Well, I printed off some write-ups and was about to remove my upper timing change guides, when..... I pulled of the valve cover and find that both cam sprockets have been broken into two halves. They are seperated clean so that both sets of teeth are still rotating with the chain, but I can physically move them around with my fingers. The car was running seemingly fine, although it did lack power. My brother's '89 manual 240 would have me by a car length coming out of 1st gear. His is powered by a '95 ka24de. (Same engine as mine, but I have an Auto) And, of course, it makes some noise.
My question is: What could cause the cam sprockets to shear into halves like that? Is this a common problem? My gut says no, and I did't find any info thru the search feature. Only one mention of it on a google search, but no good info. I've pulled the car off the road for the weekend, and I'd like to knock it out asap. Should I replace the cam sprockets only, or do the whole timing kit? Also I'd like OEM quality parts... Where should I go? Nissan Wholesale Parts doesn't list the sprockets in their camshaft section. Weird. I know you can get a KA24E kit for $85 with some OE parts (Hybrid KA), but I don't have a good source for the DE.
Might be worth mentioning that the previous owner had removed the upper timing chain guide. (Top Only) I've no idea what shape it was in when he took it out.
Thanks for looking and I'd appreciate any help you fine folks could lend. If this is a repost, just point me in the right direction.
Modified by 240sHorTy at 12:52 AM 7/2/2005
Modified by 240sHorTy at 12:53 AM 7/2/2005
Modified by 240sHorTy at 4:24 AM 7/2/2005
Timing Rattle??? I WISH. Broken Cam Sprockets. But why???
Re: Broken Cam Sprockets (240sHorTy)
After removing my upper guides, I started working the tensioner in and out. Works pretty much the same as the video link in the sticky writeup. But I brushed my hand over the top of the cap shown in this pic:
The cap slid right off the top and fell off. So, I put it back on and tapped it on lightly with a hammer into place. Should this cap come off this easy? If this is an oil reservoir for the tensioner, won't it just pop back off when I start the car?? I assume it should probably be tighter. Anyone else have this happen?
The cap slid right off the top and fell off. So, I put it back on and tapped it on lightly with a hammer into place. Should this cap come off this easy? If this is an oil reservoir for the tensioner, won't it just pop back off when I start the car?? I assume it should probably be tighter. Anyone else have this happen?
Yep, I wouldn't even of known it came off, if not for the sound it made when it landed. Don't even know how it was still there. Like it was just sitting in there.
I did find the sprockets on the Nissan Parts Finder. Listed under 'Timing gear set'. Only $25 plus shipping? Seems too cheap, but I won't complain. Too bad no one will be working this weekend.
I would still like to know what happened to my engine that would cause the sprockets to break in the first place.
Modified by 240sHorTy at 3:05 AM 7/3/2005
I did find the sprockets on the Nissan Parts Finder. Listed under 'Timing gear set'. Only $25 plus shipping? Seems too cheap, but I won't complain. Too bad no one will be working this weekend.
I would still like to know what happened to my engine that would cause the sprockets to break in the first place.
Modified by 240sHorTy at 3:05 AM 7/3/2005
Well, I went ahead and ordered both the timing gear set and the camshaft chain. I may end up going for the upper tensioner as well, but I'll wait and see. As for anyone looking to do the chain guide removal, go ahead and do it. (Both of them) Just print off the Sticky in the General Chat section. Pretty easy and straightforward job.