There is a strange rattle in the engine of my 1994 Nissan Primera, SR18DE. It is most noticeable and constant at lower revs (idleing), and can not hear it when the revs pick up. I just had the oil squirters cleaned and had a mechanic check out the head including rockers etc and he could see no problems. This includes the cam belt.



Still the noise persists. I still suspect it to be an oil related problem due to having to get the oil squirters cleaned as they were gummed up. Any Ideas??? Ive heard things like it could be a Sticky Lifter or low oil but i just dont know...

Timing chain tensioner. The chain is probably hitting the chain guide.

Should that not have been checked when the mechanic inspected the head tho?

It should have, but that doesn't mean it was or if he knew what to look for. Do you hear the noise at startup?

No, the noise is only there once the car is at normal running temperature. Its not constant noise either. It sounds like it coming from the area of the timing chain but yeh.

I have established that you were right about it being the timing chain tensioner. Would an engine flush clean it out enough to make it work properly and stop the noise? Or do i need to get at it and clean the tensioner and remove the 2 upper guides?

You are probably just better off replacing the tensioner. If the noise doesn't stop after you replace the tensioner, alot of people remove the guide and that will eliminate the problem as well.

I think i will just remove the upper guide and see if that solves the problem.

The noise has now started to occur at startup. Do you happen to have the part number for a new version tensioner for the SR18DE engine?

You can also use the timing chain tensioner from the SR20DE. Part # 13070-2J203.

I had the same rattle problem with my G20, I was sure I needed new vales or something, after all it has 255K miles on it. It would rattle almost all the time. After browsing this site I pulled the valve cover off and found the upper guide had worn completely through and a big chunk of it was getting scraped by the chain. I replaced the tensioner on mine with one from a junkyard for $15 and deleted the upper chain guide and bolts. No more rattle! What do you suppose a dealer would have charged for a valve job / chain replacement???

Thanks, guys, I owe ya!!!

Hi there guys...just had a read of all your comments. i myself own a 1997 primera camino and it does the exact same rattle noise on a cold start. I removed the little housing that the chain had but it still rattles. could u guys help describe to me where to find the tensioner...??

cheers

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