im having a rattling noise on cold starts as well as under load around 1,500-3,000 rpms also once i let off the pedal it rattles there as well. i’ve started to have it during idle so i took it to a shop and they told me it’s my galley gaskets, worn out tensioners/tensioner guides causing timing chain to slap. they quoted me around 4,000 so i think i will try to do it myself. do i just replace the galley gaskets, tensioners/tensioner guides, and timing chain and while i’m in there water pump or what else needs to be done? is it possible to do without pulling the engine? just taking off the whole front end is my guess. any and all help is appreciated. i have an 06 z by the way

 

https://www.nissan-techinfo.com/asis.../S/V/1SV34.PDF

 

I've never heard of the gallery gasket issue effecting the VQ35DEs, but I suppose it's possible. The timing chain/guides/tensioner is the most likely issue. If you have a higher mileage Z, the chain has worn (stretched), the guides are also worn. It's recommended to replace the entire timing set every 150k mi as good practice. $4k is a steep price, but the work involved is extensive. I'm not sure what book time is on a job like this, but I would guess in the realm of 10-12 hrs (possibly more). Average shop labor rates here in CA is $160.00/hr. If all OEM parts are used, I could easily see the price tag approaching the 4k mark. Don't forget this job requires the coolant to be drained, oil drained, front end and top end of engine dismantled, also front end of car (radiator + fans at a minimum). This is one job I could tackle, but would definitely give me some anxiety. I've done V6 timing sets before on other engines (VG30DETT, and VW/Audi 2.7TT), but those were both belt driven instead of chain, easier IMO for the simple fact that you don't need to re-seal/RTV the entire timing case and worry about oil leaks.

There's videos out there on doing this job, or at least portions of it (water pump or gallery gaskets). Start digging there and familiarize yourself with the tools and parts required. Note: If you have an 06 with the 6MT, then you have the Revup version of the VQ35DE. If you have an 06 with the AT, then you have the standard VQ35DE. There might be some parts differences when it comes to the timing components. Use your VIN to verify when in doubt, I highly recommend using genuine OEM parts for this.
Good Luck!
-Icer

 

I have a two buddies that work at different nissans (actually one works at infiniti) and they quoted 16hrs at like $140/hr. I did this on a buddies HR and it was a solid 20 to 22 hours from start to finish. I can see both jobs together reaching $4k. It's a ton of work getting the front of the car off.

Yea, sorta what Icer said ... I would only attempt this if you have a solid depth of knowledge and experience with engines ... I'll be the first to admit the DE is an easy engine to work on and 2/3rds of the work is entry to intermediate level work but the 1/3rd is advanced to master mechanic with disassembling the timing chain / cam gears (especially since youre a rev up), then resetting timing, and getting everything back together.

One thing that makes this job very difficult - as it relates to the timing chain cover - is that re-sealing the timing cover around the crank shaft (front seal) is that to really do it right you need to drop the oil pan ... to drop the oil pan you have to support the engine (usually from the top with a boom hoist or chain hoist) and take the subframe off. Which requires you to disassemble most the front suspension (and be happy that your setup isnt AWD).

Let us know if you take it on and do a build thread ...