Timing Chain Tensioner Issue

[Prob8]

Hi, guys. After almost 9 years of ownership, the dealer just told me my timing chain tensioner needs to be replaced on my 2003 MO. They quoted $3,300 for the job. With 111,000 miles on the car, I don't think I want to spend that kind loot to keep in going. Has anyone else had a quote recently on that repair?

If you were going to trade in the car, would you disclose this issue to the dealer? I feel like I should (as I don't want someone else to inherit a ticking time bomb), but it's going to kill the trade-in value.

I've had this car for so long I feel like a member of the family just received bad news at the doctor. What to do? Thoughts?

[hokey777]

"Let the buyer beware"

[nitely]

What symptoms are you experiencing? Rattling noise by the timing chain?

[Prob8]

There is a rattle noise at cold start. Sometimes, you don't hear it all. When you do hear it, it's usually a mild rattle. On a recent occasion, it was a major rattle that sounded like marbles dancing around in the engine. Not a pleasant sound.

I'm not sure whether the noise is coming from the timing chain. I have no mechanical background so I am relying on the dealer to diagnose the problem.

[nitely]

Originally Posted by Prob8

There is a rattle noise at cold start. Sometimes, you don't hear it all. When you do hear it, it's usually a mild rattle. On a recent occasion, it was a major rattle that sounded like marbles dancing around in the engine. Not a pleasant sound.

I'm not sure whether the noise is coming from the timing chain. I have no mechanical background so I am relying on the dealer to diagnose the problem.

I would check the easy one first. Like the idler pulley bracket have been know to split into two and make sorta similar rattling sound at the same general location of the timing chain area. --By the belts.--right side of engine.... once this happens there is a constant rattle--but not too loud.

[njjoe]

P8-

As I just mentioned in another post, get a second opinion from a reputable mechanic/garage before going further with the dealer.

-njjoe

[HVT]

Originally Posted by Prob8

Hi, guys. After almost 9 years of ownership, the dealer just told me my timing chain tensioner needs to be replaced on my 2003 MO. They quoted $3,300 for the job. With 111,000 miles on the car, I don't think I want to spend that kind loot to keep in going. Has anyone else had a quote recently on that repair?

If you were going to trade in the car, would you disclose this issue to the dealer? I feel like I should (as I don't want someone else to inherit a ticking time bomb), but it's going to kill the trade-in value.

I've had this car for so long I feel like a member of the family just received bad news at the doctor. What to do? Thoughts?

I'd keep my mouth shut. You won't be hurting the buyer since they're gonna end up with a warranty of some type if they buy it from a dealer.

[Prob8]

@ nitely and njjoe - Thanks, I'm in the process of locating another place for a second opinion but local mechanics have not inspired a lot of confidence in the past so I've been reluctant to use them for the MO.

@ Hokey777 and HVT - Interesting. I've had the same thoughts but it just feels wrong not to say something. I suppose when half the value of the car is potentially at risk, I should just shut my mouth and let the next owner deal with it. As nitely and njjoe said, it could be a misdiagnosis anyway.

[Pilgrim]

I wouldn't sell it directly to another person because I'm not willing to inflict problems on someone like that.

The car is old enough that no dealer will keep it around. It's a wholesale car that will end up on a low end car lot. I've sold cars, and this is one the Gypies will buy. Yes, Victoria, there are Gypsies and they run around in families, buying tired used cars.

Edmunds.com shows that a 2003 SE in average condition with no special add-ons is worth about $4800 cash on a trade. I don't think any dealer would actually repair it, they'd pass it along to a wholesaler as is.

This is a tough call, as I don't like passing problems along to anyone any more than the OP does. I think I'd stay mum and let the dealer make up their own minds as to the condition, knowing that it's not going to stay at any new car dealership but will be wholesaled right away. And I'd be happy to get anything over about $2000 cash. Trades do distort the value because they'll add in part of the markup on the car you buy tho show a higher value on your trade.

[turbizzy]

That is an incredibly high estimate to replace your timing chain tensioner and guides! Hell drive it to me and ill do it for half that! I don't see why they are charging you that high. Parts can't be more than a couple hundred bucks and yes, as much as it sucks to do timing chains inside the vehicle without pulling the motor, it is possible to do in the car. Are there other things that they're recommending too besides the tensioner that could be adding to the cost?

I wonder if they're also quoting you for a new rear timing chain cover too as the paper gasket in the oil passage up to the cam sprockets breaks and leaks pressure internally. You can't really tell this leaks until you take the front timing cover off first and check inside.

Did they give you a written estimate? How many hours of labor and whats their labor rate? Thats just absurd... even for CA dealers.

[KtG]

$3300? Really? Whats the labor rate/hours quoted?

This is a semi-common issue on VQs. There is a TSB covering Alt, Max, Quest and the VQ40 trucks. Ive only seen it on a few Muranos, but it does happen. Its approximately 4 hours of work with the revised procedure and special tools, and the Parts run about a grand. Secondary chains and tensioner shoes are required, and at higher mileages we may do Primary chain and its guide shoe as well.

Between this issue and the headgasket issue, Ive had more VQs apart than I can count. The cause is a combination of poor material choice and excessive oil change intervals.

[turbizzy]

With all due respect, im guessing your a nissan tech too, i haven't had any issues with the Murano's VQs having the secondary timing chain tensioner shoe issue. I've only seen the primary chain tensioner guide break causing the flapping chain.

I've actually got an 04 Quest apart right now that the same problem happened and the crankshaft sprocket actually jumped timing (5 teeth!) and bent 2 exhaust valves on the number 2 cylinder.

And yeah, from what i hear they may start recalling the new VQs and replacing the headbolts with updates as they think the bolts aren't tight enough. I love VQ headgaskets, money!

[KtG]

I think ive done 2 muranos compared to the dozens of the others. Very obvious over runs of the oil in both cases. lots of varnish and sludge. Havent had one jump teeth yet though. Thats pretty bad.

I lost count of the gasket jobs at 30. That was in May. A year ago, I was doing 3 a week. So far, they are holding just fine. Pretty obvious coming apart that some bolts didnt get torqued right. That said, they want to recall them for new bolts, I am down for the gravy. My best time is 7 hours, usually 8.5-9.

[turbizzy]

Wow your a beast. I suppose if I weren't bsing around and had all my parts ready and no interruptions i could do better than my 10 hours. But an hourly shop has a tendency to slow ya down lol, that and the constant interruptions since im the only master tech on certain days.

But yea, that was what i heard from one of our trainers, the head bolts are stretching prematurely. I always replace the bolts anyway but the other day another tech was doing the job and reusing the headbolts and told me he was having trouble reaching the 72ft lbs initial torque as the bolt kept stretching and best torque he could achieve was about 60ftlbs. I told him to replace all the bolts no matter what.

[KtG]

What can I say, I look at the truck and the engine just falls out! I have only found maybe 5 bolts that were out of spec coming out, and I always get my 72ft/lbs.

Back on topic, any clue what sphincter they pulled the $3300 from? A customer pay job comes in ~$1800 here @$82/hr.