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Re: Timing Chain Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Thu, 14 Jun 2001 14:39:32
In Reply to: Timing Belt '88 9000 Turbo 135,550 miles, RWSloan, Wed, 13 Jun 2001 17:24:44 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
It's a chain, and there is no adjustment. There is a chain tensioner, but it's automatic. It's possible that the tensioner is tired. You can replace the tensioner for about $50 for the part and about 20 minutes of work - it's easily accessable from outside the engine.
The timing chain on the Saab engines tend to be noisy. That's no reason to replace it. Noise from the upper end of the engine can come from the fuel injectors, valve lifters, chain, or chain guides.
My advice - pull the valve cover off and inspect the chain. Turn the engine to TDC for cylinder #1 and check the alignment marks on the cam against the marks on the cam blocks. If the marks line up, the chain isn't worn. Inspect the chain and cam sprockets for wear. If the chain looks worn, and/or the marks don't line up well, then it's reasonable to replace the chain. There are two ways to do this - one involves replacing just the chain, and is pretty cheap (roll-in method). The other way involves removing the timing chain cover. This is more expensive, but it allows you to replace the chain guides. If the chain is worn, you've got to assume the chain guides are, too. But you can go cheap, and live with the noise.
Either way, replace the chain guide mounted on the underside of the valve cover. It's probably worn out. But if the chain looks OK and the marks line up, live with the noise. 140K is still pretty young.
Many mechanics will recommend replacing a chain because it's noisy. This can run $500 to $1200, depending on what you do and who does it. For that kind of $$, I always recommend doing the inspection - you're only out about an hour of time, and about $20 to $40 for a new valve cover gasket and upper chain guide. And chances are your valve cover gasket is leaky and needs replacement anyway.
, Thu, 14 Jun 2001 14:39:32 <-- Viewing This Message
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