jetta4j

I have 1 question about replacing a head gasket on my friends nissan altima 2.4L. do I have to remove the lower timing chain also,or can I just get away with removing the upper one only?manual is vague(Haynes Manual)If anyone has done this job before I could really use some help.about to just get rid of the car if cant figure it out...thanks alot for any help......

RStoker

I finished a head gasket job on my wife's '97 Altima a couple of weeks ago; same 2.4L engine. The lower timing chain does not need to be removed unless one or both of the lower timing chain guides needs to be replaced too - I found chunks of plastic in my oil pan and needed to replace both lower chain guides and the lower tensioner with the head gasket work. (The lower timing chain cover is no fun at all.)