Sentra 90 Timing Chain

billynissan · Nov 30th, 2004, 09:58 PM

Could the valves damaged when there is a timing chain failure in a Nissan Sentra 1990?
The timing chain in my car is lose and the car is not starting. I don't know if I should repair it or just sell it as junk.

Slacky · Nov 30th, 2004, 10:37 PM

very common problem with the ga16i engine, tinming chain or guide breaks cuasing the engine to come off timing normally which makes a bunch of valves hit, not fun, but a easy fix, its just the time consumption, i personally hate the engine but only because my coil was bad and after a new one it runs pretty sweet, i suggest u make sure the timing is the problem by cranking it by hand and see if u have compression or hear unusual clanks and of course bring it to top dead center and making sure everything is aligned

Elbow Greese · Dec 1st, 2004, 08:16 AM

I've seen this on 2 different motors.
The exhaust valves are the ones that get bent. The springs are a PITA to get off when the valves are bent, but it's doable.
Just slide in and seat the new valves and get the timing stuff redone.
It's usually better just to replace the entire chain kit rather than just the pieces.
Always a good idea to make sure the valve guides and stem seals are still good too.
it's a *ahem* "fun" project.
Todd

GetsomeGOJO · Dec 2nd, 2004, 09:41 PM

Welcome to my world

I've just finished swapping out my fried motor from the same mishap you are experiencing. Your exhaust valves are probably fried for sure. Rather than suffer the hassel of replacing valves, timing chain, tensioner, guides, regrinding the head, ect. I would recomend looking for a new engine. They can be had pretty inexpensively ($250-$450) and believe it or not, my own story to the contrary, are a pretty easy thing to swap out. Just rember to listen to your NissanForums friend's advice as you run across snags!

P.S. I have a GA16i, gutted, and would gladly rebuild the head for you/ship it, if you'd buy the parts/ pay for the grinding work. I love my engine and now, after four months of education, would love to explore/repair the valve train in one for my own edification

But, you'd still have the PITA of installing it

Slacky · Dec 3rd, 2004, 03:16 PM

head gasket set 100 bucks, might aswell change water pump while at it unless its new which is roughly 15 bucks, my timing chain guide went shatering everywhere which is what caused my mishap, bought one for the engine but considered it a unecassary part if it broke like that so i enver installed ituhhhhh and u wont need to re grind head if u take it off corectly because it wont be warped just clean it up with a razor blade enough to get all junk off o yea and valves are like 2 bucks a peice and mine poped right out no problem.. what else.. um if u do fic it make sure when u torque everything down u do it perfect if not even better to ensure that the head gasket stays put