97 nissan hardbody timing chain issue

[g3d97nissan]

hey, I have a problem with my 97 2.4 hardbody timing chain issue second chain within 3000 miles...replace chain, tensioner, cam/crank gear and guides 1 month ago everthing new still have rattle in front housing now it rattles only when accelerated between 2500-3500 rpms can oil pump be a possible corporate please help

Modified by g3d97nissan at 12:12 AM 3/28/2009
Modified by g3d97nissan at 12:16 AM 3/28/2009

[160Z]

Are you sure it's the chain? Chain slap usually get more pronounced at higher RPMs. It you're sure it's the chain, then check if you can adjust your guides. I'm not sure what motor you've got but on the Z24 the curved guide on the right can be adjusted a few millimeters to take up some slack.

[RT]

sure it is chain and not detonation on cheap or too low octane gas? may be timing issue, can also make it detonate under a load in that very rpm range. try a full tank of high octane gas and see if it helps. cheap bad or low octane gas can cause predetonation and sound a lot like a rattle from motor. gas up with high octane too be sure, cheaper than parts stuff and you would be surprised how many times I here guys explain predetonation as a chain type rattle.

[RT]

also it could be bearing in water pump.

[Rev_D21]

A weak oil pump could cause all kinds of noises since so much is oil psi dependent. Take a long screw driver, hold the handle up to your ear then touch various points on the engine while it is running using the tip. Find where the noise is the worst, that should help you pin point. Be sure to mind any moving parts so you don't injure yourself.

[g3d97nissan]

thanks for all the replies, use only mid grade gas with occasional fuel inj. cleaner remove all belts have remove oil fill cap pin point the problem to be still within timing chain, i have the ka24e eng. is there any adjustment on chain guides for this particular eng. i also use 10w40 oil could it be a factor?

[NissanHunter]

I buy and sell a ton of hardybodys and 90 % of them have at least one broken timing chain guide. Nissan in all their wisdom used a nylon guide on the drivers side of the timing chain and a steel guide on the passengers side. A factory Nissan oil filter is equiped with a valve in it that prevents the oil from dumping out of the filter when shut off. That pressure is what keeps the tension on the timing chain. When an aftermarket oil filter is used, it will dump the oil out of the filter when the engine is shut off. When you start the engine back up there will be slack in the timing chain and the chain will slap the guides for about a second until the oil pressure is built back up and the slack is removed from the chain. This will eventually break the guides. That is why you hear the infamous rattle on start up in a lot of the Nissan truck with the 2.4 motors.

I would bet that if your truck has been run with an aftermarket oil filter at least one of the guides is broken. You can take the valve cover off and take a flashlight and look down and tell if the guide is broken. Usually the botton half breaks off first and then it will eventually break off the top half. If your guides are not broken, get a Nissan Filter on it immediatley and you should not need to replace the timing chain.

What will also happen is the timing chain will rub on the timing chain cover and eventually wear a hole in the water jacket and then all your coolant gets dumped into the motor and the truck overheats. Most people just assume it's a blown head gasket when in fact its the timing chain.

FYI all the newer replacement timing chains come with steel guides to help this problem but I have seen new timing chain guides get broken soon after being replaced due to the owner using the aftermarket oil filters.

[RT]

Thanks for oil filter info, Will it help to go back to nissan filter even though I have been using frams? cannot hurt I am sure but will it help? Mine has that start up rattle for 10 seconds or so. <aybe mine is not broken yet hopefully.

[NissanHunter]

I would get one on it right away and not even wait for the next oil change. On the second start you should be able to tell a difference, the first start will sound the same due to no oil pressure with changing the filter.

If your guide is broken the damage is done and it will still rattle. If only 1/2 of the guide is broken off it should help it hang on a little longer. Pull the valve cover off and shine a light and you will be able to tell. The guide will fall into the oil pan and not hurt anything but you need to get it fixed before it wears a hole in the timing cover and then dumps the coolant and you overheat.

Advanced Auto actually stocks the timing covers and they are about $90. Nissan wants over $200. I have welded a few but you have to clean the cover and inspect it for hairline cracks that are very hard to see. I missed a crack on one and after getting the truck back together it had a leak and you could see the coolant seep out of the crack and eventaully form a drip. I would just put on a new cover for a piece of mind if one ever gets a pin hole in it.

Replacing the timing chain books out at about 11 hours for labor and that's a pro mechanic doing it. That's a lot of cash just for labor!

[g3d97nissan]

thanks for oil filter info, been using WIX filter will be replace with nissan oem filter