Nissan Sentra Question....timing belt or timing chain?

[Scarpozzi]

A friend of mine has a 96 sentra. I know the altimas have timing chains, but I don't remember what the sentras have on them. Anyone know?

 

[BigSmooth]

They also use a chain IIRC.

 

Chain

 

[Scarpozzi]

Thanks. I'll tell her to get a timing belt for it then. 😉

 

Chains do not need replacement on a scheduled basis, you only need to replace them if they are damaged, making noise or you are rebuilding the engine.

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: Roger
Chains do not need replacement on a scheduled basis, you only need to replace them if they are damaged, making noise or you are rebuilding the engine.

what kinda noise does it make ?

 

If you hear clacking noises, banging or whipping sounds coming from the timing chain cover, there is most likely some kind of damage to either the chain, guides, sprockets or tensioner.


Edit ;

If you hear these noises on a cold start up but it disappears immediately or when the engine warms up, the tensioner has gone bad. (It's hydraulically controlled by oil pressure)

 

[Lifer]

Originally posted by: Roger
If you hear clacking noises, banging or whipping sounds coming from the timing chain cover, there is most likely some kind of damage to either the chain, guides, sprockets or tensioner.

would it be too late by the time you hear those noises? or is that kind of an early warning system that damage is imminent?

 

would it be too late by the time you hear those noises? or is that kind of an early warning system that damage is imminent?

If you hear these noises but the engine seems to still run fine, no damage has occured, but it would be wise to check it out, you do not want a broken timing chain 😉

 

[Vette73]

The sentra's are known to take out the timing cover real fast when the noise starts. So if you hear something get it looked at. I did one where they drove it for 3 weeks. By the time it got to me it was leaking oil from teh HOLE in the cover.