Reviews of OEM Nissan timing chain

I was stressed to have my 2006 S 2WD chain replaced after 120k miles, but never really found service requirements (vice dealership recommended service crap). Also - I procrastinate a lot. Then I ran across a Nissan engineering service document that stated the chain was rated “for the service life of the engine” - it was the plastic tensioners that would wear out.

I did mine at 175k.\n\nIt was making a quiet tapping noise at idle, I thought I broke a tensione or wore the shoe down to the stub. Could hear it hitting/ slapping the inside of the case along the top front. Not a very loud or scary sound.\n\nWhen the mechanic opened it, the chain was fully covered in cracked linka all over. It had stretched so much that the tensioners were fully extending and yet the chain was flopping around loose.\n\nSomehow it never slipped and didn't grenade. The mechanic told me it was probably the worst he saw in his career.

Year two, 60k miles, I get a rattle. Annoying at first but soon the radio can't even drown it out. Drive performance gets "pretty bad" - the car has no get-up and go. Diagnosis: two cylinders operating at low performance, noise loudest at timing chain, needs a new engine. The tech noticed I'm over the estimated 3,750 miles for oil change, so probably the cause is "sludge" in the engine due to MY poor maintenance. Estimated costs of service: $8,655.83. I have discovered tons of consumer reviews - particularly about the 2011 Juke - indicating the same problem I'm having but in particular, the timing chain was defective and their engines had to be replaced. Many articles were hoping for a recall of the timing chain soon. The service guys says "well, yes, all of this has to do with the timing chain but really the cause is sludge."