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Re: My timing chain is making noise Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Tue, 20 Apr 2004 10:30:55
In Reply to: My timing chain is making noise, saabracer23, Mon, 19 Apr 2004 16:45:30 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Yes, a timing chain failure is not a pretty sight. I'll agree with stevec - timing chains tend to last a real long time in the 2.0. There were issues with the 2.3 balance shaft sprockets, which could lead to a balance shaft chain falling off. That's not a horrible failure. However, if the balance shaft chain gets hung up in the timing chain, then it's bad news.
A certified Saab tech told me that the timing chain on my '88 was about to go, based on sound. I pulled the valve cover and inspected it, and it was fine. I check it every few years. Yeah, it's been about 70K miles since the tech predicted imminent death and destruction. Same chain. Still looks fine.
I support stevec (again) in the heater hose trick. Saab engines are noisy and rattly. Potential noise sources (in no particular order)
bad idler pulley bearings
bad alternator bearings
shot water pump
worn/badly tensioned belts
Other fun stuff-
sticky valve lifter (comes from the valve cover, same sound as a chain)
bad fuel pressure damper (shock waves from injectors closing in fuel rail)
Of course, a worn upper chain guide is a good possiblity. Here's a real simple trick-
Turn the engine backwards a couple of turns. If you have a manual tranny, just put the car in 5th gear on a level surface (engine off), and push the car backwards. It won't be easy, but the engine will turn over. Or, manual or automatic, just remove the spark plugs (to relieve compression) and turn the engine over backwards with a wrench on the main pulley. Why? It allows the chain tensioner to reset. The chain tensioner is spring-loaded, but it moves in set steps. You might be on the hairy edge of it releasing to the next step, increasing the tension (low tension now). Turning the engine backwards will make it trip over to the next step if it's about to.
I don't want to minimize the issue of the timing chain, but there are many things that can cause the noise, and checking it out is the best thing to do. Replacing the chain should be done when needed, and only when needed.
Please post the year of your car - we can tell it's a turbo, but not much else. Different years have different issues.
posted by 192.249....
, Tue, 20 Apr 2004 10:30:55 <-- Viewing This Message
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