91 240sx KA noise from cams?????

[blk91240]

hey guys. i went to look at purchasing my 3rd 240 today... 108k on the motor and body, but it was stored for most of the winters, seeing driving it in the snow of ohio would be kinda difficult.... i fired the car up and there seems to be a clanking noise coming from the cams.... as soon as i pressed the gas and kept it at 1,500 rpms or more, it went away... when it returned to idle, the noise was still there: anyone have ideas as to what it could have been?

[slideways...]

timing chain rattle? lifter noise? i dont know what noise your talking about.

[blk91240]

im not sure thats why im asking: it was definitely coming from under the valve cover, towards the front, almost as if it was the cams themselves

[slideways...]

id look toward timing chain rattle. KAs have notoriously common problems with their timing chain tensioners. it may need replacing.

[blk91240]

how hard is that to do? and how much am i lookin at for repairs if i dont do it myself?

[slideways...]

not cheap if done by a shop, if your doing it yourself you may as well replace the chain, tensioner, guide, and check to see if the oil pump is in good shape. oh and get a new timing cover gasket and front main seal. as far as how hard? well you have to remove the water pump, fan/clutch, and whatever else on the front of the motor to get the timing cover off. after that its bolt off bolt on. and make sure you get someone who knows cars to make sure you dont mess up the timing.