KA24DE timing chain rattle from worn upper chain guide (1991-1994)
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What causes "KA24DE timing chain rattle from worn upper chain guide (1991-1994)" on the Nissan 240SX (S13, 1989-1994), and how is it fixed?
Plastic-backed timing chain guides wear and break up; broken pieces can upset timing or block oil passages, per a 2009 buying guide. Fix: Diagnose before buying.
Symptoms
A rattle from the front of the engine at cold start or idle.
Cause
Plastic-backed timing chain guides wear and break up; broken pieces can upset timing or block oil passages, per a 2009 buying guide.
Fix (summary)
Diagnose before buying. Owners remove the upper guide through the valve cover and often replace the tensioner while in there. For a full front-cover job, Nissan's NTB98-094 gives a revised procedure.
Related build entries
Other S13 problems
- Recall: front seat belt buckle release buttons can break (1989-1991)
- Rust: frame rails, strut towers, spare well and under the hatch spoiler
- Heads-up display (HUD) usually no longer works
- Pop-up headlight motors fail or stick
- Soft rear subframe bushings: clunks and wheel hop
- Sun-cracked dash and leaking sunroof or hatch seals
More for this car
- All Nissan 240SX (S13, 1989-1994) fitment answers · S13 common problems
- Newsletter archive: past issues with every new and corrected entry
Sources
- 240SX buying guide — NICO Club (Nissan enthusiast site; Dec 10, 2009) (editorial; read 2026-10-26; full page read)Rattle at idle can be the plastic-backed chain guides; pieces can break off.
- Garage guide: fixing the timing chain rattle (S13/S14 DOHC) — S-Chassis.com forums (2009) (forum thread; read 2026-10-26; full page read)60-90 minute guide-removal job; replace the tensioner while in there.
- Nissan bulletin NTB98-094 (EM98-006): KA24DE front cover / timing chain revised service procedure (Nov 15, 1998) — Nissan North America (technical bulletin); mirror on manualzz.com (mfr spec; read 2026-10-26; full page read)Revised front cover / timing chain service procedure, Nov 15, 1998.
Summaries are in our own words. Not repair instructions; consult the factory service manual.
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