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Timing chains

Tiny
TIMOTHY BOWMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK
  • 3.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
My car occasionally runs rough when idling. Maybe once or twice a week. I was told by the dealership it was the timing chains. Is this the problem or something else? How long can I drive it this way without concern of breaking the chains?
Sunday, September 11th, 2016 AT 6:49 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
If the chain jumped it would not be occasional does the check engine light every come on?
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Sunday, September 11th, 2016 AT 8:00 PM
Tiny
TIMOTHY BOWMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I have seen the engine light come on like two times in the last three or four months, then it turns off. I had taken the car in for a recall for the throttle position sensor, but they said it was the timing chains. Of course the car was running fine at the time and had been for a few weeks.
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Monday, September 12th, 2016 AT 4:38 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
For the rough running occasional like that it does not sound like a timing chain issue. Next time the check engine light comes on take it to a auto parts store and get the computer codes read. Write down the exact code numbers not code descriptions. Let me know what they are does it ever have a engine misfire while driving down the road? I just had one of these I was working on. Had some bad coils the first time it set the check engine light off. The second it did not but had two bad coils. The first time I replaced one coil.
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Monday, September 12th, 2016 AT 7:10 AM
Tiny
TIMOTHY BOWMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
You have been very helpful. Thank you for your time!
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Monday, September 12th, 2016 AT 8:03 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
You are welcome that is what we are here for.
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Monday, September 12th, 2016 AT 12:12 PM
Tiny
CPICK1946
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Well,
2008 saturn outlook 3.6.
Saturn tech says codes P0016, 17, 18, 19 points to worn timing chain and other worn sprokets.
Can these be changed without engine removal? How difficult??
Changed crankshaft position sensor, did not cure problem above.
Where to next, need to drive home 1500 miles to fix. Engine runs smooth, no misfires in cruise. Hard starting on first crank but starts on 2nd attempt. Slight surgING rpm in idle.
Yikes!
Charlie
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Friday, March 9th, 2018 AT 9:18 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,961 POSTS
Hey Charlie,

Yep yikes! It does sounds like the timing chains needs replacement. Here are guide to help you see what you are in for when doing the job.

It does look like you can do the job in the car.

Check out the diagrams (Below)

Please let us know what you find.

Cheers, Ken
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Monday, March 12th, 2018 AT 12:53 PM

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