Anyone w/ Timing Chain Kit Disasters?

[MaxType 240]

I've started to buy internals and bought a Topline timing chain kit. One member on KA-T.org had his top tensioner cap "blow off."

Is this an isolated event or has anyone else heard horror stories of Topline products?

Don't want to spend $2800 in hardcore engine internals and have everything fail b/c of a timing chain kit...

Jesse

[slakker]

I dont really understand what happened. What cap came off. The top tensioner has the spring in it. I believe they do have some sort of cap on them, but it isn't needed as the tensioner isn't driven by oil pressure.

[BadMojo]

I believe they do have some sort of cap on them, but it isn't needed as the tensioner isn't driven by oil pressure.

Are you quite sure about that? I know there's a spring in that tensioner, but I was pretty sure that oil pressure also played a big role in the functioning of a tensioner.

At any rate, I wouldn't **** around with mystery brand stuff when it comes to timing components. If you've spent that much on building an engine, get OE chains, tensioners, etc.

[574-240sx]

I bought a cheap timing chain set from advanced auto. One of the tensioners failed within the first month on my last 240. I'm going to buy OEM next time.

[slakker]

I really dont believe so, atleast on the SOHC. I was told on these forums that it wasnt so for that car. But it would explain why I can't get my chain to stop rattling and it is because their isnt enough tension in the tensioner. I replaced the spring with a really heavy duty spring and it quieted down until the spring lost some of its tension. Now it rattles again. The guides are ok though. The other reason why I dont think it needs oil pressure is because mine doesnt have a cap right now. If it relied on their being pressure then when the cap came off the engine oil light would come on because the system would lose pressure through the hole. No oil light. If I am wrong please tell me, because I am sick of having the coolest car in town until you get close enough to hear it.

[MaxType 240]

The tensioner relies on pressure.

Well, turns out the kit is called "Inner Fire."

Here's reference info for future searches on Inner Fire: http://innerfire.trustpass.alibaba.com/ http://itrademarket.com/innerf...ofile http://www.innerfiregear.com http://www.allproducts.com.tw/....html

I'm gonna stick w/ it for now, if anything fails, I'll be sure to post.

Jesse

[slakker]

I believe you are wrong and I started the other topic to make sure. There are in fact passages on the back side of the tensioner. They are oil fed for lubrication only. Can you offer proof. It really isn't that i dont believe you, it is just that I dont want to spend 8 more hours removing everything to get to it . Change it and have it be the same. thanks

[Jookmasta]

how did the timing chain kit work out for ya?

[pmkls2]

actually the tensioner DOES rely on oil pressure for tension and if you are runing a high performance engine at high RPM's and/or high oil pressure it is possible for oil pressure to pop out the plunger in the end of the tensioner. NISMO actually offers a special tensioner with a retaining pin in it for this purpose. As for aftermarket parts, I WOULD ABSOLUTELY NOT USE THEM. The aftermarket guides are not as strong as the factory ones and are prone to failure. Do yourself a favor and go OEM with pieces like that.

[amolao]

I bought an Auto Zone kit about 2 years ago, and starting rattling....this time I got the OEM one and not taking chances. After close examination tensioners in both kits appear to be almost the same in quality. But the chain does look cheap on the Auto Zone one.....

[pmkls2]

its not the tensioners that are different in the kits but rather the guides that tend to be too weak in the aftermarket ones