Timing Chain rattle on SR

[S13240]

I was wondering what to look for when checking out the timing chain on a red top sr? My timing chain rattles at start up and then goes away when engine is warm...anything to worry about or anything to replace?

[Dori Dori]

Tensioner?

[S13240]

I have no idea...that's why I'm asking : )

[TougeMonkey]

This sounds more like valve tap than a timing chain rattle. It's nothing to be worried about. If it quiets down to "normal", then it's all good. You should hear a 996 Turbo when you first start it up. Valves tap loud as hell!

[konseiEva]

i would definately take a look at the timing chain! sounds like the tensioner or a guide is toast. my KA made the same noise (loud as hell then faded and seemed fine) and i had a broken guide and bad tensioner. i would not ignore this by any means. it costs you nothing and doesnt take too much time to at least look at this especially since you spent the money on a SR

how's your car idling?

[S13240]

Car idles very smooth.

[konseiEva]

i found this on http://www.200sx.org/faq_4.html could be a possibility

4.6 Something in my engine "rattles" when I take off sometimes.Check the symptoms carefully. The issue referred to here is very specific:The car needs to have been sitting, engine off for an extended period (30+ minutes). The first time you try and move off (or just put the car in gear, hold the clutch in and blip the throttle), you will hear a sharp "metallic" rattling sound from somewhere in the front of the engine.

Always consult your dealer, but we have found on several cars, there is a problem in the variable valve timing actuator and inlet cam sprocket, that causes this noise. Nissan have a fix for it, and the job is done within a day.

So what causes it? It's the variable valve timing actuator. This is a hydraulic piston which moves the inlet cam sprocket slightly. The problem is that when you start the engine, oil pressure does not come up fast enough to hold the actuator firmly in place, so it rattles. Because this assembly is mounted on the cylinder head, it seems to reverberate and amplify the noise.

We've only seen the problem on the S14 and S14a cars, but scanning newsgroups and talking to folks in Japan indicate it may also affect any Nissan engine with variable valve timing.

Any mechanical noise should be investigated. This is one possible cause that took a long time to track down with the help of a very persistent dealer.

[Dori Dori]

His sig says he has a s13 240 w/ a s13 sr20det, so that's not a possibility since there was no variable valve timing on that motor.

You need to figure out where the sound is coming from exactly. If it's definately your timing chain, look into replacing the tensioner...call heavy throttle, maybe they can help.

Good luck and keep us updated.

[drifspecs13]

I also have the same noise coming from my timing chain (sr20det). However it is off and on. I opened the valve cover and notice a metal guard between the chain and valve cover, I carefully pryed it up a little. Now it does it 1/5 time instead of 4/5.

[Cyberkreig]

I too have a tapping (tho i think mine is a valve) for the first 5 or so minutes after i turn it over from cold.

[sr20det]

i have an sr20det too, it rattles too so i just take the matel piece by the cams off and it works, but i also get rattles to that there is not enought oil pump up quick enough so after it warms up and my oil pumps ok it stop rattles. check your oil c if theres pressure...

[S13240]

I have the valve cover off right now and it seems like everything is in good condition. Nothing seems to be wobbling around at all. I think the timing chain may be rubbing against the chain guide located right above the two cam gears and under the valve cover. Do you guys think it's safe to take off the guide?

[Dori Dori]

I have the valve cover off right now and it seems like everything is in good condition. Nothing seems to be wobbling around at all. I think the timing chain may be rubbing against the chain guide located right above the two cam gears and under the valve cover. Do you guys think it's safe to take off the guide?

No. Do not take that off.

Either adjust the tensioner or find somebody that can. It might need replacement.

[S13240]

Awww damn, I already took it off. And the rattling is still there, not as loud. I guess I'll have to put the guide back in this weekend. Damn Damn Damn

[boost_boy]

On that subject, I just replaced an oil pump in my friends SR20DET which also included the timing chain, tensioner, guides, rod bearings and even that plate between the two cam gears. The car cranked right up, but has a rattling noise in which I'm 99.9% sure that it's the timing not being secure enough by the tensioner. My ?? is, how do you make the tensioner push the guide even more to tighten the chain (If possible). I've removed the little plate between the gears and it quited down a bit, but it's only proving to me that the timing chain's tensioner is not providing enough tension. Is this a correct thought or is there something I've missed. Car runs and idles fine, just make noise and I don't want to run the risk of screwing up his new chain though his oil pump just stopped pumping and mainly because the car was running eccentrictly rich (rinse-down) and wore out the oil pump. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[loudbay]

AND I COMMAND YOU TO RISE FROM THE GRAVE........hey, just wondering what ever happened about tightening the chain tensioner..... let me know...

[Cyberkreig]

AND I COMMAND YOU TO RISE FROM THE GRAVE........

Altered beast on the original sega.

[S13240]

I ended up just using thinner oil and the rattling just went away. Just started using 0w-50 and rattling went away.