What happens if a cam chain breaks?
A broken timing chain will cause an engine to not start or fail while driving. If the belt is already broken, the engine won’t have enough compression to start. If it breaks or jumps while driving, the pistons will be damaged from contact with the valves. The valves themselves will bend and potentially ruin the engine.
How do I know if my timing chain has snapped?
Common signs of a faulty timing chain include engine misfires, metal shavings found in the oil, and rattling sounds from the engine while idling….
- Engine misfires or runs poorly.
- Metal shavings found in the oil.
- Engine won’t start or fails.
- Check Engine Light is on.
- Engine rattles while idling.
Where is the timing chain located in an overhead cam engine?
In overhead cam (OHC) engines, the camshaft is located high in the cylinder head far from the crankshaft. This requires a much longer chain or a rubber belt to drive the camshaft. In some engines, such as a Chevy 3.4L DOHC V6, a timing chain is used to drive an intermediate sprocket that drives two belts (one for each cam).
How long does a timing chain last in an engine?
This is especially important considering that many modern engines are known to consume oil. In a well-maintained engine, a timing chain can last up to 300,000 miles or even longer.
Do you need a timing chain to drive a sprocket?
This requires a much longer chain or a rubber belt to drive the camshaft. In some engines, such as a Chevy 3.4L DOHC V6, a timing chain is used to drive an intermediate sprocket that drives two belts (one for each cam). Timing belts and chains carry a heavy load.
Where does the timing chain go on a pushrod engine?
As a rule, most pushrod engines use a timing chain to drive the camshaft, though some older four and six cylinder engines use a gear set. A short chain or gear set works well in this kind of application because the camshaft is located in the block just above the crankshaft.