Just when you think all is good.....

[HolyShiznit]

Well I went to my friends' tuning shop to get some routine tests done on my car before I go full bore with turboing my KA. Compression came out 175/170/175/180.......which is good. The engine they said was strong albeit there is deterioration on the nuts and bolts and fittings on parts(easily fixable).

The main problem is the hooked up a stephacope(sp?) to my car and my timing chain is *****ed. I never thought I would need to even think about that with only 85k on my odometer. It sucks because I have my turbo/injectors/gauges and was going to buy more stuff but now I have to deal with this. Oh well, I am going to do it myself so any opinions you guys have will really help me. And thanks in advance reading this forum has basically allowed me to build my kit thoughtfully and with trust.

Jon

[huguetpj]

What the hell is a stephacope and how do you know that the chain is bad?

If you need to change the chain take a look at courtesyparts.com

[:: orion ::]

Our timing chains are noisy...

Have you removed the guides??? Both the top one and the side one?

I'd SERIOUSLY doubt that you need to do a timing chain on a KA with less than 150k...

Have you abused it, run it without oil, run sh!tty .69-cent oil in it for 10,000 miles between changes???

Pull the valve cover, take a look (see if everything's all gunked up, or if the guides are stil there) and report back.

I've found that MANY times a "tuning" or "race" shop that doesn;t specifically deal with *your* engine are often wrong.

Later - Brian

[HolyShiznit]

They said it might be the upper guides. Although I really don't see how that could be. I have, obviously, raced my car in auto-X and drag but I keep good care of it. Oil is changed every 3-4k miles with Castrol Syntec since I got the car with 70k on the odo. Funny thing is, when I switched to an open air filter the timing chain sound got a little bit louder but a much more trusted shop(been going to them for years) told me that it was a normal sound of the KA. I trust the owner of that shop a whole lot more because he actually works on mainly Nissans. I don't necessarily want to bother with pulling my cover off and buying a new headgasket just because it will be a pain. Oh and for the record my timing is advanced 4 degrees. I currently run at 24 although it will be dropped abruptly when the turbo goes on.

PS: A stephoscope(sp?) is that thing that doctors use on your heart to listen to the beats. Ya know the ear pieces with the very cold listening part?

[Pornflakes]

You mean a stethoscope...

I'm willing to bet that what they're mistaking as a "bad" timing chain, is just plain old chain guide noise common with all KA engines. Like Orion said, just have the top and side guide removed, and you'll be happy as a clam. Those chains are still cherry at 85K...

[Silent Drifter]

so we dont need the guides?

[HolyShiznit]

Wait so I really don't need to do anything right? Replacing the guides is a waste of time correct since mine should be ok already. Well thanks a lot guys, guess the turbo project will proceed in style. =)

[I am Technoman]

Back when I worked for Nissan a truck came in with a SOHC KA and had not had an oil change in 57,000 miles! and it was still running but the oil pick up tube was clogged and I replaced the tube and dug out the solid oil out of the pan and bolted it all up and sent the guy on his dumb *** way!

[TurboKA37]

^^^OMG that is rediculous. some people just souldnt beable to own there own cars if they're gonna treat them like that!

[huguetpj]

Wait so I really don't need to do anything right? Replacing the guides is a waste of time correct since mine should be ok already. Well thanks a lot guys, guess the turbo project will proceed in style. =)

I think you won't find the guides (new that is) to replace since Nissan discontinued them. They even had a service repair notice to dealers to remove them since they tend to break.

And you don't need a new headgasket if you remove the valve cover...

[WDRacing]

Just my .02 I've never heard of a timing chain taking a crap on a proven motor till well over 150,000 and that was abused. I've snapped belts but they we're all on modded motors.

Just roll down to a different shop and grab a second opinion. If there are any reputable shops around.

WD

[I am Technoman]

If the timing chain is bad on a KA you WILL NO IT!

It does not take a stethoscope to hear a bad KA chain!