replace timing chain?

Hi, I've got a 96 Cav with the 2.2L engine. It's got over 280,000km on it (approx. 170,000 mi) and runs well. I frequently change the oil, plugs, filters etc. One thing I haven't done is replace the timing chain. At this point in the car's life, is it recommended I do so before it fails? I know failure of this part can lead to major valve problems. My concern is that replacing an engine part in a car this old, especially when that part is apparently problem-free, could lead to further headaches. Thanks for your input!

they say to replace it every 60,000 miles actually. but it is a bitch to do.

The mechanic's manual says it's about a 5.5 hr job. He quoted me a price of about $400 for parts and labor.


they say to replace it every 60,000 miles actually. but it is a bitch to do.

Not too bad i guess. I'd do it myself for that price. If you knwo your motor it will take maybe 3 hours. the hardest part is sometimes getting to it

I went ahead and got it (and the water pump) replaced. Good thing too. When the mechanic got in there, he found the timing chain tensioner was broken.

i had the same problem with mine about a year ago. Good thing you caught it now

Not sure if you saw my post in the diagnostic forum, Nitrous_Boy, but a new problem has sprung up since I got the timing chain replaced. I'm hearing a rattling sound in the front end on the passenger side. Louder at idle. I described it before as a "knocking" but I think rattling is more accurate. Imagine shaking a pebble in a beer can....Anyway it definitely did NOT exist before the replacement was done.

I'm scared they didn't install the chain properly and now my valve is bent or something awful like that. I'm taking it back in first thing Monday, but in the meantime, might you have an idea what's going on?

does it sound like a ticking like maybe someone taking drum sticks to a tree. In that case it could also be your belt tensionor. but make sure and take it back to them before you do anything to it.

It sounds a little more high pitched than a drum stick to a tree...sounds a little like a bolt being shaken around in a metal box if that makes any sense. The intensity varies too.


does it sound like a ticking like maybe someone taking drum sticks to a tree. In that case it could also be your belt tensionor. but make sure and take it back to them before you do anything to it.

was this a good shop that you took this to

Well, they've got a good reputation around town. They replaced my auto tranny last summer and did a fine job with it. They've done good work for me in the past.

to me it doesn't sound good. i read your other post about the problem as well. I would take it up to them to see what they think. without hearing it, it's hard to place. but man if a bolt is in there for whatever reason i'm telling you thats not good. Check your oil as well. make sure that it is pure oil. the knocking could possibly be comming from teh pump as well. Maybe something got in there or something of that nature, you know what i mean. if you want to get brave you can try to better locate where the noise is comming from

So you're thinking some major damage could have been done? Care to venture a guess? Would they be responsible for correcting whatever it is they've done to my car? I did check the oil between my fingers and it didn't feel grainy. Is it safe to drive a few miles back to the garage? I'm not too handy myself so I doubt I'd be able to handle finding the location of the noise myself. But out of curiousity, how would I do that? Sorry for all the questions.....I'm just panicking right now. Here I was trying to prevent something terrible happening by getting my timing chain replaced....and something terrible happens after I did!

do you have some sort of a messanger?

yahoo, MSN, and ICQ. Do you have yahoo?

do you have some sort of a messanger?

redhead_guitarplayer

Can someone clarify if it is a timing chain or timing belt. I'm starting to get a little annoyed.

chain

chain
If it is a chain then why is there a tensioner?

there is a plastic tensinoer that make sure teh chain is tight

two gears and a tensonier

there is a plastic tensinoer that make sure teh chain is tight
Do they sell a metal aftermarket tensioner for more strength? Also I've never heard of needing a tensioner for a timing chain. I guess all engines are different. It is also very rare in other engines for the timing chain to ever be replaced. I can definetely see changing a timing belt every 60,000 miles.

in basic terms when gm made the 2.2 they fucked it up. nothing new with gm 4 cylinders i might add, so they say to repalce it becasue the plastic tensior goes out quicker than the chain. the chain is good for a long time just the plastic shit goes out quick. and i don't think they make metal ones to my knowledge

Thanks you

I have seen what happens when the timing chain is not replaced in time on those 2.2L engines.If the timing chain is not replaced in time when it fails,bends the valves.That is the only engine damage (1997 and down).The 1998 and up 2.2L engines do not bend the valves when the timing chain goes,figure that out.

Interesting.....good thing I got it changed when I did. Regarding the strange rattling noise I heard post-replacement, by day three the noise was essentially non-existant. I took it in anyway, and the mechanic thought it might be the belt tensioner, that it may have slightly shifted during the work and is causing the racket. I will keep a close eye (and ear) on it. In the meantime the car is running fine.

rock on