Timing chain rattle

[markheth]

I fixed this problem last year, but it seems that is still has some problems.

The stock timing chain tensioners in my 89 240sz broke into pieces (because they were made from plastic in 89!)... so the tension on the chain was rather loose, causing the chain to rattle around like crazy.

I replaced everything (chain, sprockets, tensioners), and it was good for a while...

Now, just when I start the car, I get that aweful rattle for about 2 seconds. I am assuming it is because the oil pressure is helping tension the chain (the small piston at the top tensioner).

Is this normal, or should I be opening it up again to examine?

Thanks for any help.

[NISTECH]

if you dont have a factory oil filter on the car try that first. if this does not help and if you are not already useing 5w-30 oil try going down one weight from what you are currently useing.

[ch1873857]

no no no everybody is having those problems including myself. Nissan put out recalls on the timing chain guides one on top of chain/sprocket and on down under the distributor behind the timing cover. just take them suckers out. DONT TAKE THE TENSIONER OUT, that needs to stay, its located on the oppostie side of the lower chain guide. well this is all info on the KA24DE but it should be the same for the E but the DE guide were metal but still broke. at idle they will rattle when they are broke and at higher rpm's. pop the valve cover and check the top guide and see if its still intact if not.... i dont know what to tell you other than the oil pressure

[chrissa]

A rattling timing chain can also be an indication that your oil level is getting low. I learned that one first hand when I had one incredibly leaky oil pan.

It's a lot simpler to pull the dip stick first then the valve cover.

[markheth]

Yeah, oil is good. I just did an oil change. This car has rattled when you start it for as long as I can remeber, and I have driven it over 150,000kms so far.

[TurboKA37]

are u sure its that timing chain? i have a similar problem right now where right after the car is start there is a rubbing grinding type noise when the rpms drop down (about 2 secounds also) its at the nissan dealership right now and they said it was a bad starter. should be done today so we'll see if that fixed it.

[markheth]

It sure sounds like a timing chaing, but i have a probe, and I can have a listen to it tonight to make sure its the timing chain... After I changed the chain last year, the rattle went away for about 2-3 months, which makes me think one of the tensioners is failing.

[GroundZero]

are u sure its that timing chain? i have a similar problem right now where right after the car is start there is a rubbing grinding type noise when the rpms drop down (about 2 secounds also) its at the nissan dealership right now and they said it was a bad starter. should be done today so we'll see if that fixed it.

i had the same problem with my starter, took it out, dumped out about a disc's worth of clutch material and now it doesn't make noise anymore.

[TurboKA37]

oh, well i just got mine back from the service department tonight and its all fixed. they put in a new starter and no charge at all, it was all covered under warranty. although the wiring in the engine bay looks a bit different when i looked at it tonight (zip ties where i dont remember them to be) just looks a little bit different to me. i dont really trust their service department. although the new starter makes a cool whinning noise when starting the engine now.