Thread: Does this timing chain look stretched?

This isn't a SR20, but a quite similar CG10. Having problems with my DD, and here's the full thread for the interested: Help me solve my idle issues | Micra Sports Club

Long story short; After being flooded, developed bad idle, car feels like a kangaroo, cuts out, stalls. 120k miles on engine.
Nissan dealership said it was a stretched timing chain, maxed out tensioner. Quoted me 2000$ to fix it. Eff that!

Chain is on the way, and I've started dissassembly. Here are som pics:

Started the evening like this:

After 2 hours it looked like this:

Here is a closeup on the upper chain

Is this lift normal?

Chain resting:

Here is a closeup of the upper chain tensioner

Another angle.


Imho, this doesn't look THAT bad. Or?

Chain kit is inbound on the 24:st!

When the engine isn't running the tensioner is loose due to the lack of oil pressure so more than normal for it to be a little slack like that. Did you check your plugs and distributor?

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

Also check the maf/throttle, the cg has a self contained unit that has idle control and air flow sensor all build in and is known to cause issues. There is a 'how to' on msc about soldering the throttle to repair it.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

Yes and Yes, The plugs were recently changed, and I have a brand new distributor. Also, I have tried soldering the MAF, and replaced the whole throttlebody (new MAF, new TPS, new IACV)
Here is my list of things checked:


Things that I have tried changing:
-Sparkplugs
-Distributor cap
-Rotor
-Distributor (Brand new from japan! 170£ ouch :S)
-Resoldered the throttlebody according to the well known guide.
-Cleaning the MAF with CRC MAF-cleaner
-Cleaned the Idle Air Control unit with carb cleaner
-Checked the fuses for corrosion
-Replaced the O2-sensor with known working
-Injector Cleaner
-Replaced the MAF; TPS and IAC
-Changed the fuel filter
-Changed the fuelpump (Expensive as &%/)
-Drained the tank (to purge water), no change
-No check engine codes are stored (checked with conzult)

Spent 2 months trying to solve this one, and the chain seems to be my last option before giving up with this car. Surely the Nissan dealership can't be wrong? I spent 360€ to have them come up with this diagnosis, would be really mad at them if it isn't the chains

If you want a like new chain i have one, pm me if you want

I don't really think having the cam timing off would create the symtoms you're experiencing. If anything, you'd be hearing all sorts of hateful noises from the chain slapping around and power level would be down. Also a stretched chain doesn't just happen over night. Any issues a stretched chain would have would happen slowly. Your issue(s) happened abruptly.

Spark plug wires? Injectors? ECU? ECU wiring?

Did you compression check the motor? That would have been the first thing i would have done. Unless the chain skipped time I really dont see that being the cause of your issue. The chain is going to slack like that when off again due to no oil pressure to the tensioner.

If the chain doesnt make noise when its running or even at first startup when cold then your chain and tensioner are fine.

Something else is up.

I am halfway through the chainswap. Got a kit for 129€ with both chains, 3 tensioners, all gears and seals.

Still I'm with you guys, I don't think the chain is the problem. The dealership I went to is supposedly reputable, but I'll be damned if it ain't the chain. You'll probably know how everything went tomorrow. Will post some pics too!

-ECU and wiring should be OK (no water damage, common probem), traced everything!


Spark plug wires checked for resistance, and wiggled them while checking them. No sudden drops whatsoever. Will probably try new ones if the chainsswap doesn't solve it...

Keeping you posted!

I'm midway through the chainswap now, here are some pics:

Lots of room to do it with the engine still in place.



Here are some of the parts, and they don't look wery worn at all Tried measuring the chains too, but they looked almost identical


Closeup on the upper tensioner, only worn about 2-3mm :/



All the gears looked wery good, feels wrong replacing them..



Ran out of loctite, so I'm gonna have to continue tomorrow when the shops open again...

Still feels like a unnecessary job...

the chain looked normal to me