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Re: How do I check timing chain? Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Wed, 15 Sep 2004 10:54:51
In Reply to: How do I check timing chain?, Rupert, Wed, 15 Sep 2004 08:45:43 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
The timing chain is on the belt side of the engine. Diagnosing a timing chain by sound is risky - there are a lot of things making noise there that sound like a timing chain.
The best advice I can give would be to listen for a rattly sound, almost like a rap or knock, coming from the belt side of the engine. It should keep time with engine speed. If you speed the engine up, the sound should remain and rap faster.
Since the valves are hydraulic, they can be a bit rattly. However, with increased engine speed, the oil pressure increases, and they should quiet down. So a low speed rattle that goes away might just be lifters.
Again, this isn't very accurate. The rattle could be a worn-out upper chain guide, or just the sound of the injectors. However, if the engine sounds like a coffee can full of silverware rolling down stairs, be concerned. So a real obvious bad noise is bad. If you can hear it with the hood closed and you are inside the car be concerned. It may not be the timing chain, but it is a sign of something inside trying hard to get out.
The best diagnostic is to remove the valve cover and check the alignment of the cam sprockets against the head. I doubt even a mechanic would do that on a pre-buy check. And I've had "Saab Certified" mechanics tell me that my timing chain 'sounded bad.' I did the valve cover off chain inspection and it was fine, and I've put 70K miles on that particular engine since then with no problems.
Is the head gasket going to fail? You bet. When? That's the hard part. Anything can break at any time. Yes, it's more likely the older it is, but no guarantees.
Every car is a crapshoot. You can do the best you can to rule out obvious problems. But a car that is perfect today may break tomorrow. So bookkeep money for repairs, always.
posted by 192.249....
, Wed, 15 Sep 2004 10:54:51 <-- Viewing This Message, Wed, 15 Sep 2004 13:32:46, Wed, 15 Sep 2004 05:29:37
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