Opinion on timing chain tensioner / chain stretch

For you folks that have had the chain done or have looked behind the cover on the passenger side head, looking for an opinion about my chain.

2006 Tacoma 220,000 miles on it. I'm getting the p0022 code with CEL and an odd groaning noise (like power steering) at times after driving a while. I checked all the levels and everything seems fine.

I do see that my engine appears to be sludged, and am thinking about taking the Oil control valve filters out this weekend and cleaning them and possibly even the valves themselves. I will probably do some seafoam today and change the oil as well Saturday.

My question is this though, based on the picture do you think my chain could be stretched? It doesn't look as far out as some others I have seen on the internet. Any opinions are appreicated!

 

P0022 is bank 2 (driverside) intake retarded. If the chain was stretched I would expect a p0021 (bank 1 intake). Accumulated chain stretch would have a bigger impact on the last sprocket that's driven. I think you are right about the plunger. I have seen them further out too. That being said, 220k is a lot of miles. I would tend to think you have an oil control valve issue. My 2.5 cents.

 

sludge can cause chain issues
people usually start with control valve filters
they are cheaper

 

Thanks guys, that was my thinking too. I figured sludge is #1 suspect and valve is #2.

The oil was about half a quart low, so I added some oil and seafoam (and was driving another 200 miles or so before I was going to change the oil) and the light went away.

I wound up changing the oil anyway (It was almost due) and it's been smooth sailing so far. My plan is to ride this oil 500 miles, add some seafoam and go another 500 and then change the oil once again to see if I can get some of the sludge out.

Thanks for the replies.