I have an old Sierra that I was using as a winter hack when the engine became very ill. The engine still ran but would stall if you let it idle, made a horrible racket and was chucking out loads of blue smoke. I have been stripping bits off it today before it goes for scrap. This was the state of the timing chain, I cannot believe it was actually managing to run in that state :shock:



That cog at the bottom of the picture is the chain tensioner sprocket, its teeth have been stripped off, the chain has jumped off the sprocket and started to mill away at the engine block. There should be a chain guide on the righthand side which seems to have vanished though I did find a couple of broken bits of plastic floating around.

Wow that was running??  :shock:

/me plays taps.

Quote from: brummieWow that was running??  :shock:

Yep, but not very well, it wasnt drivable. I doubt it would have lasted much longer, and when the chain goes you normally get at least several bent valves.

The engine is savable in that state but not worth it and the rest of the car is tatty so it isnt really worth dropping another engine in.

Quote from: maximusotter/me plays taps.

 

now THAT is why i say timing chains are better than rubber belts.  THey dont snap and things that would kill a cambelt just make a noise.