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Re: Timing chain rattle... Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Fri, 14 Jan 2005 05:56:03
In Reply to: Timing chain rattle..., dim33, Thu, 13 Jan 2005 15:05:43 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Are you planning on replacing the timing chain just because something is making noise at the valve cover, or are there other things going on?
There are a lot of things in that area that can cause a rattle, so diagnosing the problem as the timing chain by noise alone can be an expensive proposition. If it sounds like a coffee can of spoons rolling downs stairs, well, yes, that's probably the chain. If the car has very high miles, well into the upper 100K, or hasn't had regular, frequent oil changes, then yes, I might suspect the timing chain. If it's the early 2.3l (as Gene says), then I'd be worrying about a weak set of balance shaft sprockets.
But a rattle at idle from the valve cover area, especially if it goes away above idle, can very easily be a lazy lifter. They're hydraulic, and very sensitive to oil pressure. Oil temp, age, viscosity, and the like can cause a rattle. It may just be the rubber upper chain guide on the underside of the valve cover has dried up and shrunk. You could be hearing tapping from the fuel rail because the fuel damper has gotten old.
Nothing wrong with wanting to do the timing chain, but it is an involved and expensive task. I would make sure that it's the problem - I would pull the valve cover and inspect the chain visually. I'd check for 'stretch' by seeing if the alignment marks, well, align. I'd look at the condition of the sprockets. For the price of a valve cover gasket (maybe $20) which is probably leaking anyway, it could either save you big bucks, or let you know that your path is true.
posted by 192.249....
, Fri, 14 Jan 2005 05:56:03 <-- Viewing This Message
, Thu, 13 Jan 2005 18:47:03
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