Sounding like a coffee grinder

schizo

Hi,

This morning when I started the car to take my kids to child care it started fine then before I had a chance to release the clutch it started making a huge noise.

I was thinking of starting the engine and recording the noice but I don't feel like starting it again.

Sounds like the chain rattling. The engine is running but irregular. So I figure it's the chain that is the problem.
I've tried searching but haven't found an answer. How can I tell that noting else has been damaged? Like valves etc.

thanx,
Andreas

schizo

I took of the valve cover and checked the chain,

It's definitly slack and will need replacment (from what I can tell).

I've shot a video of the slack.. If anyone can give me an educate guess if there's been any damage to the engine please do so.

[dTQquMGuHVw[/media]&feature=related]Similar sound]([media=youtube)

Thanx,
Andreas

vectra2k9

you get a kit that has everything you need to change it where are you located mate

schizo

I'm in Sweden close to malmoe.

I've sent a mail to http://www.autovax.co.uk/ and requested a quote.
I will change the chain since the car has done 100k miles, even if it's "only" the tensioner.

A followup question.

I've read I should do a compression test to determine if any valves has been bent. How do I go about doing that considering the state of the chain?
It really doesn't sound nice when cranking it.

cavaddict

If you've done 100k i would change the chain regardless matey. The cars i get in are usually 80k ish and i buy em with broken/slipped chains so you've been lucky. I compression test will tell you if you have bent valves cos there will be no compression on the cylinders which have the said offending valves. To play safe....remove the head and check it and replace the chain kit at that time. You could risk cranking it over with the fuel pump or coil pack disconnected to see if you have any low compressions and then you'd know for sure.

schizo

Yeah I'll order and change the chains.

Everyone I've discussed the case with keeps telling me that I'll have to get a new engine/head.
How likely is this? Can I even hope for only some valves to be bent?

Would really like not to have to do a full head renovation or change engines for that matter.

vocky

if the engine was still running you have a good chance the valves are ok :thumbup:

Huskyman

Mine had more slack than that when I changed mine :wtf: It sounds like the tensioner has collapsed mate. When you order the kit I would go for a new crank seal that goes into the timing case and the gasket that goes between the timing case and block, and dont forget a new crank pulley bolt! Order some oil and a filter from them at the same time and good luck mate.
The irregular running could just be down to the timing being out due to a slack chain. Pull the plugs and check them first as well when you go to do the compression check.
As for a compression check I thought you needed tech II kit to open the throttle when cranking the engine?

PS take your time, it took me around six hours to do mine

schizo

vocky: Yeah it ran relatively fine.. sounded lite s..t though.

Husky:
Yeah, I've been telling myself it's only the tensioner.

Will order everything from the list in the sticky. I rather spend £50 to much rather than £5 to little.

I've set aside a weekend for this.. Autodata says 4 hours, so I think it'll take me 4 times that..

Gues I'll have to risk checking the comp. Anyone got a good how.to for this engine? Or is it just like any other?

schizo

The weekend got ruined.. so It'll be another weekend.

But I was thinking. Is there anyway to see if the chain has slipped?
Are there any marks on the original chain?

Would be oh so sweet to KNOW that nothing has moved and that the noise was only the chain slapping the cover.

schizo

UPDATE!

After many if's and but's I finally started today.

With everything off I could see that the timing was not changed (Had chain with colored links)
The actual problem was that the top right chainguide bolt had SNAPPED!!!

Checked and could not see where the threaded part of the bolt was so I figure it's been chewed up by the chain.
Anyway started changing everything and thanks to all info here on the site it went like a charm.

UNTIL i was to bolt the top right chainguide.. When I was about to tension the bolt it just spun. All the threads are gone in the engineblock.

Can I just drill out and make new threads and replace with a regular bolt with a "spacer" to fill out the hole in the chainguide? notsure.gif

ANY thoughts are appreciated.

vocky

buy a helicoil set, they are quite cheap these days and work perfectly - very easy to do too :thumbup:

schizo

Hi,

Did forget to reply to your reply.

Did as you said, worked like a charm.

Everything is together now but it just wont start.

Have I managed to mess upp the timing? I can turn the engine without any problems though!

I did disconnect the fuellines in order to remove the cam cover more easily can this have anything to do with it? Feels like it's a lack of gas rather than the timing to be honest.

schizo

Success!

Went out again.. turned the engine and pumped like mad on the accelerator and wohaa it started.

Many thanks to everyone in this forum that made my cam chain swap so much easier.

vocky

glad it's sorted :thumbup:

schizo

So am I 🙂

Thanx again. :wave: