Timing chain 96 se

[marcusx]

I have a 96 SE. I am noticing a light rattling sound that is coming from the water pump area. I have 124000 miles. Does this sound like a timing chain? What is involved in replacing it? I am fairly good at mechanic work. I have done alot of work on motorcycles not so much on cars. How hard is it? How much is the kit? Are there any HP upgrades I could do at the same time? Does any body have a step by step guide to replacing it? Thanks in advance.

Marcus

[dubstyles240]

My KA had this after i put it in my car... it was rattling really bad. Just take out your plug wires, unbolt the valve cover and remove it (you might want to get a new valve cover gasket, I didn't). You can see the timing chain... and at the very top of it, there is a little metal plate, maybe 2 inches wide. 2 bolts hold it on. Take it off, put it in the trash can. Put everything back together, and that should take most of the rattle away. Mine still does a little bit, but its not too bad once it warms up.

That plate you are throwing away is just a guide, it is very redundant, and not needed at all.

[marcusx]

Thanks alot for the info... I will be tearing into it tomorrow....

[dubstyles240]

email me if you have any problems... i check my mail often

[nissanz240]

are you sure about taking the guide off?...i had to get a new oil pan on cause somehow i crushed it and cracked my feeding tube to pick up oil...well since there was no oil pressure because of the crack in the tube (sucking in air)...the timing chain got looser because of no oil compression, the oil pressure tightens it slighty...it slapped around in there like "midgets playing with marbles"...my mechanic had told me that i was to buy a new guide. if not the timing chain would slip off or even wear a hole through the water gate...i'd really like to know what you think i should do...and i hope its the top guide if so...haven't gotten a chance to look for myself...

[dubstyles240]

i guess that guide would help keep it from hitting the valve cover or coming off in a worse case scenario. but have you ever seen or handled the timing chain? it is very beefy, i doubt it would come off.