The Super Duper Timing Chain Thread!

[jenoll]

Hi all,

Just purchased a 2008 VE ute with 150K km. I am starting to think I bought the wrong ute with all of this talk about timing chain issues. No problems on this ute yet, but I'd like to be prepared in case the issue crops up. Anyone know someone in Sydney who is experienced with doing chain replacements?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Shane 3.0]

Hey guys, first post but following for some time. My sister had her 2011 3.6 replaced due to timing timing issues and metal on crank sensors. I now have this engine 1- should I strip down and rebuild possibly requiring bearings and timing gear. One of the guides was also broken. Could I sell parts off it. I have 3.0 would love to put the 3.6 in but heard not easy. Any input. Oil in 3.0 I change every 7500 klms. I know rev high have some great kits and upgrades for 3.0.

 

[Revhigh]

Even a sludged up engine like this can be saved! The chains were stretched beyond belief, valves were smashed and some of the rockers had come off the pedestals. The engine is off a Colorado, LCA type, incredibly hard to find second hand so the only option was to rebuild it! With a chain kit fitted it's going to be under $2500 which is still pretty damn good!

 

[Shane 3.0]

Revhigh,

So I’ve pulled timing gear off without setting marks, I next want to remove cams as had metal on cam sensors so just searching for issue. Without knowing timing marks is this a major issue or can timing still be set later?

 

[Snoozer]

Hi gang,
EDIT: I was half asleep and a bit stressed when I wrote the original, so I've made some amendments in hope it makes more sense. I'm also infinitely aware this is my own fault, and has nothing to do with where I bought the chain kit or got the instructions from.

So, I need some help.

I'm not a complete muppet on the tools, but this miiiight have been a fraction above my skill level.

Engine in question: VE 3.0 LFW

I had watched a number of instructional vids on chain replacement process on VE (Cloyes and another back-yarder) and was confident I could do the job, slowly but somewhat of a 'colour by numbers' scenario is how I saw it. I also got a written/pictorial instructions on how to do it from the same website I bought the chains (MACE). Strangely, I cant find anything specific to the 3.0, but they all state that the process is the same for the 3.0 as the 3.6. Maybe this was my first mistake.

As per the videos, I positioned the crank timing mark to the 8oclock, locked the cam, removed the chain. Turned the crank ccw to the 5oclock timing mark.

At this point I cross referenced against the written material for accuracy, and it was different...(sinking feeling). The written material states that I should have removed the first chain at the 5oclock.

I panicked at this point and my rational brain turned to **** and I should have just taken a walk or something. I Turned the crank cw back to the 8oclock position, replaced the old chain and proceeded to watch and read everything through again a hundred times over, completely doing my head in.

For reasons unbeknownst, I decided to remove the chain again at the 8oclock position, and follow the video instructions. But.... Instead of turning the crank ccw back to the 5oclock to continue, I turned it cw (because the crank bolt was undoing), but the second cam lock tool didn't fit in that position. (this is where any remaining brain cells left me) So I went one full revolution cw back to the 5oclock, and the locking tool now fit. Effectivley, 1 & 3/4 turns cw from the 8oclock position.

With **** not really synapsing at this point, I figured this must be the right position, and I removed the rest of the chains... I have since come to the realisation that the chains were not in the right position when removed, and I'm pretty **** at problem solving when I'm tired.

Questions:
1. Can I just put the old chains back on, turn everything back the same amount of revolutions in ccw, and start again and salvage a monster **** up?(not likely)?
2. Can I retime it from scratch, and where would I get those instructions?
3. What other options are at my disposal?

Thank you embarrassingly in advance for any help.

 

[Shane 3.0]

I did the same and asked Cloys timing if it’s an issue. My cas. It so bad as only an engine playing with. Got this reply. Hope it helps

 

[Snoozer]

I did the same and asked Cloys timing if it’s an issue. My cas. It so bad as only an engine playing with. Got this reply. Hope it helps

Cheers mate,

Their explanation is a little vague, but it makes sense to some degree. did their solution work for you?

 

[Shane 3.0]

Haven’t done yet, I’m just playing around, had metal in the engine, it was my sisters.

 

[Snoozer]

Haven’t done yet, I’m just playing around, had metal in the engine, it was my sisters.

I've rolled with that Cloyes advice you sent and just got the chains back together. I've turned it over by hand a few revolotions without incident, so that's a good sign!

Thanks a tonne mate!

 

[Shane 3.0]

Just wondering when setting timing marks and chain what piston should be tdc?