Micra timing issue - headscratcher

Itsfixed

Hullo all, hoping someone somewhere might have some insight into this serious timing issue.

Wife's 2003 Micra (1.2), which was made during a period when Micras were known for stretched timing chain issues, got a new timing chain last December (it was at about 95k miles at this point) after it broke down. Recovery guy was a former nissan mechanic and pointed this out and recommended our local mechanic to do this. T'was ok for a few weeks, then it cut out again and engine management light came on. Local mechanic replaced one of the two timing sensors and again, t'was ok for a few weeks and then it started cutting out again, exactly like before. Brought it back and he replaced both sensors (free of charge). T'was Ok for a few weeks but once again, its cutting out and the engine management light is back on and car is not running quite right - exactly like before, basically.

Wonder if I should bring it to a Nissan garage this time? Can't think what the problem could be if chain and both sensors have been replaced (one of them twice). I'm wondering if the fact that this problem only re-emerges after roughly the same period after a sensor is replaced offers any clue. Its a bit annoying at this stage.

FWIW, I don't think the timing chain was stretched as commonly reported of the early Micra mk3s (2003-2004) as it would have emerged as an issue well before the 95k mile mark. But it was replaced, so....

Any obvious thoughts appreciated....
Timing chain tensioner?

listermint

Itsfixed wrote: »

Hullo all, hoping someone somewhere might have some insight into this serious timing issue.

Wife's 2003 Micra (1.2), which was made during a period when Micras were known for stretched timing chain issues, got a new timing chain last December (it was at about 95k miles at this point) after it broke down. Recovery guy was a former nissan mechanic and pointed this out and recommended our local mechanic to do this. T'was ok for a few weeks, then it cut out again and engine management light came on. Local mechanic replaced one of the two timing sensors and again, t'was ok for a few weeks and then it started cutting out again, exactly like before. Brought it back and he replaced both sensors (free of charge). T'was Ok for a few weeks but once again, its cutting out and the engine management light is back on and car is not running quite right - exactly like before, basically.

Wonder if I should bring it to a Nissan garage this time? Can't think what the problem could be if chain and both sensors have been replaced (one of them twice). I'm wondering if the fact that this problem only re-emerges after roughly the same period after a sensor is replaced offers any clue. Its a bit annoying at this stage.

FWIW, I don't think the timing chain was stretched as commonly reported of the early Micra mk3s (2003-2004) as it would have emerged as an issue well before the 95k mile mark. But it was replaced, so....

Any obvious thoughts appreciated....
Timing chain tensioner?

Couple of things.

Quality of the chain and kit that was used.
Was the tensioner swapped out was any of the cogs swapped also . Could be missing a tooth.

Quality of the sensors some cheap aftermarket ones can be rubbish.

Wiring shorts or damage to the cable connections can reek havoc throwing symptoms all over the place.

Has it been plugged in a code read? Needs that first above all.