Help out a long time member, but noob KA24DE owner

[r34 gtr]

So I have been a KA owner for two days. I just bought a 98 Frontier king cab, 5spd 4wd. It has 118k miles on it. Ive got to say, I am impressed with the truck, and very happy with my purchase. Its the official S13 support vehicle!

Anyway, on to my question:

When I start the truck cold, the timing chain rattles for maybe 1-2 seconds. Is that normal? I have never owned a timing chain vehicle, save one e30 BMW but the timing chain in that car was always loud as hell. I know the KA has issues with the timing chain guides, but I was unsure if they had addressed that issue later in the KA's career. If I need to replace them, I would like to do it as soon as possible.

Overall, I'm pretty impressed with the KA. Its fairly peppy and has enough oomph for trail riding. I actually took it wheelin' the first night I had it! Last night I drove down to school (~200 miles) and it cruised right along at 70mph. I only got about 17mpg, but my tires are under inflated and it was my first time driving it on the highway. After I get over the learning curve, I should be getting closer to 21, or so I have read.

Thanks! I'm excited about joining the ranks of KA owners!

Edit: Here's a picture to appease the NICO gods.


Modified by r34 gtr at 5:58 PM 10/19/2009

[Shabbernigdo]

if i rember right the timing chain tensioners are hydrolic so it may take a few seconds for the oil pump to build pressure and tighten them up.

[r34 gtr]

Aaah, that would explain things. Thank you!

[Wc240]

takes a few to get oil pressure. when you hear it for like 4-5+ seconds, then you should worry

[Bigvinnie]

Tensioners may be broken.It is wise to change out the entire timing chain assembly. Also check your oil pump it is assembled as part of the lower front cover.

Personally I tend to use a blend of 10w-30, and 10w-40 for older KA engines. the ring lands are thin, an the pump seems to build more pressure this way.

If it's all new stuff ka's love 10w-30.

KA's are good to run into the ground at 200,000+ miles if the timing chain and tensioners are taken care of.

While your at it install some 1991-1994 nissan 240sx OBD1 cams 240/248. Then that thing will fly!!!

[r34 gtr]

Yeah, I don't want to modify this engine at all. Sorry. Ive got a CA18 that is all modded-the-hell-out for those purposes. It is also broken (big surprise) so I have a whole lot of work ahead of me fixing it. I would like to keep my KA as reliable and stock as possible.

I guess I will maybe try and pull the valve cover later this week and check it out in there. Ive got to go to the stealership for a wiper arm and an air filter anyway. Its really clean inside though, no gunk and you can see that it has been well-maintained.

[Rev_D21]

Lazy rocker arms could be causing this too. They are oil fed.

[seang]

Silly Rev, DE's have non-hydraulic bucket tappets.

But you are right about the SOHC's hydraulic rocker arms.

[Rev_D21]

You know, you're right! It's been ages since I have owned a DE. It's the E's that are guilty of the rocker noise.

[r34 gtr]

It only happens when its cold. I think the issue is that the engine is to eager to start, because when I turn the key the engine is fired up before it completes the initial rotation. So fast that it doesn't have time to build oil pressure when its colder outside. It never happens on days over about 50 degrees. Sound like a reasonable explanation?

I do get a little noise when I rev it up on the interstate; a little rattle when I am rowing it through the gears and shifting at ~4000 rpm. Normal?

[seang]

It makes sense that the engine is eager to start like that, it EFI. Sometimes I shut my engine down and just re-start it so the oil pump gets primed, it's no big deal. I don't go through starters, either.

On the interstate when you hear the clatter, are you at full engine load? Mine usually clatters a little bit while the engine is wound up a bit but at part throttle. Full throttle is too violent for the valves to clatter around lazily (the exeption to this is too much valve lash).

Your truck also has the solid tappets that can only be adjusted with shims. IDK what the service interval is for the DOHC KA valves.

Timing chain tensioners love clean oil.

[r34 gtr]

Partial load is where I hear the rattling. You're right, its too busy at full throttle to clatter like that. I may get a feeler gauge out there and check the tappet clearance, but its a 120k mile KA, so it probably just needs oil changes for the next 80k miles - which, might I add, it will probably never see.

Clean oil is the only thing it will ever see.