rattling sound/tining sound from engine.

[JdrifterCA]

hey guys, i just decide to get a 240sx. I was looking to buy this coupe, but the thing is the engine had a tining sound like loose valves or somthing, but the owner told me all 240sx have that sound, is somthing with the timing belt that can be fixed. so... is that true? is a belt or a chain on stock 1993 KAs?

[JeromeS13]

Chain. If its a rattle at startup and lower RPM, it may just be the guides. Search around and you'll find out more info.

-Jerome

[JdrifterCA]

cool thanks, nice looking G btw.

[JaredBorden]

Hey man not sure which engine youre running but when my car had the SOHC engine in it every time I would start the engine it would make the sound that you're describing for a few seconds and go away. It was the timing chain guides (or lack there of) that were making the sound. I noticed that the car would make the sound more and more frequently and for longer periods of time. Eventually the vehicle would not start at all. The chain had worn all the way through the guide and into the cylinder head and timing cover. MORAL: CHECK THAT GUIDE BEFORE YOU PURCHASE THAT CAR! This mishap led to the impromtu installation of a new engine. This engine was a 91' DOHC engine. Engine runs like a top w/65000 original miles on the engine (not sure if the mileage has anything to do with what I'm about to say but . . . eh). At low end I had the same sound that you're describing only this time it wasn't only at start up like before it was all the time. Checked the timing chain and guide and everything measured to Nissan's specifications. I was talking to a buddy of mine about maintenance one day and I told him that because it was summer (100 deg. F or better in the area I live) I was running 20W50 to prevent my oil from thinning to much due to the heat. The subject of the engine noise came up and my friend told me that the noise I was hearing was valve clatter due to the heavier weight oil that I was using. I thought that maybe it was just a myth but decided to give it a shot. I put 10W40 in my engine this time and as soon as the engine reached operating temperature the noise went away. MORAL: IT COULD BE AS SIMPLE AS AN OIL CHANGE! Anyway don't want to see you have to swap an engine over a freakin timing chain guide. ** sorry . . . little long winded today.