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Timing chain repair


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jhensarl3
New User

Jul 26, 2010, 4:28 PM

Post #1 of 4 (2076 views)
Timing chain repair Sign In

Should I have to pay for this repair?

I have a 98 Saturn SL2 with 140,000 miles on it.
I took it to a locally-owned repair shop (that has a good reputation) because the accelerator was sticking. They said the throttle body needed to be cleaned.
After cleaning the throttle body (chemical and brush cleaning while on the car) they tried to start the car and heard a loud back-fire.
The car will not start. Only 25 pounds of compression in each of the cylinders.
They pulled the valve cover and discovered the timing chain has slipped.
The shop claims they did not cause the timing chain to slip, that it is just a coincidence.
Therefore they say I am responsible for the timing chain repair.



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jul 26, 2010, 4:48 PM

Post #2 of 4 (2071 views)
Re: Timing chain repair Sign In

The timing chain was already worn out. Nothing they did caused any more wear to the chain than it already had. The backfire just exposed it. You needed to change it anyway. Be thankful it didn't happen on the highway and have to be towed in. It would have if you continued to drive it.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Jul 26, 2010, 4:48 PM)


jhensarl3
New User

Jul 26, 2010, 5:13 PM

Post #3 of 4 (2062 views)
Re: Timing chain repair Sign In

The 98 Saturn has an actual chain, not a belt. Does a chain wearout? I tore into the engine to replace a head gasket 4 years ago (about 90,000 miles). I just re-used the chain (replaced the guides). Should I have replaced the chain at that time?


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jul 26, 2010, 5:17 PM

Post #4 of 4 (2058 views)
Re: Timing chain repair Sign In

The Saturn has one of the highest timing chain failure rates of any engine, especially the DOHC like you have. The chain is so long, it gets stretched out easily and all the guides wear out. You also have to be very careful of bending valves because I believe it's an interference engine. I'm betting that chain was making a lot a rattling noises leading up to this. It should have been changed long ago.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Jul 26, 2010, 5:18 PM)






 
 
 






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