Maxima Change from Timing Belt to Timing Chain

I am looking at buying a used Maxima around 1999 or 2000. Can someone please advise when the timing belt switched to a timing chain in the Maxima. Also, is there any scheduled maintenance required on a timing chain? Is it worth going to a later model year when buying used to avoid the belt?

Reply to
Greg Crowley
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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.

Reply to
Dave Stone

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

Reply to
Steve T

As someone who owned one of those early DOHC Maximas, I agree. They also had chain stretching problems along with the VTC.

Reply to
twaugh5
1989-1991 all belt 1992-1994 dohc chain - sohc belt 1995-current all chain
Reply to
gary

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:

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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

Reply to
Codifus

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.

Reply to
Steve T

1999-2000 is early DOHC? I think there's a bit of a mixup here, but I can see from your post that we're on the same page.

CD

Reply to
Codifus

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