KA24DE timing chain rattle from worn upper chain guide
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What causes "KA24DE timing chain rattle from worn upper chain guide" on the Nissan 240SX (S14, 1995-1998), and how is it fixed?
Same KA24DE as the 1991-1994 S13: plastic-backed chain guides wear and break up. Fix: Owners remove the upper guide and often replace the tensioner.
Symptoms
A rattle from the front of the engine at cold start or idle.
Cause
Same KA24DE as the 1991-1994 S13: plastic-backed chain guides wear and break up.
Fix (summary)
Owners remove the upper guide and often replace the tensioner. Nissan's NTB98-094 covers the revised front cover procedure.
Related build entries
Other S14 problems
- Recall: brake warning lamp may not light when fluid is low (1995)
- Rust: frame rails, strut towers, spare well and wheel arches
- Soft subframe and diff bushings: clunks and wheel hop
- Not every S14 is 5-lug: the Base is 4x114.3
- No NHTSA recalls returned for 1996-1998
- Power window regulators wear out
More for this car
- All Nissan 240SX (S14, 1995-1998) fitment answers · S14 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)
- Garage guide: fixing the timing chain rattle (S13/S14 DOHC) — S-Chassis.com forums (2009) (forum thread; read 2026-10-26; full page read)
- 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)
Summaries are in our own words. Not repair instructions; consult the factory service manual.
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