Skipped or bad timing chain

Tiny
TRACYDELNOR
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 176,400 MILES
One day my car ran fine and the next it would not start for two weeks. The mechanic changed all four spark plugs and then said it barely had power while driving it and said we needed a new ECM. So we replaced that and the mechanic put it in but never did the three step procedure but I did and it started right up. After two days it started losing power while driving it and ran rough. Then it would not start for two days. Different mechanic said it was the 02 sensor so changed it and now it is running rich and the mechanic is going to change the MAP sensor, but if that does not work he says it may be the timing chain. Would a timing chain cause the car to run rich and lose power on acceleration? Please help it is our only car and I am disabled and my husband has not worked in four months.
Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 AT 5:38 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good morning.

Does it have any codes stored for the check engine light?

Has anyone checked the catalytic converter?

Roy
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Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 AT 5:50 AM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
Check the fuel pump pressure, because if it is too high maybe due to a kink in the fuel line, it could be causing the too rich fuel mixture, but by all means have the engine trouble codes retrieved.
The fuel pressure should be 50-60 psi.
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Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 AT 6:08 AM
Tiny
TRACYDELNOR
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The mechanic just called to say they took the cover off and the timing chain is extremely loose and it jumped. He is going to price it out for me to see if I can afford to have it replaced. Do you have an idea of how much it would cost to have it done?
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Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 AT 6:12 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Okay, good.

My concern is this. If it jumped, then there is a chance the valves have been damaged and the head will have to be removed and a valve job done.

Call him back and ask him if there is any valve damage before starting the job.

As far as price, $500. To $800.00 is in the ball park depending on your area. If there is valve damage, the price goes way up to about $1,500.00 to $1,800.00.

Roy
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Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 AT 6:43 AM

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