There are a lot of parts inside your car and engine. One of the main components is the timing chain or belt. This is the central part that connects the motor to the wheels.
Depending on the car the timing belt will be rubber or a metal chain. If it is rubber, then there are not a lot of signs that it is going to break, but if you have a metal timing chain, there are a few things you can watch out for so you can be warned before it breaks.
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If your timing chain breaks, then that is a terrible thing. Normally the whole engine will need to be rebuilt. This is because things get out of sink when it breaks and your pistons will smash into the valves.
In simpler terms, the engine parts ram into each other and become damaged. If your timing belt breaks then the car will not run. It won’t start or do anything.
This is because the timing chain connects the crankshaft to the camshaft. The crankshaft is what rotates overtime the pistons go up and down inside the cylinders in the engine.
The camshaft has teeth that the timing belt connects to and then it connects to the teeth on the crankshaft. As the camshaft spins, the power goes throw the spinning belt and rotates the crankshaft.
The crankshaft then spreads the energy to the wheels, and that is what allows the axel and wheels to spin. Without the timing belt, the power being generated in the engine cannot be transferred to the wheels.
These sounds can be metal sounding or like a jingle sound. It will kind of sound like you is shaking your keys or a metal chain. These sounds occur because the timing chain is getting loose and hitting things as it spins.
The main time that you will hear these sounds is when you are first starting your car. This is because that is when the engine is producing the most power and causing the chain to move around.
Any clanging or pinging sound from your engine is serious. Even if it is not the timing chain or belt having issues, it is probably something else that needs to be looked at. That is why it is essential to have your car checked out if you hear any odd sounds coming from the engine or from under the hood of your vehicle.
This is because if your engine is old or not running right, it might start burning oil. Paying attention to burning oil is also an indicator method that can be used even on cars with rubber timing belts that don’t rattle like a metal timing chain.
If your timing chain has jumped, then some rattling might also still happen. If the chain only jumps one tooth, then the car might even run it just won’t run right. If the timing chain has jumped, you can start the car with he hood open and see if it takes the engine longer then normal to turn over. If it does take longer to turn over, then the timing chain has probably jumped, especially if there are noises as you try to start the car.
Also, you can pay attention to if there is backfiring in the engine. If the engine has a popping noise, then it is backfiring and probably has a jumped timing chain, especially if there are other noises too. Also, engine stumbling, especially during acceleration, can be a sign that the timing belt has jumped and that the engine isn’t running right.
If your timing belt jumps, then you need to fix it right away or have it fixed without driving the vehicle more. More driving can cause the engine to get damaged or worse the chain to break completely.
If you know what you are doing, then you can take the timing cover off and work your way into where the timing chain is connected and remove it. Once removed you can put a new one on. This is easier said then down though.
A lot of times to get that far into the engine where the crankshaft and camshaft are you have to remove a lot of other parts. On most vehicles, you have to remove the serpentine belt and the things it is connected too. This means removing the alternator, water pump, and anything else that is in the way.
For inexperienced people, this isn’t possible and even if you know what you are doing it can be a lot of work. While you are doing this work, your car can not be used, and you have to make sure you put everything back correctly. Also, another downside of doing it yourself is if something goes wrong, then the only person that is reliable for it is yourself. This is why for most people it is a good idea to now replace a timing chain or belt yourself.
Instead, you can find a reputable mechanic and have them replace the timing chain for you. That way you know someone with experience is doing it and that it is being done right. Also, by letting a shop do it, if it does get done wrong, then they are liable.
The timing chain or belt is a very crucial part of your vehicle. It is how the power gets from he engine to the tires. If the timing chain breaks, then the engine is done for. That is why it is a good idea to keep an eye on your timing chain or belt. For belts, it is even more important since they don’t have a lot of signs before they break. Metal timing chains, however, can jump and does have some warning. If your car is burning a lot of oil or you have rattling noises in the engine, then you should have your timing chain looked at, and possibly replaced if it is old.
I am trying to start a 1940 Buick. All the timing seems to be in the right places however i get no response from the engine. Points, condenser, wires, spark plugs distributor cap battery cables all new. Engine cranks spark happens but no start. Could the timing chain cause this engine to not start? Say if it had jumped one or two teeth.
In all my years I have never had this much starting an engine. Oh yes compression a bit low but that should increase as the engine starts and runs. Where should I look next?
Dick Green
Did you check fuel pump and filter. When engine is not used gasoline will evaporate and will leave a varnish. If you have fuel to carborator and no start check float level and point valve in caberator
thank u i hope motor didnt get broke inside it just stop running pull over and got towed to shop
I replace my valve cover gasket and when I put it back I heard a very loud noise in the front of the engine, l notice that I lost a lot of oil due to leak on my valve cover gasket,I am wondering what is that very loud noise on the ingenue,l went back and opened the valve cover again and inspect if I left something inside but I found nothing.and then suddenly the engine won’t turn at all as if something stock on the engine, I went underneath and turn the engine via the crankshaft and finally it turn and when I start again same thing loud noise
Can you please help me with this
Hi!
What car and what engine do you have?
Does the engine start, or just cranks without starting?
Do you get one 'loud sound' while cranking, or more (follows cranking)?
While renewing valve cover gasket, did you take apart any intake parts (MAF, hoses or so)?
From your description, it seems that the engine timing belt/chain has jumped several teeth.
Mechanic did not install timing chain correctly (he admitted) , picked up car, drove near 2 miles, car shut down, won't start, had it towed to my house. Is it possible it only jumped time ? Chrysler Sebring 2.7 ...
I need more sign, but i think it only jumped time. Hope so :).
what to do if a car jump a timmy chain
I recently bought a 2004 Sequoia with the V8. It has some miles on it 197,000 but it ran smoothly and the previous owner had all of the service and repair invoices since he own the car. I got it license and had been driving it around town. The clutch fan started making a grinding and clicking sound so I had it replaced. The noise disappeared and everything seemed fine. The engine ran quietly and smoothly again until on my way home on the freeway, it suddenly quit with the motor sort of rumbling but no mechanical clanking or clinking or broken parts sounds. I had the car towed to the nearest garage and gave them the ok to diagnose the motor. They diagnosed it as possible having a jumped timing chain as there was one side (4 cylinders) that has no compression. I didn’t get a good vibe from this shop so I had it towed again to a guy the runs a shop out of his garage that I know and trust. Unfortunately he was stacked up with work and told me that since the engine is a consecutive motor that most likely the engine is shot as all the valves would be bent etc etc... Having read up on this problem on your site and others, I know there is a chance the motor may be ok and that if I were to have a new timing belt installed and if the oil was drained and examined for shavings and pieces of parts, it may be ok? I’m sort of up a tree and need some good advice what to do here. I don’t have much in the car $4000 but I feel not right in just assuming that the engine is shot just by assuming it is. I didn’t drive it after the breakdown, I pulled it over right away and only cranked it a few times to restart. Funny thing as the tow truck driver was unhooking it he gave me his number and said if I wanted to sell it as is and the price is right he would be interested. Interesting the tow truck driver has a relationship with the garage. This made me very suspicious. I need some advice what to do next. I like the car it has all the features I want to turn this into a trip and camping vehicle. Please Help Thanks in advance for your help.
Hi Mike ! So my Jeep wrangler is 20 yrs old and 260,000 miles . If she's jumped timing what are all the parts that need to be replaced ? She starts and runs but has hard starts and a bad fuel smell at start also I do hear a clanking or tapping when first starting in the morning . Just want to keep my mechanic honest . Thank you .
Hi Mike,
I have an audi a4 b8 1.8 tfsi 160 bhp. Few days ago started to struggle to start and EML came on. also it's got a rough idle. what do you think it can be please?
Hi Mike,
I have 2006 honda jazz automatic and its very hard to start, backfires but ones start its drives like perfect feels like no problem,
but as soon as I turn the car off and try again it does the same thing again, long cranking, backfire and the start with low rpm and then runs fine.
any suggestion?
The oil was changed at the auto center when the mechanic went to start it to back it out of the shot all it will do is crank wont start Was told timing jumped My suv was running perfect no knocking nothing