Chain Guide Removal Side effects?

[Emmo]

Hi all, I just took both chain guides off my S13 to rid myself of the notorious rattle, and everything went smoothly except for stripping a valve cover bolt. My question is, when I started the car up after taking the guides off, the idle seemed a little strange, it now idles much lower than it used to, is this normal or did I throw something out of whack when I put the distributor back on? On the plus side, the engine feels stronger somehow, don't know why but it does. Any speculation is greatly apprecciated. Thanks.

[180fan]

you need the guides. One puts tension on the chain and keeps the chain from eating a hole into a chamber for the water pump which would mix your oil and coolant. Put them back.

[JNM240]

Agreed. You can only remove the UPPER chain guides on the DOHC. If this is a SOHC our you removed the lower chain guide, you made a big mistake.

[Emmo]

Hmm, I swear I've read multiple places that BOTH guides weren't needed and Nissan themselves sent out Factory Service Bulletins to that extent. As for my exact engine, it's a '92 so no SOHC. I didn't take off the tensioner, just the upper and lower chain guides. If I've still done something wrong, let me know. Thanks.

[Emmo]

After freaking out initially, I'm thinking maybe I used the wrong terms in describing my situation. I took off both UPPER chain guides, the one right on top when you take the valve cover off and the lower UPPER one that you have to take off the front cover to get to. If I'm still in trouble let me know, and if not, feedback on the idle would be great. Thanks again.

[Red coupe]

Their was a TSB from nissan saying remove both upper chain guids on the ka24de. I have viewed it with my own eyes and if anyone REALLY needs I can get a copy of it. It basicly just shows the diagrams from the FSM and says that the two upper chain guids aren't needed.

Im gonna guess you didnt use a timing light to verify the timing after reassembly...

[180fan]

Upper chains, you don't need, but the lower ones are crucial.

[struckinc]

the tsb tells you to take BOTH upper guides off and throw them away....DO NOT remove anything behind the lower cover....sounds like your timing may be slightly off from the reinstallation of the dist.