Timing Chain!

[joshhample]

Hey, this is my first post and I have just taken off my valve cover and I have taken off the timing chain, but I can't get it back on because it seems too tight to pull it over. This may seem like a stupid question, but I really need help because I'm stuck here. I am trying to figure out this loud knocking in my engine that a bunch of people with 240's have. Anyways, if someone can help me that would be great.

Peace

[Touchdown038]

Alright, if you have taken off your timing chain I would assume you meant the front cover, not the valve cover... if you got the chain off with just taking the valve cover off, you got a whole lot of work ahead of you.... have fun.

Anyhow, if you did mean the front cover, the chain should just slide on over the cam and crank sprockets. Make sure you line up the silver links to the dots on the sprockets so as not to mess up the timing. Then put the guides and tensioner in.

If you did in fact get the chain off with just the valve cover off, let us know, there are quite a few people including myself who have done this and would be glad to help you out.

[95_240sx]

Buy a Factory Service Manual, it will walk you through replacing a timing chain or both if you decide to do that, also a good idea to replace them if you have them off already.

Rick

[matt4pl]

wait, its possible to replace the timing chain with just removing the valve cover? also, if not, do u need to remove the fans and pulleys, etc to take fo the front cover? i've always read u gotta take off a lot of stuff, so this is something new.... my chain isnt rattling but it is making funny sounds, kinda clicky, guessing its the guides (can u take those out with jsut the valve cover off?)

[Touchdown038]

The chain is around the cam sprocket with tension, but you could probably get the chain off with a little bit of effort. Why you would, though, is beyond me, because you definitely have to take the front cover (including all the pumps/belts and whatnot - everything in front of the cover) off to get the chain off the crank sprocket and the new one on. And if your chain isn't rattling when you start it up, there really isn't a reason to do this job. Unless you know you jumped a couple of teeth and your timing is way the hell off =)

To answer your question, no, it's not possible to replace the chain without the front cover off.

[matt4pl]

ok, yea, i figured it was too good to be true, my chain is kinda loud at startup but quiets down after driving around for a bit, i could take the valve cover and all off myself, but im not too sure about the front cover and all, i dont wanna mess up the timing

[Touchdown038]

If it's making a rattle for a couple of seconds at startup, that's the chain.

Changing the chain really isn't that hard, just time-consuming. And there's really no chance of messing up the timing, as long as you make sure and line up the silver links on the chain with the dots on the sprockets.

[matt4pl]

the other issues is that i have socket wrenches and all, but no torque wrench, and i dunno if i should replace everything, or just the tensioners and if needed, guides

[Touchdown038]

No torque wrench... what are you doing working on your car without one?

As for what you should replace, you should replace the guides, tensioner, and probably the chain itself, depending on how old it is. You can also replace the sprockets, but I didn't bother when I did it.

[matt4pl]

i just got my car 2 months ago, im probobly gonna do the change over the summer when i can just got at it all day in my garage, and i might get some altima fans also, from a junkyard or something, get rid of the mechanical fan while im at it

[desiving1]

the chains and sprockets definitely need replaced if they look worn, chipped, etc. if not you can still change them to feel safer. i'd definitely change the tensioners and guides.

also, regarding the original question, there is plenty of slack in the chain to slide it over the sprockets without the guides installed. slide it over, then install the guides. if this is how your trying to do it, i can't understand why it's too tight....?