[silvercedar]

Can’t Nissan build a decent chain adjuster??

I am very disappointed in Nissan. I purchased a 98 Frontier 4x2, 4 cyl brand new. I gave it the very best of care. After only 160K miles the lower timing chain adjuster failed. The adjuster is a curved aluminum part with a plastic piece, not even bonded to it that the chain rubs against. The plastic piece wore thru to the aluminum and caused the unit to fail. I had to tear the engine down removing oil pan, front covers etc. to get to the chain and adjuster. This repair will cost me hundreds of dollars and much of my limited time. The dealer wanted $1750 to repair this, and their mechanics have seen this a number of times before.

When I look at the adjuster that failed I think what a krappy built part that is. For such a critical part, couldn’t Nissan build something of quality? The plastic piece is only held to the aluminum by plastic tabs. The wear through point was on the top where the adjuster plunger pushes against it. Like there is too much pressure there?

I think the expectation for Japanese motors is that you should get at least 300K miles with any care at all. Maybe belts, alternators or such but not the main engine to fail. I might as well have bought a damn Ford.

Seems the company should at least offer a replacement part that is upgraded? I have to replace with the same poorly engineered part. I wanted to keep this truck till I die, but I guess I’ll have to sell it and find something else, as I’ll wonder when the adjuster will fail again. Has anyone else had this problem?

 

[FitzIngarage]

< After only 160K miles the lower timing chain adjuster failed >

Hopefully you'll reach 320,000 Miles before this happens again. I dunno, but I'd be expecting some expensive headaches if I had a vehicle in your mileage range. Heck, some of us have had expensive headaches with vehicles with half of your milage. <g>

 

[silvercedar]

Thanks for the replies. I'm just having sour grapes. I've had other Nissans and toyotas that went 350K without major problems. I did change the oil every 3K. I have been using Castrol GTX. Maybe a synthetic oil would be better? I really like this truck though and will keep it after I fix it. Mostly. I just wonder if I could figure out why this happened? Or if others have had similiar experiences. Since the curved lower chain adjuster wore through at the top by the plunger and not evenly through the whole curve, it makes me wonder if the pressure was too great by the plunger and spring. I think oil pressure pushes on it too. I don't know - seems there must be reasons for things?
Thanks SM

 

[Sartor]

Is your oil getting to the tensioner?

Thanks for the replies. I'm just having sour grapes. I've had other Nissans and toyotas that went 350K without major problems. I did change the oil every 3K. I have been using Castrol GTX. Maybe a synthetic oil would be better? I really like this truck though and will keep it after I fix it. Mostly. I just wonder if I could figure out why this happened? Or if others have had similiar experiences. Since the curved lower chain adjuster wore through at the top by the plunger and not evenly through the whole curve, it makes me wonder if the pressure was too great by the plunger and spring. I think oil pressure pushes on it too. I don't know - seems there must be reasons for things?
Thanks SM

Check your oil journals that lube up the chain/guide.... there may be one clogged up that caused the chain/guide not to get lubed.

 

[1fstmax]

seems like a fluke...

the original engine in my frontier went for 226k before calling it quits. This engine was not treated nice, it had some hard miles. When it let go, the headgasket went.

anyways.. kinda ot.. a few months back I bought a nice 2004 ferd exploder with a 4.6 in it. And it had the same problem as you're describing. The guides were worn through right down to the metal. Come to find out, it's a common prblem, yet ferd has not issued a recall on it. lame imo.

Also yotas with the 22r i believe have this problem too. easy fix imo..