The timing chain on my nissan almera 1.5 has stretched and caused the em light to come on and the car to misfire.
The main dealer has quoted me over 1k to fix this.
Do I have any other options?

Pete D, October 2008

I have a 2005 almera bought at 45000 miles .used zx1 in the engine and the timing chain lasted till 153000 miles.it was using a bit of oil so I fitted a second hand engine.zx1 is amazing stuff and is used by NATO and has a NATO stock number. look it up..also good for the almera gearbox.my car has now done 177000 miles and the gearbox is perfect and very smooth.

ian simpson, May 2018

i have a 52 plate almera tino on 80,000 miles and has to have chain replaced and have been quoted £600 which is about the norm for this job i think,local mech is trustworty and i like the space this car give and i use it as a van for my gardening tools,would need about £2000 for another half decent car so i think i will bite the bullet and stick with this one......

peter, February 2015

Hello I got problem with my Nissan Almera every single mechanic told me its a timing chain so I bought the timing chain and then I received a call that the timing chain is in great condition the only part I need to change is variable timing pulley and this part is very hard to get. So its not always problem with chain.

Jaroslav, December 2014

my daughter is facing replacing timing chain on her Almera 1.5 2004 for the third time in 2 years - last time, incredulous that the timing chain would be failing again we got the engine management light switched off by a diagnostics guy and the car immediately ran fine again (from not starting at all) SO!!! if the chain is so bad the car won't run, switching a light off can't possibly repair the overstretched chain - SO!!! it must be a sensor/electronic built-in obsolescence thing? Am bringing the car back to diagnostics man tomorrow (if it will start) to see does that work again and then looking for a car electrics hacker to suggest a bypass to this (according to Nissan) non-existent design flaw (if you're an owner)/feature (if you're a Nissan shareholder) - observations?

Michael, January 2014

Same problem on Primeras. I found out its a renault part, thats why its failing early. Great! You buy a nissan for reliability and end up with a renault hybrid.

You can buy chain kits from Manchester Motor Factors, in Ancoats, Manchester. They are independently manufactured by an english company in Devon.
I had one fitted by my mechanic friend at his own garage and it sorted the problems straight away on my 03 Primera 1.8 S. Total cost £450.00 (Chain about £170.00).

Big Sal, October 2013

how do you set the timing on it

frank, January 2013

My son's '51 plate (2001) had to have a new chain fitted in Dec 2010 AND IT NOW NEEDS ANOTHER ONE at just under 2 years and less than 20,000 miles later. It's a joke. Putting fussy electronic monitoring on a drive chain might be OK for a formula 1 car, but it is well OTT for a family saloon.
There has to be a simple answer to this common problem. If Nissan would release a software update on the engine management system to allow the camshaft and crankshaft sensors to be out of phase with each other by more than the factory setting, all would be OK. Surely Nissan would have nothing to lose with this approach. Reading the horror stories below shows that no-one will be back at Nissan for their next car with their current attitude. My son's car doesn't make a noticeable noise, and the rest of the car has plenty of life left. Trouble is that being Japanese, there is no liklihood of Nissan accepting that there is a problem at all. (Look at what happened at Olympus at the end of last year with their heads in the sand.) Other peoples' comments below show that they aren't listening.
Another point for Nissan, it is not environmentally friendly to have a perfectly good car (except for timing chain) having to be melted down and recycled before it's time because a ludicrous maintenance bill is required every 2 years.
Come on Nissan. Even if you won't accept a problem with the original equipment, the replacement parts kit is USELESS and simply doesn't last. You owe it to beleaguered owners to provide a way out. Is a software fix too much to ask?

Johng, December 2012

was told £500 to £700 pounds to fix in england as soon as i rang garage they knew what problem was it is a very common problem i only had car 2 days when light came on i think the w**nker how sold me it was aware of problem as if your disconnect battery the light goes out for a few days had it done in ireland as i am working there for 500 euros like a different car after work done
s

dave black cat, October 2012

One thing is apparrent in all these reports, no one is listing their model and year the car was manufactured, I have owened an almera 1800E auto since 2002 52 plate, nearly 85k miles and not had any problems what's so ever with timing chain, the car is very reliable and runs as mooth as when it was new and never been off road due to mechanical problems other than normal service, I love my almera, I have had BMW,jag, etc almera has been the most riable car I have ever owned. I just wish my wife was as reliable as my almera. :)

alermra v wife, May 2012

My chain and tensioner was done at 20 k miles ago,now I have a loud rattle at higher revs,it is also losing power when driving up slight hills,and starts to misfire,I have had a obd meter on it and the fault has shown crankshaft sensor,I have removed it today and it is slightly covered in oil.Would this be the fault as I need to clean and replace and try before I buy a new one.Finally please could anyone help and give me advice and could it be the chain again after such a short mileage after the 1st chain was replaced,my car now has only done 66k on it's second chain.

Darryl, March 2012

Well i cant belive it , all the years iv'e been playing with cars i never knew timing chains would stretch, but after changing the one in a mates car it now works fine, even the orange light has gone off, the old chain was only about 6mm longer when hung next to the old, not much but enough to make a difference. Located ours on ebay, if you have ever messed with cars then you can change it yourself but is a difficult job

mart10, February 2012

do ihave to fit new timing chain to my car at 130.000 k lm

patrick mc grath, January 2012

Glad to know it isn't just me! My Almera has about 120,000 on the clock & should have a lot of life left but not any more. It'll cost more than it's worth to repair it so I'm advised to carry on until it keels over. Not very reassuring.

Another disillusioned Nissan owner, November 2011

my 2005 almera e m light is also on and cant be reset as the chain is streached 62 000 miles i expected better from nissan im on my 5th nissan but it will be my last. i was quoted £1000 from dealer.

paul, October 2011

re. nissan timing chains, nissan know full well about the chain problems on almeras, micras, x-trails etc, i REGULARLY replace the chain on my brother in laws micra, have done two on my nieces (before she got rid of the sodding thing) almera and a friends almera is getting done today. when we asked nissan about the problem we got the same reply, ie 'what problem sir' but a nissan technician friend,( who will remain nameless) told us that nissan know the chains, guides and tensioner are EXPECTED to stretch and need replacing between 20,000 and 26'000 miles, but they are not doing anything to rectify this design fault.
now costing; having done a number of them i have been able to get the cost of the parts down by looking around, just bought one on e-bay for £136.00 delivered (overnight) and i usually charge around £150 labour plus the service kit and fluids (£40), still sounds expensive at around £230.00 but local garages are charging £450+ and the dealer around £1200+ so it pays to shop around, then get rid of the problem by selling it on to someone else!
i hope my input has helped someone, by the way my brother in law LOVES his micra (k12), despite having TWO engines ( both 'dropped' the thrust bearing out of number 3 main journal), one gearbox, and three timing chains (high miler due to it being a driving school car), but i put this love down to him having a mechanic 'on tap' lol
i hate nissans with a passion, and would NEVER own one or let nearest and dearest buy one again.

gizanaudianyday, October 2011

same prob with timing chain ...rev counter very
erratic at times
was quoted by one garage (not a dealer) £600-£700 Genuine parts
made a few calls/asked friends ..got a non-genuine part (probably the same without nissan stamped on it)
fully fitted for £420 all-in ..
it pays to ask friends, because SOMEONE will know someone with a small garage that will do a good job at a good price ...after all they value or custom

neil, October 2011

me to.... timing chain prob ...done my head in for weeks til i found out what it was.. it would cut out at lights and lose power over taking ...why timing chain ?... when belt done ok for years

jojo, July 2011

Its a joke i was informed my timing chain had stretched needed a replacement that was in Nov 2009 and now 19 months later about 12000 miles i need to replace it again another £900 will never buy another nissan and will pursue this further

David, June 2011

I just got rid of my Nissan Almera & the faulty timing chain. Phew! what a relief :-) Nissan customer services said the samething to me:I'm the first to report the the timing chain problem !
Bought myself a Toyota Yaris & very pleased with it. I won't be buying Nissan again.
Good luck to everyone.

CarlS, June 2011

Watchdog contact details
http://www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog/gotastory/

Address ddress:
Watchdog, MC4 C5, Media Centre, Wood Lane, London W12 7TQ

Paul Smith, June 2011

I'm having the same problem with the timing chain. The car is very jittery and uncomfortable to drive. I gave Nissan customer services a call and the lady said nobody reported any problem with the timing chain!!
I bet she thought she was clever she fobbed me off. Going to give watchdog a call & won't be buying a Nissan again.

Paul Smith, June 2011

This faulty timing chain is a very common, especially with the Nissan Almeras.
It can cost up to £1900 to fix!
It's appauling how Nissan NOT dealt with this issue.
If you have this problem report it to the watchdog.

Jill Green, May 2011

anyone know how to get the main dashboard off to get at the cd player,thinks the cd tray as come off as cd wont go in ?

mick b, May 2011

I found a facebook group dedicated to this issue. It's called "recall nissan almeras":
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=294927256889&v=wall
Thanks.

tn, April 2011

More similar cases here:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showt...p?t=2055170799
http://www.fixed4free.com/answers.php?id=73912
http://www.ilexa.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=5867.0
http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/44640...g-nissan-alme/
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showt...7#post60976607
http://www.howtomendit.com/answers.php?id=180657
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=63342
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Almera

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080423033436AApismH
http://www.howtomendit.com/answers.php?id=73912
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=214254&highlight=nissan+almera


Please add your Nissan Timing Chain story to this board:
http://NissanTimingChain.proboards.com

More information regarding this known defect can be obtained from Nissan customer services: (UK)01923 899999

Fred, April 2011

It's a common problem with the Nissan Almera timing chains. Just the links below.

I spoke to Nissan customer services on 01923 899999 but the guy said due to the high mileage on my car they wouldn't offer me any help.
STEER CLEAR . YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED




http://www.howtomendit.com/answers.php?id=180657
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=63342
http://www.fixed4free.com/answers.php?id=73912
http://www.ilexa.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,6610.0.html
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055119097
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Almera
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=483463

WM, April 2011

anyone know if i can get a full timing chain for almera 1.5 2003 as dealers wants £850.00

stressed nissan almera owner, March 2011

hi there ive got the same problem on my 2000 1.5s fault on these cars r gearbox(had mine done) front lower crossmembers fot 2 f--k(had mine done!)and the timing chain(gotta get mine done!)lol apart from this the cars r lovely!lmfao, no on a serious note though i still wouldnt get rid of it ,pratical,very reliable,economical n fun in a way to drive there not boring like a ford , vw or vauxhall etc

leemond, December 2010

Hi mark c,
Did you give Nissan & watchdog a call?
Did you replace the timing chain or did you decide to get rid of the car?
I don't think it's worth fixing this problem as it's costly.
Because of the timing chain defect my Almera stops dead while I'm driving it. Does yours do the same?
Surely this is very dangerous and Nissan should issue a recall.
Thanks

Andy, December 2010

ive got a Nissan 1.5 2001 first gearbox went after having it a month,then fault light came on,i was told its the crank sensor,but the cam chain is stretched. Not buying nissan again!!.

mark c, December 2010

Add your Nissan Almera Timing chain story here:

http://NissanTimingChain.proboards.com

Let's try to make Nissan recognise that it's a common issue.

Guest, November 2010

Last year, the timing chain on my Nissan Almera got stretched and it cost me £500 to fix.
Nissan customer services(uk 01923 899999) said nobody reported this problem!
Clearly it's a common problem and they need to issue a recall.
This year the same problem happened and Nissan said it would cost £1500-£1700 to fix.
I'm going to get rid of it and going to keep away from Nissan cars.

NissanAlmeraTimingChain, November 2010

I used a garden chain from my fence and that worked fine but after a few miles there was this loud clanging noise I realised an old lady was still attached to the chain.

Denzil Smythe-Brown, October 2010

IT IS IMPERATIVE THE TIMING CHAN GETS REPLACED ON THE ALMERA AROUND 55.000 MILES

RICHIE, September 2009

I BOUGHT A NISSAN 1500 ACTIVE WITHIN HRS THE ENG MANAGEMENT LIGHT CAME ON , WENT OFF CAME ON ETC , WHEN IT CAME ON THE CAR RAN ERATIC AND REV COUNTER WAS UNSTABLE, HAD SENSORS REPLACED NO DIFFERENCE , AFTER LOADS OF HASSELL THE TIMING CHAIN WAS INSPECTED AND HAD STRETCHED BEYOND TOLERANCE, THE MILAGE WAS 63 .000 I FOUND OUT THAT IT SHOULD BE REPLACED AROUND 55.000 GOT IT REPLACED BY A NISSAN MECHANIC FRIEND AND RUNS LIKE A DREAM , PLZ FOLLOW SUITE AND YOU WILL HAVE SOLVED YOUR PROBLEM

RICHIE, September 2009

No more Nissan's for me, I'm going to stick to Toyota from now on.
It's appauling the way Nissan handled the Timing Chain issue.

Gareth, September 2009

nissan customer services
01923 899999

THE MORE PEOPLE THAT PHONE CUSTOMER SERVICES TO COMPLAIN ABOUT TIMING CHAIN THE MORE CHANCE THERE DO SOMETHINK ABOUT IT BECAUSE AS FAR AS CUSTOMER SERVICES R AWARE THERES NO PROBLEM WITH TIMING CHAIN SO THEY WONT ISSUE A RECALL

Fred, September 2009

Check out the almera owners club there is a lot of info on there. it may not be the chain streched itself but the two sensors related to the chain if they are faulty then that may cause the em lights to come on. it was a common prob for the 2000-2001 1.5 n16s to have chain problems.

commandosqueak, September 2009

hi, my almera 1.5s has a miss fire .had all electrics checked aswell as ecu , all was ok. that just leaves timing chain to be checked. i am having it looked at and will get parts from ebay which sell for £120-£200. complete job done by local mech should be £500. you will need engine code for the correct kit. i thought a quick clean of a spark plug would solve problem, has turned out to be a night mare.

will, August 2009

Had my chain replaced, and sensors, pipes cleaned out and wires checked the thing still misses but ticks over fine, just pulses when driving and splutters until I go over 2500 revs.My mechanic even took it all apart again but said the timing and new chain were all set correct. Had the fault eliminated but it keeps coming back with the same fault code but those parts have been replaced. Fed up now want to sell it but dont want to pass on a lemon to someone, it drives like a pig but starts every time and sound good and ticks over fine when warm, what can I do next?

Andy J, March 2009

please andrew could anyone tell me






please andrew please could you tell me wher you found the parts for your nissan timeing chain as i have the same problem & nissan want to rip you off.
could anyone let me know,

ash, February 2009

Nissan had problem with timing chains on most of there cars almer used put on mil light come up with multi cyc miss fire also idle was eratic up and down regarding checking it if it isnt rattling or causing any problems then no work needed but if has problems then quick check remove cover and inspect tensioner if it pertrueds more than 13 mm its knackered we use change them all time
not bad job t odo just costly for pats and Nissan labour but any normal garage could carry it out for you at fraction of the cost hope this helps you bearing in mind this chain was supposed be better than the micra chain and end all chain problems lol

wayne, December 2008

How does one know if the tension on the change on a Nissan Almera needs replacing as my car has now done 120,000?

Rony, December 2008

Is there anywhere on Teesside where I can get my timing chain fixed on my Nissan Almera? With out being ripped off by Nissan Dealers.

Michelle, November 2008

dont buy off nissan mate my chain stretched to i got a timing chain kit with tensioners guides and chain for £170 u need to get new gaskets too which are £40 and labour cost me £250 inc vat at local garage around 5 hours work still £300 cheaper than nissan tho hope this helps u mate

andrew, October 2008