octo0072000
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lots of videos on the tube seems to be a known problem sorry not in english
- Thread starter cumbriasteve
- Start date
I know loads of people who think chains are far superior to belts - and they are IF done right. Sadly stretched chains seem to be more and more common - especially on smaller cars - Corsas are also prone to it at low mileage.
The best chain ever was on the Rover V8 - no tensioners or anything else to wear out!
The best chain ever was on the Rover V8 - no tensioners or anything else to wear out!
Wallace
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The tensioner was the block expansion!
anto44
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Don't have details of that engine to hand but the only way to know if it's the chain is to check the timing marks. If its stretched and you turn the crank up to its timing mark the camshaft timing will be retarded slightly. Some manufacturers give a measurement for chain wear, you measure it by using the internal jaws on a vernier calipers to measure between 2 links. Its normally given as the measurement between 10 links.
I've seen where chains have been replaced on a guess and who ever changed it never checked the old chain to see if it was the problem before removing it.
I've seen where chains have been replaced on a guess and who ever changed it never checked the old chain to see if it was the problem before removing it.
Nomad
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I know that feeling - I "progressed" to a 10 year old BMW a few months ago (my car before that was so old I got free "Historical Vehicle" tax !)...come to think of it there was hardly any sensors then and problem solving was done with experience rather than electronics, we could fix everything with a half decent tool kit and some home made pullers etc
So far I've had to download a PFD owners handbook (not a workshop manual) as I couldn't reset a flat tyre warning light, or find how to check the oil level (new BMWs don't have dipsticks - it's all computerised)
The past few weeks have been spent trawling the web trying to find how to fix the common problems, and several visits to a mechanic mate so I can use his workshop diagnostic machine.
The latest advice is that I should find an obsolete laptop (windows XP with serial data port), install a copy of the BMW dealer diagnostics software, buy a special cable, and keep that as a dedicated BMW "tool" for my new car.
The latest fix? Using a 2lb hammer yesterday (gently!) has got the ABS working after I got told it had died "it's a common problem" and needed replacing (£2k + labour)
cumbriasteve
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Update:
Cleaned the sensors, checked for bad connections, swore at it and still not running right.
I was convinced it felt like the timing when it did what it did but with so much conflicting advice from the local 'experts' including the main dealer who said it won't be the cam sensor it will be a stretched timing chain, I was struggling which part to throw money at first and did not want to go down the line of fitting two or three parts to fix only to find it made no difference...an expensive pastime.
She then phoned me to say she could smell the car was hot, I soon found the rear discs on one side was binding badly.
I am busy this week so decided to try something, not far away are a father and son from the old school of motor repairs, a draughty old garage full of oil soaked tools, sleeper built benches covered in old parts and wiring looms, a simple pit, a refreshment area that has two old armchairs around a pot belly stove and the obligatory wolf sized guard dog that you have to pretend not to be scared of as you stroke it whilst hoping you leave with the family jewels intact.
I dropped the car off with a simple 'the back brakes sticking and the engine management lights on' aye leave it with us lad and we will have a look.
The result six hours later was the caliper freed off and sorted instead of just simply scrapping it and costing a fortune for a new one and a new cam sensor fitted for a very decent cash in hand price.
The car is now back to a little flying machine and looks like they have just got themselves a new customer for any future issues.
Cleaned the sensors, checked for bad connections, swore at it and still not running right.
I was convinced it felt like the timing when it did what it did but with so much conflicting advice from the local 'experts' including the main dealer who said it won't be the cam sensor it will be a stretched timing chain, I was struggling which part to throw money at first and did not want to go down the line of fitting two or three parts to fix only to find it made no difference...an expensive pastime.
She then phoned me to say she could smell the car was hot, I soon found the rear discs on one side was binding badly.
I am busy this week so decided to try something, not far away are a father and son from the old school of motor repairs, a draughty old garage full of oil soaked tools, sleeper built benches covered in old parts and wiring looms, a simple pit, a refreshment area that has two old armchairs around a pot belly stove and the obligatory wolf sized guard dog that you have to pretend not to be scared of as you stroke it whilst hoping you leave with the family jewels intact.
I dropped the car off with a simple 'the back brakes sticking and the engine management lights on' aye leave it with us lad and we will have a look.
The result six hours later was the caliper freed off and sorted instead of just simply scrapping it and costing a fortune for a new one and a new cam sensor fitted for a very decent cash in hand price.
The car is now back to a little flying machine and looks like they have just got themselves a new customer for any future issues.
Ton-up
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Update:
I am busy this week so decided to try something, not far away are a father and son from the old school of motor repairs, a draughty old garage full of oil soaked tools, sleeper built benches covered in old parts and wiring looms, a simple pit, a refreshment area that has two old armchairs around a pot belly stove and the obligatory wolf sized guard dog that you have to pretend not to be scared of as you stroke it whilst hoping you leave with the family jewels intact.
You have just described my Grandads garage business from when I was a kid in the '80s!!
cumbriasteve
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and my fathers from the same era, he did go posh though in the 90's and painted the walls white, well it was supposed to be white but with the grease it came out cream with a hint of puke
Update:
Cleaned the sensors, checked for bad connections, swore at it and still not running right.
I was convinced it felt like the timing when it did what it did but with so much conflicting advice from the local 'experts' including the main dealer who said it won't be the cam sensor it will be a stretched timing chain, I was struggling which part to throw money at first and did not want to go down the line of fitting two or three parts to fix only to find it made no difference...an expensive pastime.
She then phoned me to say she could smell the car was hot, I soon found the rear discs on one side was binding badly.
I am busy this week so decided to try something, not far away are a father and son from the old school of motor repairs, a draughty old garage full of oil soaked tools, sleeper built benches covered in old parts and wiring looms, a simple pit, a refreshment area that has two old armchairs around a pot belly stove and the obligatory wolf sized guard dog that you have to pretend not to be scared of as you stroke it whilst hoping you leave with the family jewels intact.
I dropped the car off with a simple 'the back brakes sticking and the engine management lights on' aye leave it with us lad and we will have a look.
The result six hours later was the caliper freed off and sorted instead of just simply scrapping it and costing a fortune for a new one and a new cam sensor fitted for a very decent cash in hand price.
The car is now back to a little flying machine and looks like they have just got themselves a new customer for any future issues.
It's amazing how the timing chain un-stretched itself, you must have been lucky and had one made out of spring steel. Good job you didn't let that main dealer fix the car.
cumbriasteve
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At a quote of £450 there was more chance of the main dealer winning the lottery every week for the rest of the year than getting his hands on the car.
They would have probably done it, realised the fault was still there, put a £30 sensor in and said nothing, it cost them a customer.
angellonewolf
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i would go back to the main dealers and tell the bloke it was the sencer
Barking Mat
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Garages and dealers love being to!d they've made a mistake or miss diagnosed things.
angellonewolf
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BUT your helping them
by not over charging the next person that goes in the same problem 
just try to not have a sarcastic voice tone when telling them
Barking Mat
Cuddler of hedgehogs.
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I took my parents car away from a garage who couldn't resolve the problem. They said when you fix it please let us know what the problem was.
I popped back a month later out of common courtesy, and explained. The owner went bright red and thanked me for coming back.
As you say, its about helping people. I'm not perfect. We all need help sometimes.
I popped back a month later out of common courtesy, and explained. The owner went bright red and thanked me for coming back.
As you say, its about helping people. I'm not perfect. We all need help sometimes.
