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3.5L DOHC, USA. My daughter took car to reputable, trusted independent mechanic, complaining of clicking noise from engine compartment that had gotten worse in recent weeks. Mechanic says the noise is the timing chain, and the cost to is likely to run $1500-$2000, which is about what the car is worth and more $ than my daughter has at the moment. I assume what needs to be done is remove timing cover, and replace the timing chains, guides, gears,, and tensioners. I am wondering how doable this job is for a DIYer. I have swapped engines and transmissions, but I have never gotten into the timing innards of a DOHC engine like this. Should I attempt this job? I have heard there are potential pitfalls such as rounding TC bolts which I hear are really tight on this engine. There are also some who say that to do this, the engine really should come out; in which case I am not going to attempt this job. As always, any advice from those who have been there will be appreciated!
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I have an 01 Maxima with the 3.0 DOHC but its practically the same motor. Not gonna lie it was a pain in the ass considering your working in such a tight area. You don’t have to remove the engine (I didn’t) But it would make it so much easier. Basically all you gotta do is remove the engine mount on the cover. Remove all the bolts around the cover, loosen timing chain tensioner, remove the chain guide, then take it off. Theirs three chains, the big one then the two smaller ones for the heads, you’ll have to replace all three. Make sure you mark everything though or else you’ll mess up the timing and could damage the engine. And when you remove the engine mount make sure you have something supporting the engine or else it’ll fall. Hope this helped, good luck.
You should yes forgot about that. It’ll definitely help to get it to top dead center on #1. Mark the cam once its there and you should be good.
There’s a TSB on the VQ35 motors where the timing chain guide (firewall) side wears all the way through and the tensioner rubs against the chain. You can check to see if this tsb is relative to you by removing the camshaft sprocket cover closest to the firewall. There should be 3, 12mm bolts. Once you remove this get an inspection mirror and light and check to see if the tensioner plunger is completely out. If it is, then the tsb is relative. This job is a HUGE pain in the ass and I do not suggest doing it unless you are a tech. I’ve done two and the first one I had to do again because bank 1 cam advanced on me while reassembling, thus causing a check engine light lol… It sucked… If this is indeed what is wrong with your vehicle and you do end up doing it yourself, make sure you do it right the first time. Buy a manual. It will definitely help! Good luck!
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