You are right- I did know about the chains needing replaced to prevent engine damages and maybe even the tensioner (later on), but I do not recall reading anything before about the "rails" and "upper guides". The tensioner is really what is in question now. I honestly do not remember alot about that either. The additional changing of the rails/guides seem to almost double the price of just having chains/tensioner replaced.

Also too- I am not really too concerned about the chains, because I was later led to believe (by several local shops) that the chains were OK if there was no rattling from the front of the engine- which there is not. Me finding out about the rails/guides needing to be changed out too seemed to surface after I bought the car and did futher investigating and that is when I found out that it was going to be about $500 or more additional. Sorry- I did not mean to upset anyone about that. That was not my intentions.

Actually, I can have the chain and tensioner replaced for $550. rather than $1000. Honestly though, I do not remember reading where it had to be changed every 100K. Personally, I think it seems crazy to have to change a chain that often- especially on a premium make of car... even timing belts last longer than that on lesser priced cars. I always thought a chain was supposed to last longer. I now nothing lasts forever, but even timing belts have a typical mileage interval of 60K up to 120K, depending upon the car/truck.

My dads 88' Nissan actually had 210K on the original timing belt before it was changed. We are sure, because my uncle had bought it brand new and he said he had never changed it. . $1000 seems like a lot for something only lasting 100K miles, but if they must.

Personally, I would not mind spending $500 or even $1000 for a new chain/tensioner, but not really an additional $500-1000 for rails/guides. Especially considering the miles on the car- who knows how long other parts of the engine will last? Knowing my luck- I would put in new chains/rails/tensioners/guides and something else would happen.

Lets just hope that it is not the tensioner causing this noise and it is something like the PS pump. Even when I changed the oil last month- after I started it with the new oil - it did not make this noise, which makes me think it may be something else. The sound came on too quickly I think, unless these things just start making this noise out of the blue, rather than gradually.

You are right too about buying a new car. I have seriously considered that, but I really like this car, so I think it best I just drive it until it stops going.

Thanks. Carry on.