ok i need some help here!!! - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

crowbar · 06-25-2003, 02:40

hey guys isome of yous probly already read my posts about this topic but know it gets really confusing. ok first of all i took my car in to get looked at coz it snapped two fan belts... so i left it with a mechanic who fixed it under the warranty... now when i go to pick it up there is no fan belt noise or anything like their was... but he says the timing chain is making some pretty serious noises and it better be looked at soon. he quoted me 250 bucks supplied and fitted, and after talking to two other mechanics they said this was pretty damn cheap. well i showed a mechanic today and he said their is nothing wrong with the timing chain and he cant hear anything wrong with it other than some rattle from the air conditioning fan belt thingo. but anyway.... i get one mechanic telling me their is something pretty serious and one that says theirs nothing wrong.... so im gonna take it to a third mechanic to get checked.. its a fair bit of farking around... but my point is i need you guys to tell me what i should be listening for if the timing chain really is farked... a rattle coming from where? and if it is serious will it be really loud... and when will it rattle all the time or only in certain times...... its pretty confusing. thanks kunts.

crowbar · 06-25-2003, 02:43

forgot to ask..will their be any noticable changes in performance if it is nearly on its way out... and any other information on this topic would be great.

b-juggles · 06-25-2003, 04:04

they can be noticed the most when the engine is idling very low....very hard to describe what it sounds like - a bit like a rattle, and a tap all mixed up...it will b coming from the front of the engine...$250 seems quite cheap supplied and fitted...a fair bit of labour and stuff around involved

SiX_iN_a_RoW · 06-25-2003, 05:49

ok think of chain being dragged over the top of a tin fence, its obvious. It will be coming from the very front of the engine, if in doubt, leave the engine idling, get a long screwdriver, hold it up to your ear and poke around in different locations on the engine, you will soon locate the problem

Word of advice, I was quoted $270 for a timing chain to be fitted, thought that was cheap, got it back and it still rattled, a few months later, pulled it apart and found it was untouched. Your screech may be the air con tensioner pulley ( VERY common ) go grab one from the wreckers or get the bearing replaced, but I would take it to a third mechanic, 2 against 1 is better than 1 against another

Dellboy999 · 06-25-2003, 16:03

Well the less engine pulling apart the better, so if its on the outside and cheap to check and rectify then start there, you at least will do less harm if you are wrong, just take the A/C belt off, start the car and listen, does it still make a noise is an easy way to check and very cheap (free, apart from a bit of effort).

Dellboy999

ebxr8240 · 06-25-2003, 16:13

How many klrs ?? If it's over say 180.000 chain & tensioner should be replaced..When they break valves and pistons make an almighty me$$ !!!
Does it rattle bad for two or three seconds on initial start up from overnight? If yes thats the chain rattling before oil push's against tensioner, meaning streched / warn chain and tensioners etc...Big chance the floating tensioner could be broken...
Pays to buy genuine parts too...

crowbar · 06-25-2003, 22:49

hey guys thanks for your help. i got another mechanic to look at it today and he said theirs nothing wrong with the timing chain all he can hear is the pulley like said earlier. He said he can replace the bearing for 25bucks so il get that done. the car has only done 153 thousand so its not over 180 but ill get it fixed anyway coz he said that it can cause the whole belt system to break or some shit. anwyays thanks guys... it makes me wonder what the fuk that guy was saying when he said it was going to need to be replaced he probly just wanted 250 bucks.

Dellboy999 · 06-25-2003, 22:58

Yup, he replaces a 25 buck part, tells you see all quite now, you think you got 180,000 though on a new chain, that hasnt been replaced, or he is just taking a guess and couldnt be bothered to look properly and tell you correctly.

Cant fry some one without proof ya know.

Almost feel like we should do an undercover op and see if this guy proves he trying to be dishonest or just doesnt know.

Dellboy999

blueoval · 06-25-2003, 22:59

I reckon he was trying to rip you off dude! Better the root around getting a third opinion than being up the duff 2fiti bucks mate!
Smart move man.......always a process of elimination!

EDFUTURA · 06-26-2003, 19:03

Timing chain problem will sound a fair bit like an old diesel troopy at idle - and will possibly appear at other times - especially when decelerating (sometimes on acceleration too).

Sounds like that guy was definitely tryin ta rip yer off!