[ieathondas]

i have a 96 nissan 200sx with 114,000 miles on it. the oil light went on two days ago and wont go off, the front of the engine where the timing chain is located is making noises. i was told by a mechanic that the oil pump went and will be around $800 - 1000 to fix. what do you guys think?

 

[maroonsentra]

i have a 96 nissan 200sx with 114,000 miles on it. the oil light went on two days ago and wont go off, the front of the engine where the timing chain is located is making noises. i was told by a mechanic that the oil pump went and will be around $800 - 1000 to fix. what do you guys think?

I think your mechanic is an idiot. Most likely the timing chain. Does it make the noise on the passenger side of the car? Under the valve cover? What are your oil levels? Did you check oil pressure? If you have oil pressure, then you'll know your pump is okay. You have pretty low miles for this motor. Some guys hit over 400k miles and never change the oil pump. The timing chain tensioners are issues on these cars, so I'd say your problem lies within the chain.

 

[rogoman]

If the idiot light stays on all the time, then basically you have little or no oil pressure. This causes the timing chain tensioner to stop working; now the chain starts to whip thus making the noise you hear.

Don't continue to run the motor as major damage will occur to the rod/main bearings along with the chain jumping teeth and bending the valves.

You can check the pressure very easily by installing a temporary mechanical oil pressure gauge. You would remove the oil sensor which is located near the oil filter and install the mechanical oil pressure gauge in it's place.

The pressure should be as follows:
idle - at least 11 psi

 

[sinning]

YEAH!!!!! what they said lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[maroonsentra]

If the idiot light stays on all the time, then basically you have little or no oil pressure. This causes the timing chain tensioner to stop working; now the chain starts to whip thus making the noise you hear.

Don't continue to run the motor as major damage will occur to the rod/main bearings along with the chain jumping teeth and bending the valves.

You can check the pressure very easily by installing a temporary mechanical oil pressure gauge. You would remove the oil sensor which is located near the oil filter and install the mechanical oil pressure gauge in it's place.

The pressure should be as follows:
idle - at least 11 psi

Just like I said, check the oil pressure. It's the only way you'll know for sure.

 

[ieathondas]

mhm

thanks a lot for everyones replies! i changed my oil pump and the car ran good for a while, then i floored it a few times and the car is back to doing the exact same thing again. i hooked an oil pressure gauge up to it and its getting no oil pressure at all. im not sure whats wrong please help!

 

[maroonsentra]

thanks a lot for everyones replies! i changed my oil pump and the car ran good for a while, then i floored it a few times and the car is back to doing the exact same thing again. i hooked an oil pressure gauge up to it and its getting no oil pressure at all. im not sure whats wrong please help!

How does the timing chain look?

 

[IanH]

thanks a lot for everyones replies! i changed my oil pump and the car ran good for a while, then i floored it a few times and the car is back to doing the exact same thing again. i hooked an oil pressure gauge up to it and its getting no oil pressure at all. im not sure whats wrong please help!

What parts did you replace and what parts did you re-use?

Did you get a new front cover ?
What about the Oil regulator parts ?

 

[IanH]

Did you check the clearance per the FSM before re-assembly ?

 

[IanH]

 

[rogoman]

thanks a lot for everyones replies! i changed my oil pump and the car ran good for a while, then i floored it a few times and the car is back to doing the exact same thing again. i hooked an oil pressure gauge up to it and its getting no oil pressure at all. im not sure whats wrong please help!

Did you install a new O-ring between the timing cover and the block? Also is the oil pickup clean and secured to the oil pump with a new gasket?

 

[ieathondas]

i replaced the whole frint cover, it had the oil pump built into it i changed the gaskets. i got the engine to calm down a bit, i put sludge eater in it. the oil was starting to go through the oil line to my gauge a bit when i revved the engine, but its not strong enough to make pressure. i'm going to change the upper and lower timing chain tensioner. thanks again for replies!

 

[IanH]

did you check the oil regulator ( pressure regulator) ???

 

[ieathondas]

the sensor next to the oil filter? yeah i replaced it with a oil pressure gauge

 

[IanH]

the sensor next to the oil filter? yeah i replaced it with a oil pressure gauge

No the pressure regulator.
It in the front case.
i will see if i can find it and post a diagram

 

[IanH]

 

[IanH]

The above implies the Front cover comes with a new regulator assembly.
did you see the comment about the pick up and O ring above ?

 

[ieathondas]

oh

i changed the whole front cover of the car, so all that was new. could it be a blockage or my main bearings?

 

[IanH]

If I had have no Oil pressure i would dismantle the front cover, check the pump, pressure release, o ring, pump drive spacer, and Oil pick up.
Clean everything including the Sump, and reassemble.
Then check for Oil pressure !!!
You really shouldn't assume that what you buy is all good to go. I purchased a new pump from the stealer ship ( not Nissan) and its clearances were worse than the 15 yr old one I took off.
Learn't a lesson that day.
I have used various flush products and realize they are risky, but if you Know you have a sludged up engine it may be worth a try, you dont have much to lose at this point.

 

[ieathondas]

thank you very much for all of the information, but i think this pump might have callapsed after getting clogged like the other did. i think im going to either replace this engine or get another 200sx