What happens when your timing chain goes out?
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.
What controls the timing of the camshaft?
The cams open (lift) the valves for a certain amount of time (duration) during each intake and exhaust cycle. The timing of the valve opening and closing, relative to the position of the crankshaft, is important. The camshaft is driven by the crankshaft through timing belts, gears or chains.
What does it mean when your timing chain goes out?
However, it is possible for the timing chain to stretch with time. This means that the chain skips a gear either on the camshaft or on the crankshaft. The engine’s timing will be out of calibration and you hear the classic misfire sound.
How are gears connected to the timing chain?
Locate marks on your crankshaft and camshaft gears. These gears are connected by the timing chain so that the position of the piston (connected to the crankshaft) correlates directly to the opening of the fuel and exhaust valves (operated by the camshaft) to keep your engine running smoothly.
What should I do to tighten my timing chain?
Tighten the chain according to your car manual’s specifications. Some chains are tensioned by adjusting either the crankshaft gear or the camshaft gear, while others have an automatic tensioner. This will vary by make and model of your car. The important thing is to make sure that your timing belt is as tight as it should be.
Do you need an owner’s manual to change a timing chain?
Locate your owner’s manual. You will most likely need it to disassemble and reassemble various parts. Also verify that your model is equipped with a timing chain and not a timing belt. These two parts perform the same task, but replacing them can be quite different. This procedure is only for replacing a timing chain.