Timing chain broke without prior symptoms?

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Old Jul 14, 2024 | 06:34 AM
  #11  
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And the diagnosis is ?
 
Old Jul 14, 2024 | 11:16 AM
  #12  
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Default I haven't had one done yet

Originally Posted by derf
And the diagnosis is ?
My guy was supposed to come out yesterday, but it started raining. I will get back to you once I get the diagnosis. I know that nothing showed up on the code reader other than my AC having low pressure


 
Old Jul 14, 2024 | 11:21 AM
  #13  
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Default But did the chain slip while you were driving it?

Originally Posted by 02 LW300
I bought one 2.2 with low compression on all cylinders. 40-50 psi, the chain had stretched and slipped on the sprockets. Since I had no cylinders at 0, I lined up the sprockets and got compression back to above 150. I replaced the necessary chain, sprockets and guides and flushed the sludge out of the engine. This engine looked like it had missed many oil changes and was full of sludge. After flushing it clean it came back to life. I changed the oil at 500 miles a couple times and it finally cleaned up and did not burn oil. I ran this car for a year before selling it. It is still around town. This has been four years now.
But did the chain slip while you were driving it? Because that's a whole different thing. The thing that bugs me is I did not have a single symptom of a bad timing chain. Not one. I got an oil change about four or five months ago. I should probably go down and check it tho. I'm surprised we (me and my car guy) didn't think of that. Sometimes cars burn more oil that what is normal and these heat waves do not bode well for that.
 
Old Jul 14, 2024 | 04:06 PM
  #14  
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He has bent valves.
 
Old Jul 14, 2024 | 06:13 PM
  #15  
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Top chain guide bolt is known to back out as well. That's how I lost my first ecotec.
 
Old Jul 14, 2024 | 09:24 PM
  #16  
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If The engine jumped time by a tooth, it depends on the engine weather it would run exceptionally poorly or bend valves / self-destruct.

Since your vehicle does not run any longer, that is likely not a possibility here, unfortunately. Emphasis on likely.

 
Old Jul 14, 2024 | 09:33 PM
  #17  
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As I stated earlier, a timing chain can break for a multitude of reasons.
  • You can't see any of them coming (without partial disassembly)
  • If you're lucky, you may hear a stretched chain making noise at the front of the engine. But you simply don't always get that heads up.
The unfortunate truth is that timing chains break. It's not always the chain itself that is to blame. Slack from wear of other components is usually a contributor. Sometimes the tensioner fails. Sometimes the oiler stops oiling the chain......

I understand your frustration, but in life, **** happens. If the rest of the car is in nice condition, sell it as a parts car.
 
Old Jul 15, 2024 | 07:49 AM
  #18  
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One of my brothers had a 73 Dodge Polara that I gave him. It was running great one day. He stopped at a market to go in and buy beer. He came out and car wouldn't start. He called me, I had him crank it and it spun rather freely. I told him it was the timing chain. Sure enough, we pulled the front of the engine off and the timing chain was broken. A new timing set and a couple of hours time, it was purring like a kitten again. Like stated before, there's NO WAY to predict when a chain will break. They just do.
 
Old Jul 18, 2024 | 09:40 PM
  #19  
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If it quit while driving and the compression is 0- 35 psi, your chain is broken with many if not all bent valves.
 
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