When should we check our timing chains? Just to check them is an ordeal in of itself. I know timing belts are usually around 60k miles (100k kms). I'm around 70k miles now, and just getting it out of storage and sending it to the shop for routine maintenance. Should I have it checked? For now, I'm saying no. But, when should I check it?

(Apologies as I know this has been discussed a million times, and I've read a lot, but haven't come up with a clear understanding of timing chains.)

 

Just get the chains,water pump n coolant replaced under 100k.might be a good time to also replace chain guides that wear,I think they come with the timing chain as a kit.Just what i would do.

 

Let's get this straight: Nissan timimg chains usually last for the life of the engine and do NOT require replacement. These components are dependent on a supply of fresh, clean oil, so changing the engine oil/filter on a regular basis becomes the critical maintenance task. VQ engines that are being rebuilt due to wear or performance reasons might benefit from a new timing chain, but there's really no other reason to replace one.

 

Thanks both for your thoughts.

I have stayed on top of my oil changes and I believe the previous owners have as well. I am the third owner and I know the details of the second owner.

I change the oil and oil filter every 5,000 miles and every winter storage. So I believe these parts dependent on clean oil should be fine.

The one issue that scared me was my car was overheating at idle when I took it out of storage. I fixed the issue, or rather it fixed itself, by driving it around. It appeared to have been air-lock in the radiator coolant fluid. Because the storage facility forgot to unhook the battery, I had to recharge it, which I did by idling. Just due to the circumstances that day, I could not drive it long enough to recharge a completely drained battery. Anyway, I am having the fluids replaced, and the water pump checked (and battery now too). All happening this Friday or next Monday. I could have the timing chain checked, but that's a job in of itself.

P.S. Details on my overheat scenario here, if anyone cares:
https://my350z.com/forum/maintenance...es-videos.html

 

There's no easy way to "check" the timing chain. But you could use a code reader to see if any codes are held in memory. Trying to count the flashes can lead to errors, but your onboard diagnostics are much more sophisticated that that.

 

Exactly, I know. The engine has to come apart to some degree (to check the timing chain).

I should pick up a reader. It helps remove so much guessing.

 

I guess in theory the chains are suppose to last a long time but i guarantee it will slightly stretch, guides will have wear and the water pumps eventually weap through the weap hole they are designed with. If you look up vq35de chains or timing on youtube, you'll find videos regarding chains being changed out and water pumps being changed out for noise due to worn guides, water pump seals leaking. I guess you'll could let it ride but if you were going in timing cover you might as well do the chain,guides and water pump or at least the 2 water pump seals if you didn't want to spend money on the whole pump,although the cover doesn't have to be removed for the water pump. Thats just what i would do,If i had a engine with that many miles.

 

It's more than theory, Nissan used timing chains on engines for durability. They're quite different than timing belts. Examine the FSM and owners manual and you'll find there is NO requirement to change the timing chain. There are plenty of Z owners on this board with more than 100K that haven't changed their timing chains and the OP has only 70K miles on his VQ.

Sure, if you had excessive noise or other signs of wear from these components you might have to change them, but outside of any of these signs, it's a waste of time and money.

 

timing chain doesn't need changed.

 

I'm about to roll over to 114k miles. I say don't replace the chain unless it gives you issues.

If it wasn't an 18 hour job I wouldn't be so against it.

 

157k and have never removed valve covers. I put 250 miles on mine last Saturday, 26 of those miles were to and from the track. I'm not easy on my car at all.

 

terrasmak,

I love this!

What wing do you have on your car?

I have begun to track my car. Small track, 20..27 second laps depending on the car. Check out the cars and times (noticed the supercharged Mustangs and Subaru BRZ/Scion FRS's):
http://xona.com/2014/10/21.html

Two bottlenecks I noticed were:
1) Brake fade with burning smell after only 5 laps (about 2 minutes of laps). I have a 2006 base model.
2) Low traction on the rear wheels during cornering. I have 70 lbs weight reduction in the trunk.

I would like is track-ready brakes (Brembos?) and a rear spoiler that is functional. I considered a Nismo V1, but not sure what down force it produces. Plus, I love the look of a true track spoiler like yours.

 

Timing chains have been on cars since the beginning of the internal combustion engine. The timing belt was as aberration that began in the 1980's and continues on some cars to this day. I could be wrong, but I think fewer and fewer cars are coming with timing belts now. Until the advent of the timing belt, no one even thought about changing the timing chain. The chains were always designed to last the life of the engine.

 

KornerCarver, excellent. Good to know the history. Very interesting too.

 

True but chains do stretch. Sure the timing chain probably doesn't have as much torque on it as a motorcycle chain would, but it's still a possibility.

Timing chains used to be this long, so there isn't a whole lot to worry about. It would take a LOT of stretch to cause a problem.



With a chain this long there is more room for error. With wear happening on the guides combined with chain stretch you could eventually run into issues but I don't see it happening before 200k, but it should outlast the engine. At least they have auto tensioners on them.



The biggest advantage we have is the routing. I'm glad they didn't do it like this.

 

92K1500, thank you for that breakdown. You guys are brilliant and helpful. It's amazing how long the chains are. Double the length, half the stretch for the same overall loosening, I would imagine.