front cover+.... (ka24de)

[3Q Jay]

so about a month ago i noticed a few leaks. obvious ones were pcv baffle box and p/s suction hose- which i changed, and all is happy there. at the time i started stressing about the o-ring and crank seal Chris had some suggestions. I was pretty sure then and now that the crank seal is not leaking, but having cleaned everything up, and almost 1000 miles later, there is definitely an oily film on the lower part of the front cover, and part of the aluminum pan as well as a drop or two coming off the end of the 55y oil filter. filter is tight. so, i'm thinking the o-ring.

i've seen a lot of good info in the searches, here's what I'm thinking:dealer for the lower cover (o-ring and crank seal) while they are in there, have the lower chain tensioner and guides done. question 1: it looks from my fsm and some parts diagrams that the lower chain could not be removed and replaced at that stage of disassembly (would have to remove upper cover and chain) -right? opinions on changing the guides tensioner but not chain? car has 126k, always maintianed.question 2: it also looks like i could do the upper chain and tensioner myself (no offense to the master techs, I'm just budget limited--and I'm fair with a wrench) by only removing the valve cover and upper cover? i.e. I could do this later after the o-ring and lower guides work withoout having to re-remove the lower cover?this is on an altima, btw, so the lower cover will NOT be fun.

question 3: i've heard about a re-design on a lower guide (not sure if the one with two bolts, or the one next to the tensioner with the single bolt...which is actually called the slack side or so I've read). does anyone know if a 03/95 production date would fit into the redesign or original design ?(i've read lotsa horror stories about the vh45de in early q's) and wondering if i'm on borrowed time....

long post, i know thanks for the thoughts!

[180fan]

If they're going to be mucking about down there, have em change the chain if you haven't done so already.

1. The lower chain cannot be removed without removal of the upper chain, you are correct.2. yeah you can do the upper chain by yourself, just follow the FSM, and remember the orientation of the cams, punchmarks on the various sprockets, and so on if you're only going to do the upper chain job. Yeah you can do just the upper without too much drama, but like I said, if they're going to do the lower, they might as well do the upper. They're going to ream you for doing the lower in the first place. Might as well get reamed for just a few more bucks if that and have them do it so you don't have to muck about with any of it.

I believe the redesign was for the upper chain on the DOHC motors...

[s13sr20chris]

if you are considering getting the lower chain job done at the dealer the go all out. once you have spent hundreds, whats another $50 or so? get the chain, guides, tensioner, and o rings. request to have the old parts so you can see the difference.

[3Q Jay]

thanks Chris and 180 for the replies.not to argue, just emphasising that the concern leading to all this work is the o-ring. I have no reason to suspect the chains are bad.i appreciate the economy of scale and i'll probably do it all, just for peace of mind....but inherently- do these ka chains break, or stretch to the point of jumping?

also, thoughts on re-usung sprockets? that looks like another $125 at wholesale for the 4.....

[s13sr20chris]

they are not known for failure but a rough cost/benifit analysis would be towards replacing chains, guides, tensioner, and seals but reusing the sprockets.

[3Q Jay]

got it. thanks as always for your time!

Jay

[3Q Jay]

I had the job done yesterday.

Dealer supplied O-ring, crank seal, and the two cross-memeber 'motor' mounts [add-on once they were in there].

I supplied the 2 chains, 2 tensioners, both lower guides, and the v/c gaskets [yes, i talked with them in advance and they were cool with me bringing my own parts--nissan parts of course!].

The lower tension side guide (the straight one --early all plastic design) was not broken (whew!). The new one has the metal backing.

I was pleased with the amount of wear/varnish present after 127,500 miles. imo, the chains and guides could have easily gone 200k, but I still like the peace of mind.

The tech and service manager commented on how clean [mechanically] this beast is after 10 years and 127k.

If I can figure out how to link to the photos, I'll do so.

http://nissaninfiniticlub.net/...16063

Modified by GQ Jay at 2:27 PM 2/19/2005
Modified by GQ Jay at 2:28 PM 2/19/2005

[s13sr20chris]

hey, you better take good care of that cherry altima! shes doing well so far.