Nissan Stagea: VQ35DE Secondary Timing Chain Tensioner Cold-Start Rattle

The VQ35DE uses three timing chains: one primary and two secondary chains driving each bank's cam phasers. The hydraulic secondary chain tensioners rely on oil pressure to maintain chain tension, but after extended shutdown the oil drains back from the tensioner galleries, leaving the chains momentarily slack on the next cold start. Over time the tensioner check valves and plungers wear, causing progressively longer rattle duration before oil pressure restores tension. If ignored, chain stretch accelerates, and in severe cases a secondary chain can jump a tooth on the exhaust cam sprocket, causing valve timing error and internal engine damage. This failure is well documented across all VQ35DE platforms including the 350Z, Infiniti G35, and M35 Stagea.

• Distinct metallic rattling from the top of the engine on cold start, clearing within seconds to a minute as oil pressure builds
• Check engine light with cam position sensor codes (P0340, P0345 or P0365, P0390) on higher-mileage examples
• Rough running or timing-related hesitation if chain has jumped a tooth on an exhaust cam sprocket

1. 1

   Start the engine cold and listen for a metallic rattling from the top-front of the engine that clears within 5 to 15 seconds.

2. 2

   Retrieve ECU codes for cam position correlation faults (P0340, P0345, P0365, P0390).

3. 3

   Remove valve covers to inspect chain wear guides for cracking and measure chain slack.

4. 4

   Check oil change history — extended intervals accelerate tensioner wear.

Parts involved: Timing chain.

$900 to $2,800 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.

• “Does the engine make any rattling noise in the first few seconds after a cold start?”
• “What is the service history for oil changes, and what oil viscosity has been used?”

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.