i just bought my first truck, 1997 nissan HB XE-timing tensioner issue, yes i searchd

aws140 · Sep 25th, 2007, 04:36 PM

well, im a car guy. ive been into mazda rx7s since i was 15, im now 20. i own two rx7s, at this time, one was a daily driver and another is the project/money pit. the DD was totalled a little over a week ago by an illegal without insurance. i had liability, so i got screwed.

i had been debating getting a truck. after much research i decided the HB was the truck for me. after searching and searching i finally find a good deal on one. heres its specs:

1997 reg cab XE
5 speed 2WD
75k miles(yes its real, ive ran the carfax)
great paint, its custom and not that great, but the quality of the truck makes up for it
the owner has taken amazing care of it; all new front bushings, all new AC system(minus compressor), and already changed the timing belt to a chain

price: $3400

its in TN, 3 hours away, but well worth the trip to me. i get it thursday.

he told me after he changed the timing chain it started rattling on start up. that was the only time it did it, the first few seconds. after searching on here i very much so believe it is the tensioner. that is what he thought it was as well. when i get it i will be replacing the PCV and going with a nissan filter.

now i have a few questions:

lets say the tensioner is bad. with this low of miles how long would be safe to run it like it is until i change it? im a broke college kid so i cant really afford to have someone change it. i am mechanically inclined, but lack a lot of free time. when i do what it done i will probably go with a shop just so that if something were to go wrong with teh job, it wouldnt be my fault.

off hand question:

do you know of any other filter brands that carry the valve inside of them? from my rx7 experience i know mazda filters do. does anyone know if any of the aftermarket filters do? what about mobil1 or K&N? i usually run mobil1 filters and mobil1 oil.

thanks guys.

ill post pics when i get her home.

SPEEDO · Sep 27th, 2007, 10:42 AM

the sound might be bad lifters, they will quit making noise once the oil pressure comes up.
there are 4 different styles of lifters in that engine, (angled a little different) if your going to keep the truck you might consider replacing all of them...
back to the original question, did he replace the tensioner??

aws140 · Sep 27th, 2007, 06:05 PM

i went and picked up the truck today. he said he replaced everything with the timing chain when he did it. he said it all came in a kit; gears, chain, tensioner, etc.

if it is the lifters, wheres the best source for them? ill be buying a haynes manual on this truck asap. how soon should i be looking to change the lifters?

i plan on keeping the truck for as long as i can.

I Hate My User Name · Sep 27th, 2007, 08:52 PM

Btw, the manuals dont seem to be that great as far as I know. I paid 20 dollars for a Chilton on Hardbpdies and Pathfinders and was extremely dissatisfied..

aws140 · Sep 27th, 2007, 09:51 PM

ive never owned a chiltons, but from what ive seen/heard ill probably never own one. i stick with haynes, workshop manuals, and forums

SPEEDO · Sep 28th, 2007, 10:42 AM

try DDS distribution
east coast 440-572-0725
west coast 562-698-2688
they handle the oem manuals, I thought there was a place online you could down load one...
just becareful when replacing, that you get them in the right place

aws140 · Sep 28th, 2007, 10:45 AM

ill do a lot of research before i do it. im thinking about trying some sea foam in the crankcase when i do the oil change. let it run for a few minutes with the sea foam in there to see if itll loosen the stuck lifter up.

how long do you think itd be ok to run like this if i cant eliminate the problem? just so i can get an idea.

thanks

SPEEDO · Sep 29th, 2007, 02:42 PM

when the lifters start making noise its mainly because they are worn and start to loosen up and wont hold pressure, I suppose if the oil wasnt changed on a regular basis, sludge may build up and cause them to stick..

Oldnissanguy · Oct 1st, 2007, 09:51 PM

You can get an FSM at pahtg20.net.

Why not use Nissan filters?

aws140 · Oct 1st, 2007, 11:07 PM

^^ thanks. ill download the FSM.

i didnt say anything against nissan filters. i dont think i even mentioned them. i bought a purolater pureone without thinking about getting the nissan filter. i think ill be safe. after this ill stick to nissan filters.

marc780 · Oct 3rd, 2007, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Hate My User Name

Btw, the manuals dont seem to be that great as far as I know. I paid 20 dollars for a Chilton on Hardbpdies and Pathfinders and was extremely dissatisfied..

Chilton manuals are in my experience, poorly written and just bad. I stopped using them along time ago. I use Haynes manuals, they are about the best and sometimes even better than the factory manuals.