Timing chain??????

[RT]

I have 160k on my 91 hardbody. I get a little chain rattle on start up and I am sure it is adjusters. Does timing chain need swapping at 160k? Any problem NOT doing new chain yet ? Or should I get ready to do one now? Do they break or just get noisy? Thanks for any personal knowledge of this. I know the belts on most small engines need to be done at 80-100k but how long can I let the chain go? Anyone know of chain failures at some point?

[Desert Rat]

If it's getting noisy, it might not hurt, but in a lot of cases, I've seen the chains in the 4 bangers last the life of the engine. Have a friend with a '98 KA24DE in his Frontier that's approaching 300k miles. He finally just did his.

[RT]

Thanks i will keep an ear open and if it starts rattling after initial crank up I may replace it.

[Rev_D21]

The plastic on the slack guide has likely turned to dust. The plastic on the guide will break up leaving on the metal backing plate for the chain to rattle against. Left long enough the chain can cause some damage to the timing cover causing a coolant leak. I replaced my chain and guides last summer, the guide was broken into pieces.

[RT]

Thanks, was it hard or pretty straight forward job? I know the front all has to be pulled apart, but any tricks to keeping cam in place while removing and replacing? I know on some motors it can get tricky if you do not know what is what.

[Rev_D21]

I did not have trouble keeping everything lined up cam and crank wise besides the timing marks on the chain will tell you what's going on. It wasn't really a bad job at all. NICO has quite a few good write ups on the subject. If it's 2wd I would remove the oil pan and clean it. Makes life easier.

[nismopu]

buy an OSK timing chain kit. If your nissan was made before 94 suppposedly it will not have metal backed guides. This I feel is here say but might be credible. I dont know, I just pulled a 90 KA24e apart from a 240sx that had never been cracked open and it had metal backed guides. If yours is missing completely it will wear into your timing cover! I have seen the oil pump drive be damaged from this and the oil pump itself, not to mention the spun rod bearings you will have when it cuts into the coolant port. change it with an OSK kit and run a check valve style oil filter. peace.