Are timing chains supposed to be loose? Tensioners make sure the chain is tightly wound to the pulleys and gears.
If the tensioner fails and the chain becomes loose, the timing of the engine is thrown off
. And, if the timing chain becomes loose, you can get ready for serious and costly problems.
Why would a timing chain be loose?
The timing chain has stretched
With enough use, the timing chain stretches and causes the chain to skip over a gear and cause the timing to fall out of calibration. This causes the chain to permanently become loose and skip over the gears every time you try to start your MINI.
What are the symptoms of a loose timing chain?
A lax timing chain, or worse, a broken timing chain with loose parts within the engine, will produce
a rattling sound when your car is idling
. This rattling sound is typically most prominent while the engine heats up and disappears after some time.
Can you drive with a loose timing chain?
Can one drive a car with a bad timing chain?
It is pretty bad to drive with a faulty timing chain, as it could cause serious damages to the vehicle’s engine
. In worst cases, the car may stop suddenly on the highway, leaving you stranded and putting you at risk.
Do timing chains really stretch?
Timing chain stretch is not actually the ‘stretching’ of the chain, it’s an elongation of the timing chain caused by wear in the chains components. The most common cause of this phenomenon is actually lack of maintenance and regular oil changes using a quality oil.
How do I test a timing chain?
Can I drive with a stretched timing chain?
It’s probably not immediately “dangerous” to drive with an elongated chain
, but if it gets elongated enough, it will lose tension, start to “slap”, and may break the plastic cam chain guides or jump a tooth on one of the sprockets, which may cause catastrophic engine damage.
How do I stop my timing chain from stretching?
Regular maintenance and regular oil changes, using the correct oil, every 5,000 miles
is the best way to combat timing chain stretch and failure.
Is timing chain worth fixing?
Timing belts must be replaced on a regular basis, but timing chains do not.
There’s no reason to alter the timing chain unless it’s damaged, strained, or otherwise affected
. If there is a problem with the timing chain, your car will most likely have one or more issues.
How much does it cost to fix a timing chain?
Timing chain replacement can cost between $600 and $800 for a DIY repair, or
between $1,600 and $1,800 with a mechanic
. The cost is high due to the complicated nature of replacing this part. If you want to DIY a timing chain replacement, the parts will cost around $650.
What happens if the timing chain breaks while driving?
A broken timing chain will
cause an engine to not start or fail while driving
. If the belt is already broken, the engine won’t have enough compression to start. If it breaks or jumps while driving, the pistons will be damaged from contact with the valves. The valves themselves will bend and potentially ruin the engine.
Can loose timing chain cause loss of power?
Over a period of time, the timing chain can stretch, which can cause the chain to skip a gear on the cam or crankshaft. This causes the engine’s timing to fall out of calibration and often results in a misfire.
The engine may also run poorly and lack accelerating power
.
What is timing chain noise?
Timing chain noise is
commonly most noticeable during cold startup of the vehicle when oil pressure and oil flow is at its lowest
. Excess slack in the timing chain can cause a rattling sound or even a clanking sound if the slack is severe enough to cause the chain to contact the timing chain cover.
Can low oil mess up timing chain?
The most common cause of timing chain stretch is lack of maintenance and regular oil changes.
Worn out oil can no longer lubricate the chain and will cause the rollers and links to wear against each other.
Can I replace timing chain myself?
You may find the need to replace your timing chain at some point; however with the right tools, a service manual and some mechanical know-how,
you can do it yourself
. Just be aware that this is a major job and can have serious consequences for your engine if done incorrectly.
How long does a timing chain take to replace?
Overall, replacing the timing chain and its associated hardware should take a qualified mechanic
5 to 8 hours
to complete.
Do timing chains last longer than belts?
In summary:
Timing chains last longer than timing belts
, but they are a bit more expensive. There are no performance gains or fuel efficiency gains if you use one over the other. Cheaper cost was the main reason for the use of timing belts in cars.
What’s better timing chain or belt?
Timing chains generally have a longer lifespan than timing belts
. The reason for this is quite simple: chains are made from metal, whilst timing belts are made from rubber, which simply isn’t as strong.
How long do timing chains last?
The metal links in the chain move on the tooth sprockets on the end of the crankshaft and crankshaft so that they rotate together. The timing chain normally needs to be replaced
between 40,000 and 100,000 miles
unless there is a problem.
Why is my engine rattling when I accelerate?
You usually hear this noise when accelerating the vehicle. Most people call this a pinging or rattling sound. This noise is caused by
an air/fuel mixture in the engine cylinder being ignited prematurely by the heat of compression as the piston is moving up on the compression stroke
.
How do you stop timing chain noise?
How do I protect my timing chain?
You can also keep your timing chain or timing belt in good condition by
self-servicing the car parts that work with the timing belt
. Check each of the valves, pistons, the camshaft and the crankshaft for any signs of damage. If one of these breaks, it will likely impact other engine components.
Does timing chain affect oil pump?
Oil that does not meet the requirements will cause timing chain wear and very expensive problems. This is even more critical on direct-injection engines, which
may use the timing chain to drive the injector pump
. Extra load on the chain, combined with insufficient oil, is a recipe for disaster.
Is it worth fixing a timing chain?
There’s no reason to alter the timing chain unless it’s damaged, strained, or otherwise affected
. If there is a problem with the timing chain, your car will most likely have one or more issues.
How much does it cost to fix a timing chain?
Timing chain replacement can cost between $600 and $800 for a DIY repair, or
between $1,600 and $1,800 with a mechanic
. The cost is high due to the complicated nature of replacing this part. If you want to DIY a timing chain replacement, the parts will cost around $650.
