Timing chain on 94 Q45 replacement?

[pabs324]

Is it common to replace the timing chain on a 94 Q?

It's had a bad tick for about two weeks. The mechanic said it's possibly the chain and it would be to expensive to replace it and better off buying a used engine.

He quoted me an engine for about 2k and that the chain replacement would be around there as well?

[maxnix]

Too high for chain replacement, too low for a rehabilitated engine. Probablly insuring himself against a redo on the former, and not understanding the rehabilitation required for the latter.

Suggest you find someone familiar with the VH45DE as he is not.

Timing chain stretches slightly over 250K miles, but usually does not need replacement even then.
Modified by maxnix at 9:52 AM 6/6/2008

[Q45tech]

Chains stretch from day one! Periodically checking CAS vs crank timng mark advance will show you how the chain is stretching...........the timing retards.

Mine has retarded < 3 degrees in 300,000 miles.

Of course bad oil change habits can destroy anything.

15 years should have had 60 oil changes [4 per year] do you have data on each one?

[pabs324]

No, I do not I but since I've had the car I have done the required amount of oil changes.

What is an estimate for a replacement both labor and parts?

How would I go about on checking the CAS vs Crank timing mark advance?

Could it have skipped a tooth or two ?

[maxnix]

No reason for skips with the metal guides unless OCI very much abused.

RTFSM.

I think you are chasing a white elephant.

[pabs324]

Perhaps when it hydrolocked briefly after I had the pinched O rings on the injector?

[Q451990]

Perhaps when it hydrolocked briefly after I had the pinched O rings on the injector?

Now we're getting somewhere! Hydrolocking can cause all kinds of noises and damage... not sure where to start, but I would think your noise and the hydrolocking could be related.

Heath

[pabs324]

other than the tick, the car is running and shifting great.

I feel like there's no loss of power.

I want to get this sorted out ASAP so nothing gets damaged

[jimbyjimb]

Always use the KISS principal, Keep It Simple, Stupid. Start with the simplest answer and progress to the more difficult ones. The cam followers can tick. Does this ticking increase with engine RPM?

[pabs324]

yes, when it's in park it's louder than when it's in drive but once you start to accelerate the the ticking becomes louder

[Q45tech]

Once an owner or mechanic ALLOWS a Q engine to hydralock it is NEVER the same again.

[qship96]

Once an owner or mechanic ALLOWS a Q engine to hydralock it is NEVER the same again.

Yep, might as well just live with the noise and drive it until it fails, might get 1000, 5000, 50,000 more miles out of it- then replace engine with a junkyard motor if the rest of the cars mechanicals are in good enough condition to warrent the investment.....and current gas prices are acceptable for you to want to continue driving a thirsty vehicle

[Rex]

Yep, might as well just live with the noise and drive it until it fails...

Assuming the hydro lock creating this situation, I think this advice is spot on.

Is the mechanic that's recommending the engine swap the same one that work on the injectors? Wonder if that has anything to do with his "over-quote" of the timing chain work and suggestion to swap in a used motor ???

[maxnix]

Perhaps when it hydrolocked briefly after I had the pinched O rings on the injector?

That changes every thing!

Read Q45tech's posts on how to choose and rehabilitate a JDM VH45DE.

[pabs324]

No, it is not the same mechanic.

What would be a decent quote for a timing chain job?

[maxnix]

$1200 or so. Ever consider going to T-3 or Vanmeter?

[slybydesignq45t]

$1200 or so. Ever consider going to T-3 or Vanmeter?

This would be correct, if they don't just rebuild the entire engine. A timing chain job, of which I had done years ago on another car cost me $1,400, but then I had to have the heads and everything redone. One thing, which I don't know if its the same with the Q45, but anytime you change the timing chain you should PCV Valve and the Water Pump. This is from experience. Also make sure you have at least 1 year or 12,000 mile warranty on the engine after work is complete no matter what.

[pabs324]

it's lifter noise.

[maxnix]

it's lifter noise.

How do you know? Hydraulic locking wouldn't affect the HLA. It would more tend to stress the bearings and rod associated with the affected cylinder.

Lifters are very labor intensive and expensive. A rehabilitated VH45DE is a better bet.
Modified by maxnix at 11:29 AM 6/6/2008

[pabs324]

I took it to another mechanic who told me that it's not the timing chain but the lifters making that noise.

He also did say that it is very labor intensive and expensive.

What are the damages on running the car like this?

[Raxephon]

If the oil isn't changed often enough/routinely the HLA's build up crap inside them and tend to stick or become clogged.

You can remove,clean, and re-prime the HLA's but its not easy and you have to be a little crafty in order to avoid screwing up the timing.

Personally I would just fix the damn problem.

Too many people nowadays want to throw away a perfectly good motor thinking that the problem won't re-occur on the replacement they use.

[maxnix]

HLA noise is most likely unrelated to hydraulic locking.

I still think there is a misdiagnosis afoot.
Modified by maxnix at 1:32 PM 6/6/2008

[96Qowner]

Yeah, I'd make darned sure it isn't rod knock from the hydrolock before I'd spend any more time pursuing HLAs.

[pabs324]

Are there any symptoms associated with Bent Rods or anything I be aware to suspecting a bent rod?

[maxnix]

Mostly a knocking sound the roughness at higher rpm.

[pabs324]

it's a ticking sound and its really smooth at higher rpms.

On the highway the car just goes. It will be a little before the 3 on the rpm gauge and be smooth.

I will post a video later today

[pabs324]

Here's a video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnKX30--Evw

[Q45dude]

Wait a minute, he says its a 94 Q45, I thought only those with 90-93 Qs have to be concerned about changing the chain guides!!!!???

[pabs324]

you are correct.

[maxnix]

Ouch! What is the hydraulic locking "mechanic" going to do to remedy this.