Nissan Maxima: Maxima Change from Timing Belt to Timing Chain

"Greg Crowley" <net> wrote in message
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95 model year Maximas and newer all used timing chains. The chain should be
good for the life of the car provided routine oil changes.

The last Maximas with timing belts were 94 IIRC, and that was on the base
model GXE. The higher HP engine found in the SE had a chain.

Greg Crowley wrote:
 


Chains are nice, unless they have problems. A V engine or a DOHC engine is
more like to have chain problems than a single cam/inline SOHC engine
would.

IMHO a chain is great for the original owner who will probably sell the car
before the chain ever has a problem. You can install several belts for what
one chain job costs so for the second owner, you might to get to pay the
money the original owner saved by it having a chain! IMHO those early DOHC
Maxima's had several anoying/expecive engine issues, I'd go with the SOHC
if you are OK with their performace. Those engines easily go 250K with just
basic belt/oil changes
--

Steve

http://www.atlantaracing.com

"Steve T" <com> wrote in message
news:de... 
car 
what 
just 
As someone who owned one of those early DOHC Maximas, I agree. They also
had chain stretching problems along with the VTC.
 

1989-1991 all belt
1992-1994 dohc chain - sohc belt
1995-current all chain

"twaugh5" <net> wrote in message
news:zG13d.15$.. 
is 
DOHC 
SOHC 
also 

twaugh5 wrote: 
I think you and Steve T may be just a wee bit bitter with the 92-94
Maxima SE. Those Maximas had VTC issues. And you can see why that motor
was one of the shortest lived engines in Nissan's history. Check this
link out:

http://home.earthlink.net/~maxfaq/history.htm#Engines

Just 2 years. Starting with the 95 Maxima, their timing chains are
pretty much bullet proof. I've only seen at most 5 stories of 95+
maximas with timing chain problems. And I've seen allot of stories of
200,000 miles + 95 and later Maximas, too. Nissan's got the timing chain
down packed.

CD

Codifus wrote:

 


Reread the OP's post, he IS talking about buying an early DOHC Maxima. And
yes I've still seen problems with the chains/tensioners on the later cars,
just not as widespread. If they do fail, they are VERY expencive to repair.

--

Steve

http://www.atlantaracing.com