Timing Chain Rattle

[BoBa524]

My car has a rattling noise when you drive around in it for a little. i went to the nissan dealership and the guy just opened the hood reved it and said it was the timing chain. told me it costs like 1500 to replace? is this true?

[fiznat]

a complete timing set is something like $300 and change... that price he gave you is probably mostly labor costs though, pulling the timing cover off of an engine that's in the car is a real pain in the arse. I've never done it like that before, but I just finished timing my new engine while it's out of the car and damn, I pity the fool that has to try to do that while the engine is in the car....

Shop around though, maybe you'll find a good deal- or if youre brave enough go ahead and try it yourself!

[ILikeMy240sx]

Nissan dealership wont install a timing set that you supply... but like fiznat said... most of that 1500 is the labor (probably around 1000 for the labor)...

You can go to a nice local shop and they will probably install the timing set you supply... will save you some money

[rico05]

Just make sure and fix it quick! Mine started rattling and within 3 months had eaten into the water jacket and killed my KA. O, and the job is about a 9-12 hour job w/ hand tools and any shop should charge about that much in labor (I called around and prices ranged from $600 + parts to $1300 for everything) I said "screw it" and bought a CA

[JustinStrife]

Damnit i'm in that boat now with my 95 S14...

Ka just started rattling end of last week. I don't really feel like taking any chances. time to get a real motor!

[Graphfixz]

I had the same problem not too long ago. I took my car to a mechanic and he stated that the timing chain needed replacing.

Because I am so freaking poor I decided to try it myself... heck if it all failed I would just get the mechanic to finish the project.

At any rate I took off the valve cover and came to find that the so called 'rattling' was the upper timing chaing guide had broken off. I removed the broken piece and it was fixed!

[JustinStrife]

I'm hoping that's all it is.. I spent all night last night reading up on people with the same problem and that seems to be a big percentage of the rattling. As my KA is a 95, it'll have that Chain guide(unless someone removed it before I got the car which I doubt)

Gonna have to work on it this weekend I gotta get to work and it's already dark when I get home. I'll give you guys a heads' up when I check it out.

[Drift Machine]

At any rate I took off the valve cover and came to find that the so called 'rattling' was the upper timing chaing guide had broken off. I removed the broken piece and it was fixed!

Very common problem.

[deCksy]

rattling is pretty normal with KAs... unless it's rattling uncontrollably i dont it'll be a big issue...

take out the timing chain guide as stated by graphix, it should stop some rattling if not all

[JustinStrife]

My timing chain guide was intact leading me to think that it was not the problem to the rattling in my 240...

Hurry up money I need a new engine!

[BadMojo]

My timing chain guide was intact leading me to think that it was not the problem to the rattling in my 240...

Hurry up money I need a new engine!

Did you remove both the guides on the upper chain? One is only accessible by removing the distributor and cam cover.

I had to replace an upper tensioner to fix my problem. I inspected my chain, which looked fine, and just put everything back together.

[slow s13]

when you buy the upper chain tensioner does it come with the black plastic/metal part that actually contacts the chain?

[base9se]

It can also be the lower chain guide.

[gabossie]

Off course, it could be any of the guides... but most likely it's the top guide. You just remove it, don't have to replace it. When you do need to do a full timng chain job, the kits don't even include a new upper guide because it's unnecessary.

[rico05]

The driver's side guide was non existant in my case. Chain had no tension and was just flapping in the breeze (so to speak)

[Zyphar]

I removed my upper chain guide (the one that you need to take off the valve cover) and mine stopped rattling at idle but it still rattles when i rev it or drive around.

Where is this other guide that has to be removed near the ditributer ? do you need to replace it or can it be thrown out ?

Because ive tracked down the rattling and it seems to be on the driver's side (possibly top but and be too sure)