question about damage

robwillis69

okmy questions is if a cam chain breaks, can it cause serious damage like a cam belt, as i understand the are 2 chains on the z22se the enigne i maybe getting has the cam chain broke, can damage be extensive to valves etc??

many thanks.

vocky

normally when the cam chain snaps it does one of the following;

minimum damage - bends most of the inlet valves [head rebuild £750 ish]

medium - bends most of the valves and destroys the head [replace head £1000 ish]

maximum damage - bends all the valves, damages the head, damages all the pistons, snaps the balancer chain [new engine £2000 ish]

robwillis69

ok i see so it's just a case of the head having to come off to see the damage, is there anything phiscial i can do to determin the extent like move the cam to see if it turns ok etc? are these engines expensive to get second hand if i just want to swap the lump.

vocky

you need to remove the head to access the damage

if the pistons have deep valve marks the pistons will be cracked and another engine is the only way forward - secondhand cost £600+

check the size of the oil jet on the new engine, if it's a small type replace the chain kit before fitting the engine - much easier