Nissan Repair: Nissan Maxima 2002, Japan built, panama city panama, pacific nissan

Question
Hello Von Sudderth,
I own 2002 Nissan Maxima, VQ30 (DE), I was told , built in Japan. I own this car for little more then 1 year, with 128K only when I moved to Panama City, Panama. About 2 months ago I start hearing knocking noices when I excelerate, and immediatelly atributed that noice to faulty timing belt, but the friend told that this car has no belt, rather chain, and the chains usually do not need to be replaced. I agreed, and looked for knock sensor replacement. In Panama City, we have a problem with parts, but, never the less I got the only 1 that the dealership had, installed it and happy to drive, but the problem did not go away. So, my guess is back to timing chain.
Ilooked on the internet for the timing chain and found out, that there is a variety of sets. How can I make sure which one is the one without taking it apart. This is my only car today, & I need it for work.

Thank you in advance.

Respectfully,

Alex Ashurov

Answer
Alex,

You have a Japan build (Pacific) Nissan.  Yours is not in the United States database.  I have one, a 2000 Maxima SE that was made in Japan, delivered in Hawaii and eventually ended up in the United States.  Anyway, you need to get the code read on the computer and email it to me.  You have several things that can be wrong.  One would be the knock sensor, the other is the coils and third would be the variable valve timing.  There has to be someone down there with an OBDII code reader so you can get the codes read from the car.  The connector is under the dash, driver's side.  Second, I would try to source parts from either rockauto.com or courtesyparts.com as both are great sources and they are really reasonable on price.