Sound in motor??

[bstevenson]

Hey guys. . .first of all I just wanted to say its a 1995 240sx engine was replaced last year and should have about 55-60k on it. It runs fine and pulls fine through the RPM range. . .but when im under the hood and i rev it just a little, around 1500-2000 rpms it sounds like one of the cams - possibly both - is making a little noise, kind of like a really light tapping sound. Is it common for the KA engines to make a little noise? Just wanted to check before anything bad happens, thanks.

[drftnassmofo]

first just take off the valve cover and see if the upper timing chain guide is loose or broken...i'd take it out even if it isnt the timing guide making the noise. but if it is then its the easiest thing to fix....be sure to torque on the valve cover the right way also.

[NISTECH]

The KA is a pretty noisy engine, the injectors are pretty loud as well when you get around that rpm at steady throttle. Just make sure your oil level is correct and clean.

[bstevenson]

ok, so i took the valve cover off today and checked it out, the top side of the timing chain is tight. . .the passenger side where the tensioner is located is tight, but the drivers side is slightly loose, has about 1/16" - 1/8" play.

The engine was installed in the car last year, before I got the car and is supposed to have about 60k on it. It is marked from the place that installed it that it had 54k when they had it. Now you can tell from the looks of the engine that it sat for a little while before being installed in my car. So my best guess is that there is a build up around the tensioner that is not allowing it to tighten up completely. Does this sound right. I am probably going to actually start pulling it apart tomorrow to see if I can find out. I was going to do it today after I did my brakes but I ended up having to do some engineering on one of the calipers so it took longer than I thought.

But anyways, any help would be great. . .thanks guys

[NISTECH]

A little slack in the chain is not abnormal when the engine is off. As long as the chain does not slap around your ok. Just push in on the tensioner with a screw driver or something and see if it will move in and out of its bore. If it moves but has a bit of pressure on it ,it should be ok.

[bstevenson]

Ok, thanks a lot. . .Ill just remove the guides that I have noticed everyone on these boards has been talking about taking off. They could possibly be what is making the sound.thanks everyone