I bought a 1993 Altima GLE auto last week, the car has 89k miles on it and after getting it home I noticed a rattle coming from the front of the engine at idle and only at idle. Being a home mechanic I thought it was the idler pulley for the P/S, water pump, altenator belt. I replaced it and the A/C idler pulley (it was actually bad), but the noise continued.
So I took a better listen and it seems to be coming from the timing chain. I searched another board I visted for info on this and they said to remove the upper guide, did that and the noise is still there.
The noise goes away if you give it a little gas, say 1,500 RPM or more. My guess is the upper tensioner is weak. Think I'm close? :help
Timing Chain Rattle on 1993 Altima
well under load blows what i was thinking. you probably have a broken timing chain guide. not uncommon on the altima. you need to r&r the oil pan,pan skirt and the front cover to repair this. when you do this make sure you get the front cover oring and front crankseal, when you have it apart you need to closely inspect the chain links for cracks or abnormal wear to the back side of the chain. if any wear is present replace the chain. I have not yet seen an altima that required a chain during this repair but I still inspect them closely.
Yeah, just changing the belts and idler pullies was a bit of a pain. I really don't like FWD, but the fiance wanted an Altima.
So do you think it's the lower guides? Would it be worth it to change the upper tensioner first and if that doesn't fix it move the lower guides or just do it all at once? Also, if I do the guides do you have to remove the timing chain(s)?
So do you think it's the lower guides? Would it be worth it to change the upper tensioner first and if that doesn't fix it move the lower guides or just do it all at once? Also, if I do the guides do you have to remove the timing chain(s)?
you could probably get away with just the lower guide. when you get it apart you should see the guide toward the front of the enigne bay in peices or a chunk of it gone. I myself dont usually replace the tensioners. It is purly up to you if you want them. the milage on your car isnt too high so just replacing the broken peices is acceptable.
Ok, I spent 5 hours last night and a couple more this morning getting the timing chain cover off.
To my horror when I finally pealed back the lower timing chain cover I found that both guides where intact and in perfect shape.
Now when I removed the upper cover I noticed that the upper chain was slack on the right side (as you face the engine) and could be hitting that guide (the one I haven't removed). Is this normal? Can I remove that guide? Would it be a good idea to change the lower guides while I have it torn apart?
:help :help :help :help :help
To my horror when I finally pealed back the lower timing chain cover I found that both guides where intact and in perfect shape.
Now when I removed the upper cover I noticed that the upper chain was slack on the right side (as you face the engine) and could be hitting that guide (the one I haven't removed). Is this normal? Can I remove that guide? Would it be a good idea to change the lower guides while I have it torn apart?
:help :help :help :help :help
no it is not normal. I have not yet replaced the guide you are saying is broke. i would say definitly replace the lower guides especially if they have not been replaced with the updated guides.
was your car leaking oil before you tore it apart? if so you will be fixing that leak too. since it usually is from the front cover near the oring.
was your car leaking oil before you tore it apart? if so you will be fixing that leak too. since it usually is from the front cover near the oring.