Timing Chains (& you!)
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Der Postmeister
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,859
Likes: 560
From: Long Beach, Calimexiforia
Timing Chains (& you!)
Something that has alway's had me wondering! Specifically, slop resulting from normal usage?
The resulting effects who's cause is something that cannot really be called out by the standard troubleshooting methods. So these effects are many times just "lived with'!
1. What is the physical effect and resulting disfunction that occurs?
2. How prevalent is "Timing chain slop"?
3. What amount of slop, constitutes too much?
Inquiring minds want to know? (probably a few non-inquireing one's too!)
The resulting effects who's cause is something that cannot really be called out by the standard troubleshooting methods. So these effects are many times just "lived with'!
1. What is the physical effect and resulting disfunction that occurs?
2. How prevalent is "Timing chain slop"?
3. What amount of slop, constitutes too much?
Inquiring minds want to know? (probably a few non-inquireing one's too!)
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,541
Likes: 54
From: Des Moines
Something that has alway's had me wondering! Specifically, slop resulting from normal usage?
The resulting effects who's cause is something that cannot really be called out by the standard troubleshooting methods. So these effects are many times just "lived with'!
1. What is the physical effect and resulting disfunction that occurs?
2. How prevalent is "Timing chain slop"?
3. What amount of slop, constitutes too much?
Inquiring minds want to know? (probably a few non-inquireing one's too!)
The resulting effects who's cause is something that cannot really be called out by the standard troubleshooting methods. So these effects are many times just "lived with'!
1. What is the physical effect and resulting disfunction that occurs?
2. How prevalent is "Timing chain slop"?
3. What amount of slop, constitutes too much?
Inquiring minds want to know? (probably a few non-inquireing one's too!)
Party on.
Thread Starter
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Der Postmeister
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,859
Likes: 560
From: Long Beach, Calimexiforia
No, I was placing it squarely in front of the "Actually have a Knowledgeable response" Folks that have been known to hang out around here!
My guess is "if it ain't broke/ don't fix it! But that's why I'm asking, because I personally don't know for sure!
The inter-relationship to plug fire, injector pulse & valve function specifically.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,541
Likes: 54
From: Des Moines
I don't know specifics of how it affects engine performance. I think the main concern when replacing a worn timing chain is that if it you let it go too long it will eventually break or skip teeth on the gears, which can then throw the engine out of time and before it has the chance to die, valves and pistons can collide resulting in major engine damage.
I believe if there's more than 1/2" slack, the timing chain should be replaced.
But how's about the more knowledgeable folks you're referring to confirm all this.
I believe if there's more than 1/2" slack, the timing chain should be replaced.
But how's about the more knowledgeable folks you're referring to confirm all this.
Thread Starter
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Der Postmeister
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,859
Likes: 560
From: Long Beach, Calimexiforia
I don't know specifics of how it affects engine performance. I think the main concern when replacing a worn timing chain is that if it you let it go too long it will eventually break or skip teeth on the gears, which can then throw the engine out of time and before it has the chance to die, valves and pistons can collide resulting in major engine damage.
I believe if there's more than 1/2" slack, the timing chain should be replaced.
But how's about the more knowledgeable folks you're referring to confirm all this.
I believe if there's more than 1/2" slack, the timing chain should be replaced.
But how's about the more knowledgeable folks you're referring to confirm all this.
Thread Starter
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Der Postmeister
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,859
Likes: 560
From: Long Beach, Calimexiforia
Is that a "Whippet" on your shoulder, or are you......in need of a good plastic surgeon?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,557
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From: Concord, NC
Slop in the timing belt allows the cam timing to change relative to the crankshaft angle. Moving cam timing will shift the power curve slightly, although this is probably not likely to be noticed by the average driver unless it's a large change (i.e. the chain skips a tooth). Since it's driven by the camshaft, any slop in the timing chain will propagate to spark timing and injection timing through the timing pickup used by the engine computer. I don't know an exact power figure, but all these things will affect overall performance of the engine.
You can check for timing chain slop without opening the engine. Just take off the distributor cap, rotate the crankshaft to TDC moving in only one direction, then slowly turn the crankshaft in the opposite direction until the rotor just begins to move. Take note of the new crankshaft angle - if it's more than 4 or 5 degrees, it's time to replace the timing chain or both the timing chain and timing gears.
You can check for timing chain slop without opening the engine. Just take off the distributor cap, rotate the crankshaft to TDC moving in only one direction, then slowly turn the crankshaft in the opposite direction until the rotor just begins to move. Take note of the new crankshaft angle - if it's more than 4 or 5 degrees, it's time to replace the timing chain or both the timing chain and timing gears.
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Thread Starter
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Der Postmeister
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,859
Likes: 560
From: Long Beach, Calimexiforia
Slop in the timing belt allows the cam timing to change relative to the crankshaft angle. Moving cam timing will shift the power curve slightly, although this is probably not likely to be noticed by the average driver unless it's a large change (i.e. the chain skips a tooth). Since it's driven by the camshaft, any slop in the timing chain will propagate to spark timing and injection timing through the timing pickup used by the engine computer. I don't know an exact power figure, but all these things will affect overall performance of the engine.
You can check for timing chain slop without opening the engine. Just take off the distributor cap, rotate the crankshaft to TDC moving in only one direction, then slowly turn the crankshaft in the opposite direction until the rotor just begins to move. Take note of the new crankshaft angle - if it's more than 4 or 5 degrees, it's time to replace the timing chain or both the timing chain and timing gears.
You can check for timing chain slop without opening the engine. Just take off the distributor cap, rotate the crankshaft to TDC moving in only one direction, then slowly turn the crankshaft in the opposite direction until the rotor just begins to move. Take note of the new crankshaft angle - if it's more than 4 or 5 degrees, it's time to replace the timing chain or both the timing chain and timing gears.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Des Moines
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,728
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From: Cleveland, TN
True, and most likely you would be able to move the distributor shaft a little bit with the rotor if the dist. gear were worn very much....
New User
Joined: Feb 2010
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Thanks,
Peter
