95 ALTIMA HELP ON TIMING CHAIN?

[mblack18]

My wife's altima has developed a nasty rattling noise that I guess is the timing chain. I believe it to be unsafe to drive, so my question is how difficult a job am I looking at and would I be better off getting a rebuilt engine? I'm not a pro, but I'm not a rookie either. The car has 139,000 miles on it, and I don't have a lot of money at the moment, of course!! I'm really at a loss, because I need to get it fixed asap. Please help!!

[driftingmy240sx]

it is common for the upper chain guide to make noise on that engine. the guide can be removed with no adverse effects. its easy to remove as its only held on with 2 10mm bolts and easily accessed with the valve cover removed. i would try removeing this guide first then seeing if the noise is still present.

to replace the chains (plural) the upper oil pan needs to be removed to allow for the oil pump to come out. chain alignment is pretty easy. if you do replace the chains i recommend new tensioner and guides along with an idler gear as well.

[mblack18]

Thanks for the quick response!! I'll try removing the guide as you said and see what happens. Thanks again for the help!!

[NM50]

BTW if you do have to install a chain set use the C/M guides as they are changed by Nissan to a metal backing,thus reducing breakage by being all plastic.

[mblack18]

WELL, I TOOK THE GUIDE OUT AND STILL HAVE THE NOISE, SO I GUESS ITS THE TIMING CHAIN. BEFORE DOING THAT LET ME ASK THIS, COULD THE IDLER PULLEY BE CAUSING SOME OF THIS NOISE? I PLAN ON GETTING A NEWER CAR IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS, SO I'M TRYING TO ELIMINATE SIMPLER THINGS THAT COULD BE ADDING TO THE NOISE. RIGHT NOW, IT SOUNDS LIKE A "DIESEL" ENGINE.

[3Q Jay]

no need to shout.

how was the upper chain tension? if there was any slack between the cams, you might be needing to replace tensioner. there is a second guide on the lower side of exhaust cam that can also be removed if there is 'slap' going on. but then i would at least change your upper chain and tensioner.

the ps/alt/wp idler does go out at about your mileage, and you could easily check with a stethoscope. best (mandatory?) to remove the right side motor mount to get access.

[driftingmy240sx]

the dle pulley will make a growling noise that will change as you turn the steering wheel at idle speeds.