98 nissan maxima engine knock on startup

[vitalik]

Anyone had or has the same problem...??? It sounds like crank or piston, seems like oil drains down into the pan and it starts dry...It has to sit with an engine off for about 15 min, and it does not happen every time...Runs nice and smooth othervise! Did install modified gasket on lower timing chain tensioner as suggested by nissan, it did sound like the chain is making all that noise, but I was wrong i guess...

Will appreciate all inputs! Thanks...

[maxhopper]

It could be one of the timing chain tensioners, but they only need replace every 200k miles or so, if well maintained.

If the oil is taking a long period of time to get back into the pan, then that would suggest a restriction in the oil galleys. That could be a sign of gunk in the engine.

How long have you had the car?

What type of oil do you use?

How often do you do oil changes?

[vitalik]

Hi! Thanks for reply...It has 230K, oil changed every 5K, use Castrol only...I own it for about a year, have all service records from the previous owner, so gunk is least likely...I did suspect timing chain tensioners, there are two of them, lower was checked and serviced with new (nissan modification) gasket, upper unknown, since it is a lot of work to get to and pretty expensive...Will try an oil filter maybe with flowback valve, don't know what else!? Any idea?