Just got a 240 today,----timing chain question

[300bucks]

Today I picked up a 1992 240sx with the twin cam 16v engine that has 93080 miles on it for 300 bucks. Drove it home and it runs great. I noticed later its making an odd noise from the front of the motor. Sounds as if the timing chain is very loose, however the sound isn't constant. What could this be..? I was told today that it could be the chain tensioner? If so how hard is it to change/replace the chain and tensioner and or cost of parts?

Thanks

John III

[NISTECH]

Welcome to Nico John.

Before you go diving right into this project and assuming you have a problem with your chain. Read some of the stuff in 240 technical. Chain issues have been extensivly covered in that forum. When your done reading it all , you will likely know the front of that engine inside and out and know all the problems that can occur with it.

Also where in CA are you located?

[300bucks]

San Francisco... Any recomended shops? I've only been out here for 3 years and this is my first car here.... I'm originally from Pa

[NISTECH]

I dont know of any in the san fran area. I really dont suggest going to independant shops, I would suggest a dealer or a nissan specialist shop. I know the Z garage is down there but dont know if they work on other nissans, they are a pretty reputable shop. I am out in sacramento, couple hours from ya.

How did you come across a 300 dollar 240? It was not advertised was it?

[gniknave]

San Francisco... Any recomended shops? I've only been out here for 3 years and this is my first car here.... I'm originally from Pa

Damn, I bought my 90 240 in San Francisco for $500. I though I was lucky! Congrats on the purchase and welcome to NICO. I'm located in Walnut Creek (about 30 minutes east of SF).

On topic, a shop you might want to go to is Foreign Auto Works in Oakland. I forget the address but the number is (510)547-2050 the owners name is Norman. He's a Nissan certified tech and has been at the location since before I was 9 years old (I'm 23 now). He did work on my Mom's cars (old 84 200sx, and a Jeep Cherokee), in addition to my Q. I highly recommend him. Tell him Evan sent you.

[300bucks]

The car was a friend of a friends, who had it sitting around, the rear hatch was busted out, so the back had water an mold in it and ****, but I gutted it yesterday, and its good to go.. everythign else on it is perfect, but the timing chain noise.. Last night I searched for hours, and I am led to believe that one of the guides is loose or defective. I am going to pull the valve cover in a few min. I read that the top guide can be removed from just under the valve cover? Is this ture..? My problem is that I don't have a garage of my own to work on it, so if I F*%* something up, its going to sit where it stays and get towed away. Thanks for your help and info everyone....

John III

$300 drift car....

[NISTECH]

yes you can gain access to the guide from up top. it is easily accessable as long as its still there. Some had been removed on many of the eary DE engines as the result of a TSB nissan put out.

If you decide to abandon that car let me know I will give ya what you had in it and take it for myself.