I am in the process of selling my 1992 SL2 w/ DOHC. An interested party asked if I ever had the "Cam Belt" replaced and I asked if he was refering to the Timing Chain? He said he was refering to the belt. I need clarification on if this guy knows what he is talking about. I thought this model has a timing "chain" not belt. Also, is there such a thing as a Cam Belt? I also asked if he was referring to the Supertien (spelling?) belt and he said not. He indicated that most Saturn owers have the "Cam Belt" change around 100k miles. I checked with my mechanic and he said there is a time chain which is pretty much maintenance free. Does this guy know what he is talking about? Thanks.

 

It is a chain.


DOHC, length 22.87 in to 22.99 in. Service limit is 23.15 in.


Unless I was hearing a definite rattle in that area, I would not worry about it, and even if I did, it might be the chain tensioner that was getting weak, not the chain itself

 

Thank you for the reply. There''s no rattle in the engine. The potential buyer was asking the questions over the phone prior to even seeing the car. Again, thanks for the info.

 

If oil changes have been kept up and its never been run low on oil, the chain should last 300,000 miles or more. If its been neglected, 120,000 to 150,000 and the chain will be toast.

I just did a t-chain replacement on a 1994 SL2 with 120,000 miles on it. The tensioner was a full extension and the chain had stretched so much it ripped off the plastic part of the upper guide and bent the guide.

 

Mike (LowSaturn) has said it all ...


There is no substitute for proper maintenance and service. Anything ignored long enough will break down ...