Timing Chain Paranoia

[v8wgm]

What do worn timing chains sound like? Is it a ticking / light tapping noise or is it pretty obvious (like a slapping chain)? I recall someone in the past describing worn chains sounding like a stone rolling down a corrugated roof.

I know of the description of rattles on startup & the rattles on a hot idle which disappear with revs, but I find it hard to settle as engine history is unknown. I can hear a rattle, but in my opinion it sounds from within the middle of the engine

Is it also obvious that the sound originates from within the chain covers?

Stupid questions I know, but when paranoia sets in...........

[singapore stag]

Hi, StagStan had a problem once so he posted a Youtube Vid of the sound, does the sound seem similar?...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2xcCT94cDU

[v8wgm]

Thanks for that link! I was hoping someone would have a video.

Mine is nothing like that, though that's what I would have thought they would sound like. Scary !

Gavin

[deanoed]

hello have a look down the oil filler cap with a torch and see how far out the tensioners are out i once had a noise and when i looked down i saw the tensioner had popped out and was laying on the bottom sprockets and i had been driving it like that

[Marco Polo]

What do worn timing chains sound like? Is it a ticking / light tapping noise or is it pretty obvious (like a slapping chain)? I recall someone in the past describing worn chains sounding like a stone rolling down a corrugated roof.

I know of the description of rattles on startup & the rattles on a hot idle which disappear with revs, but I find it hard to settle as engine history is unknown. I can hear a rattle, but in my opinion it sounds from within the middle of the engine

Is it also obvious that the sound originates from within the chain covers?

Stupid questions I know, but when paranoia sets in...........

Mate,
If you have a rattle from the middle of the engine that could be the waterpump. It may be worth pulling the water pump and checking the condition of the teeth on both the jack shaft and the pump shaft. Also check the condition of the bush in the engine block which supports the waterpump shaft. Measure them and see if you have excessive play. Waterpumps can cause some very expensive rebuilds.

regards,
Raoul

[V Mad]

When were your timing chains last replaced? If much more than 25k then they should be changed (although they can last much longer if well looked after). If you have no history, then you must have them checked. Many modern cars need timing belts changing as a routine.

[richardthestag]

before you go to far, remove the drive belts for alternator and power steering pump, that will confirm it is nowt to do with anciliarys. Check also that the alternator (if still bottom o/s of engine) is not kissing the bottom rad hose.

Also I would check the state of the viscous fan, is it tight? absolutely no lateral play in the bearing etc.

Is the noise a rhythmic ticking or a rattle. ticking could be bad shims on the cam buckets. Mine does that warming up and I understand quite a few stags do, normally around cylinders #6 and #8. gentle tick tick tick on warming which then goes away. One of the cam buckets has a couple of microns wear and is slapping the head casting, i'll get around to fixing as and when I next get to take the heads off, in the meantime it warms up gently.

Good luck and don't be paranoid, if it is chains it is not difficult to do. Save your paranoia for if you find the front jackshaft bearing is fubar !! or you have a waterpump that is made out of butter.

But echo Chris' comment above, if you don't know the history or when the chains were last replaced get em done for piece of mind. I have had one set of chains last just 10k before they started rattling - cheap nasty crap, buy the best from a reputable supplier (no e b a y is not a reputable supplier )

[tonyh]

"I have had one set of chains last just 10k before they started rattling - cheap nasty crap, buy the best from a reputable supplier (no e b a y is not a reputable supplier )"

Ebay do have some reputable suppliers on there, Robsports, Justriumph, James paddock (sometimes) and myself, I like to thing I am a reputable supplier of Stag parts for nearly 40 years now.

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Tony-Hart-Stag-Parts

Tony

[richardthestag]

"I have had one set of chains last just 10k before they started rattling - cheap nasty crap, buy the best from a reputable supplier (no e b a y is not a reputable supplier )"

Ebay do have some reputable suppliers on there, Robsports, Justriumph, James paddock (sometimes) and myself, I like to thing I am a reputable supplier of Stag parts for nearly 40 years now.

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Tony-Hart-Stag-Parts

Tony

Point taken - gets coat

I have bought from your ebay shop and had nothing but great product and results.

Sorry I should have been more specific, trouble is that i have been bitten a few times with cheap barely fit for purpose rubbish from other non stag ****ehawks.

Come to think of it I can think of a few stag specialists who sell ... nah not going there

[Guest]

Hi, StagStan had a problem once so he posted a Youtube Vid of the sound, does the sound seem similar?...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2xcCT94cDU

Sukh, you have me confused with someone else!!!

Jason

[singapore stag]

Sukh, you have me confused with someone else!!!

Jason

Ooops, Sorry, will a pint of beer in compensation suffice next time we meet?.
Sukh.

[v8wgm]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

I think this winter I will replace the chains just to be sure. There are one or two other ticks around. They could be water pump, distributor, bucket or valve guide related but I don't really want to start dismantling an engine that goes very well. It will only do about 1,000 miles a year so hopefully it will last a while.

Searching through the history file would lead me to believe it was rebuilt about 8,000 miles ago but the oil it came with was probably there from the start. When hot at about 400rpm the oil light would flicker but fresh oil has cured that entirely. It's just what other wear has been done.

Re. one of the ticks from under the cam box, it ticks when you blip the throttle, both on the up & down? It's quiet enough when idling.

[Bob Heritage]

Raise your tickover to 800rpm and the oil light will go out.