[motocopter]

Does anyone have pictures to post of a bad tensioners and cam chains? I'm trying to find out what causes the noise that prompts the replacement of these parts.

Thanks in advance.

I see these now.

http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e155/ballon78/Nissan Timing Tensioners/

 

[rdrfronty]

I understand its the shoes for the secondary timing chain tensioners that the chain wears through and eventually gets to the metal plunger under the shoe. I just picked up a pair for $10 so I would have them on hand for my cam swap if needed.

 

[Avplayer]

thanx for the pix

 

[00 FRONTIER]

Also note that its not just the timing chain guides that are the issue, but the timing chain itself that is too sharp and cutting into the guides.

 

[Clint]

I believe when they stamped the links when they were made, they weren't clean cut on the edges and they were sharp from the beginning.

Clint

 

[motocopter]

Thanks guys. Now I really understand what is going on and certainly understand the fustration over this topic. The parts are rinky-dink for sure. Even the new ones.

Thought to do the repair myself but maybe I really don't want to get into it. I'm at 58K+ miles now and if the noise doesn't start before I hit the 60k miles, I'll need to formulate a plan. $1400-$1800 would make a nice down payment on something else.

It is really too bad. I came from a problematic Silverado and now this labor intensive repair. Anyway..... thanks again guys.

 

[rdrfronty]

Here is a image of my old tensioner shoes and my new ones. The old ones had 24,000 miles. And in case anybody wasn't aware, I just changed them for safety sakes, since I'm doing cams, not because they were bad. I noticed a little wear on mine, but not too much. At the rate mine were wearing, I'm sure they would have lasted me 100K or so. As a note I do run Mobil 1, might make a little difference on how quickly they wear.

 

[motocopter]

I give my truck really good service and it too gets synthetics so it looks like my tensioner will go bad after the 60k mile mark. Oh well. Sure would like to see some solid guides from the aftermarket if Nissan isn't going to do it. Heck, I could probably fabricate my own if I had a block of high-quality teflon.

 

[latinmaxima]

So question then. What are the chances of the chain being smoothed on the inside edge? Is it possible to reduce wear any?

 

[00 FRONTIER]

Not sure if it gives anyone any comfort, but its my understanding that with the revised TSB its down to about $1200 or so.

And to OP, I wouldnt sweat it. There are some owners with well over 100k and havent heard a peep. There is actually someone I believe on a Xterra forum with around 185k and hasnt had an issue. You could be one of the lucky ones. Just keep your ear out for the noise. Some owners even get lucky and if they are just a few thousand miles over the dealer will still "goodwill" the repair.

 

[steve500]

Cross your fingers and tell your truck you love it every time you drive.


I did this with my rodeo a few times ... 70k miles ago the fuel pump quit working... like a piece of sand was stuck in it or something, just would NOT budge! Checked the relays, checked the fuel pump fuse, checked the battery level, ... no go. . . Luckily it was only sitting in my driveway.

Went to bed that night thinking "no WAY!.. that thing never lets me down! it won't let me down this time! imposssssible!!! "

The next morning I jumped in it pretending that it didn't have a problem, turned the key on and... Whirrrrrrrr. .... WOOOOOOO ..! fuel pump worked. 70k miles later at about 130K miles.. , no problems, no failures, love that thing, runs smooth, strong, like a bat outa hell... If anything goes down on my truck, I'll just deny it every time the following night before I go to bed.

 

[Clint]

Cross your fingers and tell your truck you love it every time you drive.


I did this with my rodeo a few times ... 70k miles ago the fuel pump quit working... like a piece of sand was stuck in it or something, just would NOT budge! Checked the relays, checked the fuel pump fuse, checked the battery level, ... no go. . . Luckily it was only sitting in my driveway.

Went to bed that night thinking "no WAY!.. that thing never lets me down! it won't let me down this time! imposssssible!!! "

The next morning I jumped in it pretending that it didn't have a problem, turned the key on and... Whirrrrrrrr. .... WOOOOOOO ..! fuel pump worked. 70k miles later at about 130K miles.. , no problems, no failures, love that thing, runs smooth, strong, like a bat outa hell... If anything goes down on my truck, I'll just deny it every time the following night before I go to bed.

I had a 1985, 1987, 1989 Isuzu P'ups and all were great trucks. Then I found NISSAN and haven't looked back.

Clint

 

[motocopter]

Not sure if it gives anyone any comfort, but its my understanding that with the revised TSB its down to about $1200 or so.

And to OP, I wouldnt sweat it. There are some owners with well over 100k and havent heard a peep. There is actually someone I believe on a Xterra forum with around 185k and hasnt had an issue. You could be one of the lucky ones. Just keep your ear out for the noise. Some owners even get lucky and if they are just a few thousand miles over the dealer will still "goodwill" the repair.

Double-ot, I'm with you on the advice. Just to gather some more info, I went to the local dealer to enquire about an extended warrenty - $1525-1800. Then to the service department to check on repair cost. That particular service writter mentioned he has only seen two vehicles need that repair - one was a Pathfinder with over 100k miles. So, he tells showed me the hours to perform for which I understood 9.3 hours and at $88/hr - over $800 in labor. Didn't price the parts but he said the gear and chains run $900. Hmmm.........

More than likely I'll just keep going about my way. Take care of the truck as I have been - and continue enjoying the truck like all get-out. If and when the problem come up, the decision will be to perform myself to pick a dealer to do the repair.

 

[00 FRONTIER]

Double-ot, I'm with you on the advice. Just to gather some more info, I went to the local dealer to enquire about an extended warrenty - $1525-1800. Then to the service department to check on repair cost. That particular service writter mentioned he has only seen two vehicles need that repair - one was a Pathfinder with over 100k miles. So, he tells showed me the hours to perform for which I understood 9.3 hours and at $88/hr - over $800 in labor. Didn't price the parts but he said the gear and chains run $900. Hmmm.........

More than likely I'll just keep going about my way. Take care of the truck as I have been - and continue enjoying the truck like all get-out. If and when the problem come up, the decision will be to perform myself to pick a dealer to do the repair.

I think labor is down to around 5 hours or so. Parts seem a little pricey too. He probably hasnt seen the latest TSB or paid much attn to it if he hasnt done too many of these repairs.

I called dealers in my area and all but one said the problem is not very common and they have only seen a handful. The one dealer that has seen the problem says it is very common and will happen to all Frontiers at some point in time.

 

[Avplayer]

I think labor is down to around 5 hours or so. Parts seem a little pricey too. He probably hasnt seen the latest TSB or paid much attn to it if he hasnt done too many of these repairs.

I called dealers in my area and all but one said the problem is not very common and they have only seen a handful. The one dealer that has seen the problem says it is very common and will happen to all Frontiers at some point in time.

so then the real question is...should everyone get the extended warranty?

 

[oldrunner48]

Class action lawsuit regarding timing chain guides

I just laid out $1420.00 to replace my timing chain guides and I am angry.

The link below is to a lawyer who is heading up a class action lawsuit regarding the transmission failures we are all hearing about. He has also expressed an interest in adding the timing chain guide failure as a sub group to the above mentioned lawsuit. Please, anyone who has had timing chain guide problems or tranny problems, contact him.
I know class action lawsuits work because I just got a letter from Nissan doubling the warranty on my 2007 Murano CVT tranny. They will also reminburse repair costs.

[email protected]

 

[5trap]

Not sure if it gives anyone any comfort, but its my understanding that with the revised TSB its down to about $1200 or so.

And to OP, I wouldnt sweat it. There are some owners with well over 100k and havent heard a peep. There is actually someone I believe on a Xterra forum with around 185k and hasnt had an issue. You could be one of the lucky ones. Just keep your ear out for the noise. Some owners even get lucky and if they are just a few thousand miles over the dealer will still "goodwill" the repair.

I hear what your saying.... but for someone that maintains the truck religously, it is very discouraging when you have to do the repair regardless. I was trying to find out where I read that Nissan used Cam Chains made in the USA, instead of ones made in Japan. Well, I just had mine done with the above mentioned repairs and I saved all my old parts. Guess what the chain said USA.... I can't believe that the teflon guides are defective because if you look at the face area of the guides where it wears out it is perfectly centered.... I believe that the chain cuts into the guide. Oh and FYI the other teflon guide is in perfect condition...

I'll put up some pics after I get off work tomorrow morning......

 

[lowEnuff]

wow this sucks to hear, hopefully I be a lucky one IU heard some noise coming from the engine like about 2 months ago one morning and was not happy with that, luckly i stopped but now I am reading this and Im like oh no.! But Ill cross my fingures good luck to all with the Fronties

 

[1stNISSAN]

Not sure if it gives anyone any comfort, but its my understanding that with the revised TSB its down to about $1200 or so.

And to OP, I wouldnt sweat it. There are some owners with well over 100k and havent heard a peep. There is actually someone I believe on a Xterra forum with around 185k and hasnt had an issue. You could be one of the lucky ones. Just keep your ear out for the noise. Some owners even get lucky and if they are just a few thousand miles over the dealer will still "goodwill" the repair.

i get no comfort from a $1800 going down to a $1200 bill. When i had the engine whine, at 65,000 miles, from the timing chains i was going to sell the truck and buy a used 2006 tundra. Luckily for nissan, the service rep hooked it up and fixed it for free.