Changing balance chain sprockets...

Taes

Evening all,

In the process of changing the timing chain and balance chain on my z22se, turns out the original front (black) guide had broken and the timing chain was flapping around causing all kinds of mayhem. Thankfully caught it before anything went bang.

Anyway...I read that the balancer sprockets don't need replaced as they normally suffer little or no wear so after a failed attempt to remove them I left them in situ. In hindsight I probably should change them or at least the front one as the old chain has gouged the existing sprocket 'cover', no damage to the teeth though. The chain also damaged 2 bolts in the process and ill need to change these.

Herein lies my problem, now I have got halfway through fitting the new cam chain, can I finish fitting the new cam chain, use this to lock engine in gear and remove the old balance chain front sprocket and guides to swap the for the new front sprocket?

It may sound crazy but I wondered whether I would have enough slack in the balance chain to do it in situ? I know it's all back to front to how you should do it and of course I've already pulled the balance chain tensioner pin (I'll fit a new tensioner if required)

Thanks in advance.

Taes

Dave_Gilbert

@[deleted] is the man to speak to.

Pictures would help determine how bad the sprocket is. And have you fished all the guide rail out of the sump?

Taes

I see evocarlos seems to be the guy who knows 🙂.

Few pictures attached so hopefully you get the idea. The sump is the next phase after the chains completed, i have the compound waiting and i have a problem with oil not showing on dipstick in a different thread.

evocarlos

old chain + mole grips then undo the bolt 🙂

Taes

Cheers Evo, take its a case of take it all apart and start again 🙂

KevinH

The balance chain tensioner can be reset and held by the pin (if you still have it) then refitted and released once the BC chain and guides are fitted 🙂

Taes

Thats handy to know KevinH, i'm assuming reset and insert the pin before i remove the tensioner though? I should have the pin bouncing about the garage somewhere.

KevinH

It's probably easier to reset the BC tensioner with it removed, but ensure it doesn't come apart (best find the pin first - it's always useful to keep one) 🙂

Taes

Perfect, I'll get some fresh bolts ordered up and crack on later on in the week.

Thanks all.

evocarlos

if you can find the pic just use a paperclip straightened out
to reset it turn the piston 45* then push in tuen back to 0 then insert the pin 🙂

Taes

Cheers, is the pin likely to make a break for freedom if I remove it without inserting the pin or does it have a stop to prevent it flying to pieces?

evocarlos

its one part and stays intact 🙂

Taes

Excellent...I might actually get this project back on the road one day haha.

Timbo

Just keep us informed.
Re: the sump - you'll be amazed at how much collects around the pick-up filter

Taes

Cheers Timbo, just waiting on new bolts for balance chain guides. In the meantime i've got the front flexi to swap and might tackle the sump or wait so theres less bolts floating about the garage loose 🙂

Dave_Gilbert

Dont forget the sealant for the sump and make sure you do the sump up correctly, in the right order and to the right torque settings as they can leak.

HarleyPete

I was lucky when @[deleted] did mine, didn't need to drop the sump as the guide was completely intact.

Taes

I'very got the sealant already, need to grab a torque wrench and ill crack on. New bolts should arrive Monday for guides, swapped the balance shaft sprockets tonight though and dropped the front flexi.

Taes

I need to drop my sump anyway Cos I have a blockage somewhere and dipstick doesn't show oil level.

HarleyPete

If your timing chain guide rail was in bits when you changed the chain then it's probably bits of it in the sump. I know @[deleted] said that when we did mine we'd have to drop the sump if the guide was damaged to clear the bits out. I'm sure I read somewhere on here that the bits block up the part of the sump which allows oil to register on the dip stick. Check out this thread, it may help you.