of the curved guides had separated from the metal support, but remained attached at one end only. It was just a matter of time before it came loose completely. Otherwise, there were no broken guides or missing pieces. This car has close to 75k on it.
I had the work done by a very experienced (30+ years) and concientious former dealer mechanic (VW then Toyota) who is now independent. The charges were VERY reasonable. I am located in Indiana so if any of our midwestern friends is looking for a mechanic to do chain guides, I highly recommend this mechanic as an alternative to a 2-3 day trip to one of the excellent shops recommended often here on NICO. It saved me a lot of time and money. If anyone is interested, pmail me at multipang@kconline.com and I can put you in touch.
'91 Q45 Chain Guides Done/Midwestern Mechanic
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Q451990
- Moderator
- Posts: 11514
- Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 8:21 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 - 118K, 2022 Toyota 4 Runner, 2004 Frontier M/T - 108K, 2012 Xterra (Mom's), 2023 Rogue (Inlaws)
- Location: Columbia, SC
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The fact that it was the tension side scares me too - since that design didn't really change! Typically it's the slack side that fails. I saw a 91 or 92 with catastrophic failure back in 1998 with 77K so it's a close second. That one had holes in the piston heads and the heads were absolutely mangled... very sad.
Good job on getting them done! After going down that failure road on "Q1" I changed mine at 48K on "Q2." They were perfect, but I didn't want to chance it.
Heath
Good job on getting them done! After going down that failure road on "Q1" I changed mine at 48K on "Q2." They were perfect, but I didn't want to chance it.
Heath
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Q45tech
- Moderator
- Posts: 14365
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:19 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
The problem was known as far back as 1992-1993 [thus the redesign of the parts].There were hundreds out of 40,000 or so that failed soon in warranty.........almost every dealer saw at least one.In Summer of 1996, I was warned that Atlanta alone had seen a multi-dozen of failures at only 2 dealers [who serviced only 2,000 cars combined].............but that was only a 1% failure rate.
In 8 years T3 has replaced around 170 units 80% were bad at the time of opening.
In 8 years T3 has replaced around 170 units 80% were bad at the time of opening.
The straight guides (tension side) were perfect. No cracking whatsoever. When I looked at the separated guide, it seemed like it was a very similar design to the new guide (that I looked at before install), but since the new guide was in the car, I couldn't compare them side by side. I hope that doesn't mean that we still have to worry about guides.
After I inspected the old guides at the shop I told the mechanic to pitch them. I'll give him a call this afternoon and see if I can get them back so I can post a picture.
timatt
After I inspected the old guides at the shop I told the mechanic to pitch them. I'll give him a call this afternoon and see if I can get them back so I can post a picture.
timatt
It does...to take out the slack enough so the chain doesn't jump. The straight leg of the chain goes from the crankshaft, which pulls on it, to the camshaft, which follows the chain. That leg has enough tension on it such that it actually doesn't need a guide--most of the time. If that particular guide fails and falls harmlessly into the oil pan, the engine can still run fine for quite a while. The chain is under tension everywhere, but I think the differences in terminology stem from the locations where the chain is pulled vs. where it's "pushed".
timatt:Congrats!Both on saving your car or $6500 foir a proper replacement engine[plus parts + labor and finidng a local guy to do it right.
Where in Indiana are you?Here is a thread to a long anticipated meet we are having in KY.http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....48021
Also an indianapolis meet is coming up march 8th.
See you there!
Fred...
Where in Indiana are you?Here is a thread to a long anticipated meet we are having in KY.http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....48021
Also an indianapolis meet is coming up march 8th.
See you there!
Fred...
Guide Pics
Below are pictures of the chain guides removed from the '91Q at 75k. The tip has broken off the curved guide on the right allowing it to separate from the metal back.
Guide Pics
You can see that the plastic lug that secures the liner to the metal back has broken off the liner.
Guide Pics
The tension side guides look perfect, very little wear. No breakage or cracking. This is the chain side.
Guide Pics
The back side of the tension side guides.
Re: '91 Q45 Chain Guides Done/Midwestern Mechanic (timatt)
helloi was wondering if you can put me in touch with the mechanic that did your chain guides. i have 91 q45 that need the guides done. how much did he charge? thank you
Re: (DAEDALUS)
Mine went at 35k.DAEDALUS wrote:The curved-guide is on the slack side. I thought I recalled reading about a Q that failed around 48k? A few years ago on the web somewhere.
