Timing chain?

On my 93 SL1 w/121, I am hearing the dreaded noise from that area of the engine (as well as an awful thudding sound from the engine as I shut the engine off). The engine also vibrates alot when idling. Just bought the car and it needs some TLC. If in fact it is the timing chain - is there anything else I should take care of while I'm in there? Also, what are the other possibilities besides the timing chain (belt related I suppose)?

Reply to
wannabe_mechanic
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I'd guess an upper (torque axis) engine mount. You can fix it yourself in an hour for less than $100...or have a mechanic do it for $160-180.

Does your rear view mirror vibrate like crazy?

Reply to
Barry Schnoor

Yes it does vibrate a lot, but only when idling (normal RPMs). Would that explain the engine noise as well or just the vibrating?

Thanks for the input

Reply to
wannabe_mechanic

Yes, a new Torque axis mount will solve those problems. It's pretty easy to install yourself, if you have a floor jack.

Reply to
Ratbert

The noise *might* be the engine vibrating against the frame of the car. Often, if the engine mount is bad, you may hear the noise worse when accelerating, idling, or turning a certain direction.

One of these responses suggested you need a floor jack...and while that would come in handy, I removed the right wheel, the plastic fender splash guard, and jacked the engine with a 2x2 with one foot while I worked on the mount with my hands. Maybe a little awkward, but it works if you don't have a floor jack.

Good luck

Reply to
Barry Schnoor

It was the timing chain - caught it just in time... the day I brought it into the shop is the day it started sounding like chainsaw. Mechanic said that I was lucky I made it - pieces of gears and guides all over the place inside.

Goes to show that you can't procrastinate this stuff - $500 vs $2,000!

It does still vibrate a bit when in Drive and Idling (such as sitting at a light) - but not too bad. Mechanic said engine mount looked fine.

Reply to
wannabe_mechanic

How many miles on the vehicle? I have a 95sl2 with 122k, and I'm wondering when i should get this taken care of.

Brigitte

Reply to
Brigitte

...chains are supposed to last the life of the engine - which is a number that can float all over the place depending on use and service histories. I was told they get loud (to a tech's ear) before they fail. Keep the oil levels up and it changed regularly and you should be fine - ask Saturn the next you're in for an oil change and have one of the guys or gals (a tech, not the service advisor) take a listen (at least that may give you some piece of mind).

Reply to
Jonnie Santos

Thanks, Jonnie

Brigitte

Reply to
Brigitte

Regular oil changes Chain would probably last 200k I belive it is fairly easy to take valve cover off and check it if you have any doubts or especialy if you hear wierd noises, there is an automatic chain tensioner that takes up any slop in the chain

Reply to
justastreekin

With regular oil changes, they last a long long time. Mine was still good at 210,000+ miles.

Of course, if you're popping the head off for a rebuild or headgasket, it's not a bad idea to replace the chain, and it's easy and cheap to do it then, too.

Changing the chain's not an overly hard task, but it takes some time. You could do it in a weekend, easy, though, if you've got the parts beforehand and there are no surprises. Oh yeah, and replace the guides then too!

Reply to
Philip Nasadowski

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