It seems my beloved 240sx has developed timing chain problems. There's an arrhythmic hollow metallic sound at start-up while idling. Once the car warms up, it idles quietly. The sound ominously comes from the front/top of the valve cover.
I had a Nissan tech listen to the engine, but unfortunately it wasn't making the noise (since I had just gone all the way to the dealership to order my FSM and the engine was warm). I've got an appointment to bring it back on Wednesday to let them diagnose the problem.
I'm 99% certain it's timing chain related, as it sounds too loud to be valve lash out of spec.
Here's the kicker...the dealer quoted $1500 to replace the timing chain...i'm not sure exactly which parts that includes. I was too utterly stunned to ask them.
I know the complete kit from Courtesy-Nissan is only $400, I just don't know if I can do the job myself.
Anyway...just wanted to vent. I've been sleeping the day away since all this happened.
My Baby is sick!
Hmmm...was just looking at the FSM for an SR engine. I'm assuming the timing change procedures are reasonably similar to a KA. It really doesn't look too bad.
It looks like it'll take a freakin' month to get everything done, but the steps themselves aren't complicated.
~$400 in parts + hours and hours of my time is sure as hell better than $1500 less in my bank account.
I've got my '93 240SX FSM on order, so I can get started as soon it comes in.
Do you think I should still have Nissan diagnose the problem to make sure 100% that it's a timing chain problem?
It looks like it'll take a freakin' month to get everything done, but the steps themselves aren't complicated.
~$400 in parts + hours and hours of my time is sure as hell better than $1500 less in my bank account.
I've got my '93 240SX FSM on order, so I can get started as soon it comes in.
Do you think I should still have Nissan diagnose the problem to make sure 100% that it's a timing chain problem?
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Former_240_s14
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When I bought my car I got that done and some other things....let me share the bill with you.........
Timing Chain gears, rails, tensoner, chain, chain guide
Water Pump
Oil Pan Gasket
w/labor it ran me $1,016. It was 13.5 hours of labor for everything and the water pump only cost me an extra 60, and they recomend you do that when you get your timing chain redone!
Timing Chain gears, rails, tensoner, chain, chain guide
Water Pump
Oil Pan Gasket
w/labor it ran me $1,016. It was 13.5 hours of labor for everything and the water pump only cost me an extra 60, and they recomend you do that when you get your timing chain redone!
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nissanrcer240
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Are you sure that meaningless piece that stops the chain from hitting the valve cover might have broke. Take off your valve cover and check, shouldn't take more than 5 minutes. It never hurts to check. I had that piece beak off and it was rattling between the chain and the valve cover. It was the same noise you are decribing. Nick
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Dano
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'95 Nissan 240SX base - Location: Kansas City, KS/ Phx, AZ
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took the valve cover off mine, its fine, still makes the noise, my buddy saw there was a recall on that noise **** months ago, so we called nissan and asked wat thydo to fix it, he said he'd have to check, we asked if it would hurt anything if we just took that top chain guide off, he came back after checkin and say thats all the do, take the uper chain guide off and toss it in the trash, so thats wat im gonna do, but my car will still click, and if th clicking is caused by the timing chain hitting te guide, then the timing chain isnt sitting right...or is that just me...so just taking it off wouldnt be solving the problem, just gets rid of that annoying noise....grrrr...grrrrrrr...argh.
-Dan
-Dan
Former_240_s14 wrote:Timing Chain gears, rails, tensoner, chain, chain guide
Water Pump
Oil Pan Gasket
Can you think of anything else that could or should be done while we're at it? What about a new oil pump? Unless I'm mistaken, it's part of the lower front cover. I'm hoping my cousin can hook me up. I know I can get the parts cheap online.
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Former_240_s14
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Former_240_s14
- Posts: 1943
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574-240sx wrote:Are you sure that meaningless piece that stops the chain from hitting the valve cover might have broke. Take off your valve cover and check, shouldn't take more than 5 minutes. It never hurts to check. I had that piece beak off and it was rattling between the chain and the valve cover. It was the same noise you are decribing. Nick
Nick,
I think I'm gonna try that as soon as my FSM arrives (ordered a few days ago). I was thinking it was the upper guides (there are two, right?) or possibly a bad upper tensioner. I'd love to get my hands on the TSB's related to the timing chain problem, but I can't seem to find them.
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Touchdown038
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The chain is a job you can do in your garage, hell you don't even have to take the motor out of the car. As for tools, you really don't need anything special. You only need 8, 10, and 12mm sockets and wrenches, a 27mm socket for the crank bolt, a gear puller, an allen wrench (can't remember what size), and some RTV. Something totally do-able with even the most basic tools.
Touchdown038 wrote:The chain is a job you can do in your garage, hell you don't even have to take the motor out of the car. As for tools, you really don't need anything special. You only need 8, 10, and 12mm sockets and wrenches, a 27mm socket for the crank bolt, a gear puller, an allen wrench (can't remember what size), and some RTV. Something totally do-able with even the most basic tools.
I have a 1990 Ka, same as 1989, i think. i heard that in others models if difficult to do it.
Touchdown038, How much time and effort?Ah i´m not a mechanic (do some repairs myself) :pface
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Touchdown038
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1990 should be the same as 1989. Both have the SOHC motor.
As for time and effort... well... I'm no mechanic either
having said that, it took me a whole week of working on the car for about 2-3 hours a day. So it was probably close to about 15 hours by the time I was done. That was only my first time, though, if I had to do it again I'm sure it wouldn't take me more than 6 or so.
As for time and effort... well... I'm no mechanic either
having said that, it took me a whole week of working on the car for about 2-3 hours a day. So it was probably close to about 15 hours by the time I was done. That was only my first time, though, if I had to do it again I'm sure it wouldn't take me more than 6 or so.
lifters...how much it cost...nissan dealer said to me one time when i ask, because i have this sound some times, that goes away when i accelerate (when motor is cool)... $600.00 
i never do it because this weird sound goes away for weeks and sometimes for two months
then sound one morning and no sound for weeks lol 
weird ah!
you do it? or pay for it..
:ak47 nissan dealer... lol
i never do it because this weird sound goes away for weeks and sometimes for two months
then sound one morning and no sound for weeks lol weird ah!you do it? or pay for it..
:ak47 nissan dealer... lol
Man...it was expensive. It hurt. Nissan labor rates are astronomical. I really need to find a good shop around here. The Nissan techs @ my local dealership are very competent, but its just too expensive.Boricua wrote:lifters...how much it cost...nissan dealer said to me one time when i ask, because i have this sound some times, that goes away when i accelerate (when motor is cool)... $600.00
I didn't feel comfortable changing out lifters, but it was bugging me so I had it fixed. They're also gonna flush out the engine. I'll be curious to see if I notice any difference.
The engine is otherwise running very nicely, so I don't really mind putting the money in to it. The chain and tensioners checked out OK, the engine idles nicely and has good power. A nice quiet valve train would be the icing on the cake.