1999 Pontiac Bonneville timing chain maybe.

DANIEL3SIMONS

MEMBER
1999 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE
3.8L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
184,000 MILES

I hear a kind of ticking sound on passenger side of the engine near the belts top side, also car does not seem to be properly getting power, sometimes downshift on hills and almost like I can feel a surge while driving at times, sometime when step on gas the car has power and other times it does not?

5 Replies

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Spray belt with water if ticking stops replace belt an dtensioner. Scan for codes and check fuelpressure first with a gauge

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Wednesday, December 18th, 2013 AT 7:53 AM

DANIEL3SIMONS

MEMBER
11 POSTS

Ok so its not the belt tried that, fuel pressure is fine, had another guy listen to the engine and he said same thing, sounds like the timing chain is loose and hitting the housing, do you know what signs to look for if timing chain is going out or if tranny is going out? Thank you.

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Wednesday, December 18th, 2013 AT 9:42 AM

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

If a timing chain is going out it' usually starts hard or long crank times, sometimes will do what you are complaining about as well as having low compression on ALL cylinders like 90 psi instead of 120 or so. With your mileage it would be ok to replace it. Your dampner is probabl worn out anyhow. See pic.

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