Timing chain paranoia

[wilf]

I have no idea of the provenance of my engine, nor of when the chains or any other part were last changed.

I bought it based on the fact that it ran OK with no rattles or knocks, smoke or leaks.

The timing chains have always been silent except if the tickover is very low, .i.e. stuttering.

With the recent misbehaviour that Buttercup has exhibited, poor and rough tickover has been the norm recently, and when the engine is hot, I have noticed some chain slap under these circumstances.

No rattle at all from cold start up, nor if I fleetingly manage to get her ticking over smoothly.

Am I being paranoid to worry about the chains under these conditions? Might it be worth getting an experienced Club "ear" to have a listen?

[milothedog]

I have no idea of the provenance of my engine, nor of when the chains or any other part were last changed.

I bought it based on the fact that it ran OK with no rattles or knocks, smoke or leaks.

The timing chains have always been silent except if the tickover is very low, .i.e. stuttering.

With the recent misbehaviour that Buttercup has exhibited, poor and rough tickover has been the norm recently, and when the engine is hot, I have noticed some chain slap under these circumstances.

No rattle at all from cold start up, nor if I fleetingly manage to get her ticking over smoothly.

Am I being paranoid to worry about the chains under these conditions? Might it be worth getting an experienced Club "ear" to have a listen?

Why not, it cost nothing. In my experience no two stags sound the the same though and you could take off the R/H Cam cover and look down to see how far the tensioner on the R/H chain is out and general condition of any gear teeth and rubber chain slippers that you can see


Ian