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CriticalCommonEngine

Nissan Fairlady Z: VQ35DE Secondary Timing Chain Stretch

VQ35DE Secondary Timing Chain Stretch is a common engine fault on the Nissan Fairlady Z on the 2002–2006 cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs $1,800 to $3,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 16 documented faults on the Nissan Fairlady Z.

Vehicle
Nissan Fairlady Z
Engine
VQ35-DE
Years
2002–2006
Fuel
petrol
System
Engine

This page covers the Nissan Fairlady Z as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Nissan Fairlady Z faults16 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

The front of a dual overhead camshaft engine with the timing cover removed, exposing the timing chain and sprockets.Example of the part — not this vehicle

The front of a twin-cam engine with the timing cover off — chain, sprockets and guides.

Logansenf · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

What goes wrong

The VQ35DE (2002-2006, pre-HR) uses secondary timing chains linking the primary chain to the exhaust camshafts. These secondary chains are prone to stretch under the dual-overhead-cam load, particularly with irregular oil change intervals. Stretched chains cause cam timing retardation, triggering P0011/P0021 cam position sensor fault codes and loss of power. If left unattended the chain can jump a tooth or fail catastrophically. The VQ35HR (2006-2009) redesigned the secondary chain routing and largely resolved this.

What you would notice

  • P0011 or P0021 camshaft position timing fault codes
  • Rough idle, loss of power, poor throttle response
  • Engine rattle that persists beyond cold-start warm-up period
  • Reduced fuel economy

How to check it

Where to look. Secondary timing chains at rear of each cylinder bank, inside valve covers

  1. Scan for camshaft position timing codes before test drive.

  2. Request oil change history — neglected intervals are the primary cause.

  3. Listen for persistent chain noise after full warm-up.

  4. A borescope through the oil filler cap can reveal sludge indicating poor maintenance.

Parts involved: Timing chain.

What it costs to put right

$1,800 to $3,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the timing chain or guides ever been replaced?”
  • “Can you show me a full oil change service history?”
  • “Have any engine fault codes been cleared recently?”

Now check the Nissan Fairlady Z you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Nissan Fairlady Z buyer questions

Is vq35de secondary timing chain stretch serious on a Nissan Fairlady Z?

We rate it critical and common on the Nissan Fairlady Z. The VQ35DE (2002-2006, pre-HR) uses secondary timing chains linking the primary chain to the exhaust camshafts. These secondary chains are prone to stretch under the dual-overhead-cam load, particularly with irregular oil change intervals. Stretched chains cause cam timing retardation, triggering P0011/P0021 cam position sensor fault codes and loss of power. If left unattended the chain can jump a tooth or fail catastrophically. The VQ35HR (2006-2009) redesigned the secondary chain routing and largely resolved this.

How much does it cost to fix on a Nissan Fairlady Z?

$1,800 to $3,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Nissan Fairlady Z years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2002–2006 Nissan Fairlady Z. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Scan for camshaft position timing codes before test drive. Request oil change history — neglected intervals are the primary cause. Listen for persistent chain noise after full warm-up. A borescope through the oil filler cap can reveal sludge indicating poor maintenance. Look here: Secondary timing chains at rear of each cylinder bank, inside valve covers