joe82531

I have a 2000 gt. All stock except for intake and exhaust. It recently broke a timing chain while it was on the highway. My girlfriend was driving at the time and didn't know what the noise was. So she drove about a mile with the timing chain snapped. I got it replaced. But the engine runs weak at low rpm. (belowe 2300). It smokes when it's cold. White wispy smoke. It's not anifreeze cause I got the head gasket checked. And the coolant level hasn't dropped. Mabey a bad airflow sensor or fuel sensor? Internal damage from the tiki g chain breaking? Should I replace the engine or try and fix the one in there? 123k on 4.6 v8.

jamesjdug

Wow, you're lucky that engine is still runnable! The Ford modular SOHC & DOHC engines are interference engines, so if the timing chain breaks, and a valve is stuck in the down position, which is normally the case, the piston comes up when the valve shouldn't be there, and whammo! Usually the engine is shot, as there is extensive valvetrain and piston damage. One or more of the valves might be damaged, giving you those symptoms. Is the check engine light on? If so, have it scanned for codes. Who did the chain replacement? I'd ask them about it, and if you're going to keep the car, maybe do a rebuild on the engine, or find another decent engine to replace it with.