timing chain issue QG18DE

[mercuriocaro]

i have a '05 QG18DE, i was changing the spark plugs a month ago (without the engine completely cooled) and ended up stripping and snapping the number one spark plug halfway in its hole.. so i ended up pulling the head, drilled out the plug and threads, put new plug threads in, replaced the gasket and bolts, and now am encountering a problem with the timing marks, as the FSM for the 04, 05 AND 06 show a diagram for the timing alignment to have two blue links aligned with the exh. and int. cam sprockets and 1 yellow ligning up to the crankshaft sprocket, but my chain only has 1 blue link which aligns with the exhaust sprocket mating marks at TDC , but for some reason i did not mark the intake cam sprocket alignment mark on the timing chain itself correctly and now can not even find the right lilnk that the intake mating mark corresponds to, i know its off as my car wont stay running and you can hear and feel a misfire. the fsm has link intervals for the QG25DE but alas, no 1.8 info on that . anyone have a pic of a properly installed chain at tdc so i can count the links between mating marks on the sprockets? or does anyone know at TDC how many links between mating marks? thanks in advance.

[denver_gxe]

dont run your car with the timing off its an interference motor. sometimes on timing chains the colors fade. as long as you can line up the crank and the exhaust timing marks you should be able to find the intake timing mark. the intake cam sprocket should sit at about 10-11 oclock when properly timed. hope this helps. the exhaust cam should sit at about 1-2 oclosk when looking at it. also the chains timing marks should be facing you, not the engine. I am not saying you are dumb, but I have seen this done before.

[nametakennow]

To the OP: Try the Nissan Online Mechanic section.

denver - Nissan engines are non-interference.

[denver_gxe]

per all data, mitchells on demand, and a guy i know at nissan, they are interference.
Modified by denver_gxe at 9:08 PM 3/31/2008

[nametakennow]

Whoops, got it backwards. Been working on a project all day, kinda fried my brain.

[cmsintent]

Ran across the exact same issue with the timing chain marks... mine also only has 1 blue link and I have examined that chain until my eyes fell out ... ONLY 1 BLUE LINK!!

Spoke with Nissan and they said they could order a chain in (non-refundable) but could not guarentee that the replace would have both links... apparently their shop mechanic has seen this happen. He couldn't or wouldn't offer any advice other that to bring to the shop and he could play with it at $120 per hour.

Did you get your issue resolved and if so... how?

Thanks