What happens when a timing chain goes bad?
The timing chain links the crankshaft with the cam or cams so that the valves will open and close in the proper order and on time in the pistons travel. If it becomes stretched the engine may begin to lose performance and eventually will sputter and backfire. If the timing chain breaks in todays cars it can do incredible damage. The tolerances are so close and all of that mass is moving so fast inside your engine that a broken timing chain usually results in several broken or bent valves. That means major work to get the engine back on the road. In fact, it's probaby as cheap to just go to a salvage yard and get another engine. It is that bad.
Posted Feb 21, 2011 (13 years ago)
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