Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Boughtabadone
Well, I replaced the upper timing chain ONLY, started the engine and it purrs like a kitten. Now that I have a running car, I have discovered LOTS of rattles around the engine and around the exhaust system. Stuff like loose brackets or other supporting linkages. The whole procedure only took me about 15 hours and $85, including new oil, filter and Bosch Platinum spark plugs. I reused the old valve cover gasket to test everything and make sure that the engine ran before I finished the whole re-assembly process using a new VC gasket.
Here is what I discovered:
1) I didn’t need to pull the right wheel. Although it makes it easier to access the crank pulley bolt to turn the engine over by hand, it is not necessary contrary to what the service manual indicates.
2) I definitely did not need to pull the head. I think that I could even skip this if replacing the lower chain also.
3) There is no need to pull the oil pan/pump. If the bottom chain needs to be replaced, then it looks like you will have to do this though.
4) I could have skipped draining the radiator. The only reason that it makes sense to drain it is to get the upper radiator hose out of the way.
5) The cams do not need to be pulled unless you feel like checking them out anyway. If your valve clearances are still acceptable then I would leave the cam alone. You only have to remove one of the cam sprockets to get the new timing chain on.
6) The timing sprocket bolt is a bear to break loose. I used a big wrench on each of the camshaft hexes and had my sons hold on to them with all that they were worth. When this didn't work, I cut a piece of 2x4 to the desired length and placed it between the wrench closest to the timing sprocket and the firewall. This way, when I pushed on the breaker bar to loosen the timing sprocket bolt, the wrench that was holding the cam pressed into the block of wood which pressed into the firewall. This gave me the immobility that I needed to break that thing loose.
7) Putting it all back together was a walk in the park. The next time that I have to do this (God forbid that from ever happening), it should only take about 6 hours.
8) I don't like timing chains!!! I would rather do a belt. What was Nissan thinking?!?
|
very nice that you got it all fixed - pretty cheaply too i might add. sounds like you gained some valuable experience as well. my only comment is that i actually like the chain instead of a belt. breaking a chain is not a very common thing to happen. high mileage engines barely show any stretch and its not considered a maintenance item. time interval or otherwise. nissan was looking for reliability and longevity. sounds like you got it all worked out though.
