broken timing chain

[cow]

I'm looking at buying a non running 95 240sx. I THINK the timing chain broke, but the owner first told me it "jumped timing" then said the chain broke. Anyway, I was wondering what exactly happens if a timing chain breaks?? I'm guessing it's something like in Hondas where a broken timing belt means a horribly violent, valve bending, piston crunching death of the motor. Does this sound accurate? :P

On the other hand, if the motor is salvagable, how hard is it to replace the chain?

Thanks in advance.

[Nismo1182]

It all the depends on the speed he was going when the chain broke. I dont think KA is a non interferance motor. The timing chain requires the same work as the timing belt on a Honda, but its way easier since its rwd and the motor sits front to back and you dont have a 2 stupid motor mounts in your way:D

[cow]

So it COULD be salvagable huh? That's good. It was a girl driver btw, so she was probably taking it easy. I'm hoping I can fix it and drive it till I get a clip, then sell the motor.. anyway, thanks for your reply.

Anyone else know for certain? Odds of survival? :pface

[1991240xs]

you'd have to check the engine out..see if there's a whole in the side of the block

[cow]

That's what I suspected. :pface Ok, thanks for the info. I'm gonna check it out Thursday. *crosses fingers*

[1dollar240]

Im pretty sure the KA's are interference motors. Meaning if the timing chain broke, chances are the motor is fukked. Could be lucky though and only need a new head because if the valves touched the pistons, they probably won't seat correctly. Pull the valve cover off before you buy it, maybe the guy is wrong and the chain just skipped a few links. Either way, good luck and be careful.

[yellow_jacket]

If the chain jumped, the worst thing that would have happened is the valves would be bent. You would have to pull the head and have a valve job done. So it would definetely be salvageable. By the way, I would rather pull head on a honda than do a chain on a ka.

And if you end up not wanting the car, I may want it so let me know.

[cow]

I figured it would be bent valves. Of course the pistons could be jacked up too. Hum. I'm hoping the timing is just way off or something. I dunno. The suspense is killing me.

Also, is a timing chain that bad? I didn't do the timing belt on my car, heh. Hmm :\ I will get a FSM if I do something like this.. so that will help I guess.

[yellow_jacket]

The thing that makes it a pain is that on the DOHC motors the oil pan needs to come off so that you can unbolt the pickup for the oil pump. Other than that, it isn't too bad.

[XCrunner19420]

Just tell the person the motor has a hole in it and is shot(even if it doesnt), buy for real cheap, then swap time.