Timing chain or timing belt? 93 Altima

I have a 93 Altima that runs ruff when it starts. Someone told me it was a worn timing chain. If this car has a timing chain, how hard will it be to replace? I'm not up to speed on the cars with front wheel drive.

The car has a lot of zip and runs good except for the vib. It seems to lessen as it worms up but never completely goes away. Also it leaks oil. Could a worn timing chain wear a hole in a timing chain cover?

I know timing belts are not inside the engine where it would get oily but a "timing chain" is bathed in oil and is internal.

Any post will help!

Thanks for looking.
hh

 

Must be a chain; the manual on the Gates site does not list a belt.

How many miles on the car? Frankly I seriously doubt you have a timing chain problem. Yes, timing chains have been known to wear holes in their covers, but more likely you simply have a seal somewhere (crank seal would be prime suspect) that is worn.

Have all of your routine preventive maintenance items been replaced anytime recently? Plugs, plug wires, fuel filter, air filter?

 

That has a timing chain. I would say a reasonably complicated DIY job. I would make sure it's the timing chain before tearing it apart. A timing chain will run a lot of miles before it needs replacing.

Tune it up and get any fault codes pulled, check the engine vacuum and compression which would indicate valve timing problems that would relate to a worn timing chain. Check the water temp sensor and 02 sensor - either could be acting up and not terribly expensive to replace.

This should get you started.

Hope this helps,

Bob

 

Unless I am missing something here, from the old days - isn't an easy test to check for timing chain slop - to simply open up a distributor and manually rotate the crankshaft back and forth and see if there is a delay in the movement of the distributor's rotor? Delay would = slop.

 

Thanks for all the info.

This '93 Altima has 183000+ miles

Engine Type: 2.4L V DOHC

BTW which repair manual would be the best to buy.

I haven't decided to fix it yet, but I know if I try to sell it the way it is, I will not get near as much for it as I would if it is fixed.

Thanks to all posts and keep them coming my way.

HH in OKC

 

If it was badly worn on a single cam it would show, but with a dual cam you have a lot of the run of the chain between the cams plus an allowance for the gear meshing.

It would take a Tow Guy to read that one.

 

Also, I don't know right off the top of my head if that engine uses a distributor.

Check autozone.com's on-line repair info; it may be enough for you. Otherwise Haynes, Chilton's, or purchase a subscription at AllData.com.