Name the mystery part! Plastic chunk in valvetrain!? wtf

[znimtz]

Im not new to cars, but I recently bought an 89 240sx with 128k miles, a/t and a KA24E motor. I drove it a few times on short trips and had no problems, I got on the highway one day and drove about 20 miles before the temp went way up and I pulled over to cool and then limped it home (i was about a mile away from my house) So anyway, I checked the oil dipstick and it was a nasty yoohoo substance. Anti-freeze in the oil obviously. First thing that came to mind was a head gasket. So I bought one and popped off the valve cover TO FIND THIS!?:







I heard something the about KA24DE having timing guide/tensioner problems but this is a KA24E, so I am having trouble finding anyone with the same problem. I looked into the head and across from the chain tensioner is just a metal guide that looks like its missing the plastic from around it? ANY HELP WOULD BE GREAT! I have been searching all over but cant find much on the KA24E, let alone a 1989. I am thinking I need to compression test the cylinders, and determine if its a blown head gasket, then figure out what the plastic part is? My luck its probably something drastic. Thanks for the help
Modified by znimtz at 1:24 PM 12/16/2007

[datsunguy1984]

its your timing chain guide you can see it missing on your very last pic the driver side one is gone you should also drop your oil pan to get all the plastic out

[datsunguy1984]

looking at the oil in the valve train it looks like you have a blown headgasket also though

[znimtz]

Thanks so much for the help. I'll drop the pan and keep this updated. Thanks again

[Crazyirish]

I think you have the rare ka24de that comes equiped with a frog module in the valvetrain. Take care of that one...

[cmoody2006]

My spare motor has the same thing wrong with it its a broken chain tensioner on the drivers side of the motor it is a necessity repalce that ish

[cmoody2006]

Ewwwwwwwww Change that oil its mixed with your coolant that means you have a blown head gasket as well i just replaced mine

[znimtz]

I wish I had a rare KA24DE, but this little 240 only has the KA24E!

I am in the process of changing the cylinder head gasket, of dropping the oil pan, and putting the timing chain guide on. So - I have another question for you Nissan breathing madmen =)

I might just need this car through the winter, so should I buy the whole timing kit or just try to buy the part I need? Im guessing since it comes as a kit, I would have to buy everything to get that guide I need. ???

Also, the FSM says to remove the oil pan, you need to remove the sway bar. That stinks! Anyway, I cant get to the oil pan bolts in the rear of the pan because of the some kind of transmission mount/bracket in the way on each back side of the pan. Do I have to remove that too!? its a never ending battle, Uggghh!, any help would be great. Thanks fellas

[peashooter]

Rare ka24de ? Pull-A-Part here has several .

[znimtz]

(Sarcasm peashooter, no such thing as a rare KA24DE.)

Anyway.. I have another question... Anyone know where this came from? I noticed it on the ground after taking the timing cover off. I have no clue what it is or where it goes. Any help would be great!

[EstoMax]

on the ka24de it goes around certain head bolts and lines up the oil passages in the block with the head... or something.. but their between the block and the head is all i can tell you.

[240sxmech]

you need to check the back of your timing cover were the coolant runs thru because those chains slap against the back of the cover and make a hole in the cover that will cause the coolant in oil and the part that is busted is your timing chain guide not your tensioner and yes replace all of it,tensioner both chain guides and chain.....

[znimtz]

estomax - My car is a KA24E, not DE...

I got a New timing kit and resurfaced the head, I put the head on already, Do I need to take the head off and put this little piece in?? I looked at the factory service manual, but i dont see a part like this. . .