1994 Nissan 240SX Convertible Timing chain

[pvue]

I have a 1994 Nissan 240SX Convertible and the other day I hear a nocking or tapping within the header. I'm wondering if this could be a timing chain that is tapping on the valve cover or something else. Also, another question is regarding acceleration when start out in drive cold. It doesn't seem like it's getting enough gas. I've changed sparkplugs and fuel filter but that doesn't help. The weird thing is that when after couple minutes of driving, it is fine on accelerating but when it comes to a stop, it is shaking like it's going to die. I've looked at the RPM and when that happens, it dropped below 700rpm. It will then go up again and then it is fine. I'm thinking it could be the fuel regulator or the fuel pump but not sure. If anyone has experience these two issues and how to fix them, please let me know. Thanks.

Patrick.

[94_240sx]

1. Remove upper chain guide first and see what happens if you haven't done it. Mine has been removed, but this is where you will find it. Yes, I pulled my valve cover just to take this picture for you. j/k



2. IACV is the first thing that you should check. It's very common on KA. You must use intake cleaner, not carb cleaner.

"First the main cause of the idle issue is a dirty IAC valve. The bigger one on the right goes from your intake to the IAC valve. If you pull it off while your car is running it will die after a second or two. When your car is off, pull the hose off but leave it still on the nipple enough to seal. Go start your car and then come and using one hand pull the hose off and with the other hand keep your idle up by opening the throttle. With your now free hand get the bottle of intake cleaner and spray some of it into the IAC tube. The car will stumble but make sure to keep it from dieing or you will have to put the tube back on and start the process all over again. Repeat this process several times, I used about half the can. Re-install the tube and take the car for a drive! I drove for about 20 minutes and everything was fine. I did this about a month ago and still have no idle problems." by Matt from z ilvia.com

[AZhitman]

Welcome aboard, Patrick!

Make sure you put your Convertible in the Registry!!!

[DirftKing102]

I had the same problem. My car wasn't starting and everything worked fine. Since im 17 and just learning about my vert, i asked my mom to figure out what was wrong with my car. She said you need to push on the gas pedel a lot to give the car gas so it would start. So basically turn the key to on and try and start it but while doing this, push on the gas pedal a bunch probably 2-5 times should do it before it starts. If that doesnt work then i don't know what to tell ya. Hopefully this helps

[pvue]

It's not that I can't start it. It starts fine. Just that when put in drive while the engine is not yet warm enough, it kinda hesitate. Don't want to flood with gas by pumping the gas pedal multiple times and then start it. That is a no, no as far as I'm concern.

[pvue]

AZHITMAN,

I will put it on once I get a picture or two taken.

[pvue]

94_240SX,

Is the knocking sound problem on my vert that came from the header the problem with the timing chain tapping on the valve cover? I'm just don't know if it is or some other thing.Thanks for the 2nd question. I will give it a try this weekend.

[94_240sx]

94_240SX,

Is the knocking sound problem on my vert that came from the header the problem with the timing chain tapping on the valve cover? I'm just don't know if it is or some other thing.Thanks for the 2nd question. I will give it a try this weekend.

No, it's hitting CHAIN GUIDE, not valve cover. Mine has been removed, so arrow shows where it used to be. Trust me. It's a common problem for KA and even Nissan recommended removing it.

[DirftKing102]

oh, well then i have no clue. Hopefully you get the problem straightened out

[vertbish]

Well, when I went to buy my car the guy told me I needed to buy a timing chain kit bc mine did the same thing only it was terribly loud! (thats how I got it cheap too! ) MY bf told me the tensioner was probably gunked up... I sprayed Aerokroil on it and worked it free, and whaddia know! Problem solved, besides the fact that the top guide was laying on the chain! Im soooo glad I didnt drive it home!

So ya might want to check and make sure your top tensioner isnt the same way!

[pvue]

Vertbish,

I open up the head valve cover and notice that the tension of the timing chain was kinda loose. Does anyone know how to tighten the timing chain?

[pvue]

94_240SX,

After I did what you told me to do, I looked at the timing chaing and it's kinda loose. I didn't know how to tighten it so I install everything back and it still sounds like the same. It is not as tight as the one on your picture. I think it is do to that it is kinda loose. How do I tighten it up?

[ishkabibble]

zerothread?id=105618

Check your tensioners.

[94_240sx]

zerothread?id=105618

Check your tensioners.

aarrggg...I'm so sorry to hear that. Looks like your problem is more serious than I thought. I also had tapping noise, and it went away after I removed upper chain guide. In many cases, noise goes away after removing upper chain guide. Sorry, I guess you have to remove front engine cover to fix the problem. It's not easy to get to them as you can see below and the link ish posted. I wonder how hard it's going to be to replace chain while you are at it. Chain is already loose too.

[vertbish]

My tensioner was quite obvious it was stuck. It wasnt putting ANY tension on the chain. You can tell if this is the problem or not, Just take the top cover off. I made the mistake of taking the whole damn thing off cause my dad decided to get in and "help" and now my car leaks oil like hell.

[94_240sx]

My tensioner was quite obvious it was stuck. It wasnt putting ANY tension on the chain. You can tell if this is the problem or not, Just take the top cover off. I made the mistake of taking the whole damn thing off cause my dad decided to get in and "help" and now my car leaks oil like hell.

Do you think it's possible to loosen the tensioner without taking the cover off? Maybe he can spray WD-40 a lot and try to remove the gunk to loosen it up. According to the write up, you have to move the tensioner back and forth to loosen it after spraying wd-40, but you might be able to do that without removing the cover.

[ishkabibble]

Looks like you could get a piece of flat bar covered in some lint-free cloth down there to push on it.

[jamesblonde82]

It's not that I can't start it. It starts fine. Just that when put in drive while the engine is not yet warm enough, it kinda hesitate. Don't want to flood with gas by pumping the gas pedal multiple times and then start it. That is a no, no as far as I'm concern.

you can't flood a car with fuel injection, and should never need to step on the gas to start one.

[ishkabibble]

you can't flood a car with fuel injection

Yes, you can. I think you meant to attach a qualifier to that statement, though.

and should never need to step on the gas to start one.

If too much fuel is in the engine, flooring the gas opens the throttle all of the way and lets the maximum amount of air into the engine. This can help it start. I need to do this once in a while since something (probably the IACV) is not working right on my car.

[pvue]

94_240sx,

Do I spray WD40 right into the timing chain when the top valve is opened? I guess the only way to tighten the timing chain is to go through the steps to take out the distributor and front cover right? I spray some intake cleaner into the IAC valve and will let you know if it works. Also, I mess up one of the screw when I tighten the top valve cover. I hope that didn't mess it up.

[GoinTopless240]

Hey pvue,Welcome aboard... If I remember correctly the tensioner is oil pressure driven ( anyone .. anyone ) You might be best replacing it.. and do the timing chain at the same time and take out the top guide.... and lower one ?? sorry stopped worrying about it awhile back... there is a "SEARCH" button on top and if you hit it and search about the timing chain on the KA I'm sure there is at least a few topics about it that will help you more. The broken bolt on the valve cover needs to be taken out and have new one put in... If you search about the "guides" you will find a DIY with the correct torque and sequence to tighten them in... Good luck and keep us posted on your progress..

PS. You fuel pump has a strainer on it as well (go into trunk and pull up carpet and you can access it from there). Fuel pump may be getting a bit weak and may be ready to retire. Just a thought.

[vertbish]

Im 99.9% sure the timing tensioner is spring loaded. Everyone says to replace them, but if your going to replace the tensioner I wouldnt do it half-assed. Might as well get the whole timing kit and do it right. Thats my opinion tho... that would be just MY luck if I didnt do it "right" the first time.

[pvue]

94_240SX,

I spray half of the intake cleaner into the IAC valve and it still didn't help with the idle problem. In fact, it is worst than before. I'm going to change the distributor rotor and cap this weekend and see if that will help. If not, fuel pump is next.

I am also planning to buy a timing chain kit and replace the whole timing chain unit but first would like to open the front cover where the distributor is to see if the problem is with the tensioner gummed up. Will let you all know.

[94_240sx]

Sorry to hear that. Whatever you do, go from cheap to expensive fix. I'd also check the timing. I had a similar issue with my dd mx-3 and timing was the cause.

[pvue]

My tensioner was quite obvious it was stuck. It wasnt putting ANY tension on the chain. You can tell if this is the problem or not, Just take the top cover off. I made the mistake of taking the whole damn thing off cause my dad decided to get in and "help" and now my car leaks oil like hell.

Vertbish,

I'm having the same problem now where my car leaks oil more than it used to. The only thing I did was removed the top chain guide and put back the valve cover. What did you do to fix your oil leaks or you haven't got that fix yet?

[94_240sx]

Vertbish,

I'm having the same problem now where my car leaks oil more than it used to. The only thing I did was removed the top chain guide and put back the valve cover. What did you do to fix your oil leaks or you haven't got that fix yet?

vertibish's dad took off the front engine cover and didn't seal it well when he put the cover back on. That's why it's leaking. Yours might be different. Common place on KA is front crank main seal. Or you didn't bolt the valve cover evenly. You have to follow a certain order and torque.