Timing Chain Tensioners or Chain Noise with link to VIDEO!!

jdumont · **Posted:** Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:10 pm

Hi all, been having a bi$%h of a time getting this sorted out so its going to the dealer tomorrow AM. Read here for the back story

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... hp?t=41189 .

Basically what i want to know is what it sounds like when the timing chain tensioner or chain itself is going bad and how much $$$ im looking at to have it fixed. Im getting this clicking noise coming from behind the A/C compressor area. It does persist when the RPMs go up but harder to hear. Most noticeable at idle, click click click really fast.

LINK TO VIDEO WITH SOUND

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaVaPZcteyI

Thanks
JD

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:48 pm

ok after reading this, it is possible that the tensioner is going. reason being that it depends on oil pressure to keep the chain tight. so either the diaphragm in the tensioner is going or your oil pump is ready to die

jdumont · **Posted:** Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:50 pm

Ok thanks for the fast answers! Lets keep to this post.

I can see the logic behind that. Odd how changing the oil would have started all this though no?

Oil pump means engine has to come out of vehicle?

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:53 pm

I don't know what the best way would be, either lift up the engine off of the mounts to remove the pan or drop the cradle

jdumont · **Posted:** Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:59 pm

FSM says lift the engine is why i said that.
This is frustrating, i dont have the money for this crap right now.

jdumont · **Posted:** Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:20 pm

Also, i should mention (if i havent already) that i really dont hear this noise when the engine (and oil) are cold. Only when it warms up... maybe cause the oil is thicker when cold which is making the tensioner work better?

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:35 pm

yeah, oil pressure is going to be higher when it's cold because it is thicker

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:37 pm

just for craps and grins, you could drain your oil again and put in a 10wXX and see if the noise goes away

jdumont · **Posted:** Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:44 pm

Yea i was thinking of that or adding some Lucas stuff or other thickener as a test. Either way something has got to be wrong to do this with the 5W right?

Guest · **Posted:** Mon Mar 16, 2009 4:44 pm

There is nothing wrong with 5w30. ThunderbirdJunkie runs it from March to October in his KJ, and 10w30 Nov-Feb. Putting 10w30 in your engine will not tell you if it solves the problem or not because:
they are both the same viscosity once at operating temperature.
You will want to try a 10w40.

The whole reason He keeps telling you to put ATF in the freaking thing is for sludge cleanup

However, He must be wrong because you do not think ATF is going to do any good, but you insist on putting Seafoam, Lucas, and other snake oils in it :roll:

What ThunderbirdJunkie thinks happened is you went WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY over on your oil change, resulting in sludge buildup...then with a high-detergent synthetic, you knocked some of the garbage loose, and now it has caused you other issues.

We would heartily suggest that you try the ATF thing before the stealership bends you over for $1000+

DryBones · **Posted:** Mon Mar 16, 2009 4:47 pm

DryBones wonders why ThunderbirdJunkie runs thinner oil in the summer than the winter. He also wonders if this was a typo? :lol:

Guest · **Posted:** Mon Mar 16, 2009 4:51 pm

Drybones is correct :lol:

sprsonic · **Posted:** Mon Mar 16, 2009 5:12 pm

sounds like a lifter ticking to me and they are notorious on 3.7's. i'd remove the oil pressure switch/sensor right above the oil filter, install a manual pressure gauge, cheap at harbor freight or can rent one from your local autozone to make sure your oil pressure is up to par-chrysler specs are as follows.
-curb idle 4 psi
-3000 rpm 25-110 psi
check your oil pressure at cold startup and at operating temperature and if your oil pressure is within those perameters i'd be looking at some lifters or followers as chrysler calls them. good luck

jdumont · **Posted:** Tue Mar 17, 2009 5:44 am

Lifter eh, even clicking that fast? Well its going to the stealership this morning. Im not expecting this to be pretty...

jdumont · **Posted:** Tue Mar 17, 2009 10:48 am

Chrysler dealer looked at it this AM and said timing chain is def slapping something in there. $1,100 and ill have it back tomorrow. Part isnt in stock. New chains and tensioners.... ohhhhh boy!!!

Ill post back after I get it hopefully with good news.

Not happy abt this at all!

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 17, 2009 1:48 pm

That actually seems like a fair price to tear all the way into the front part of the engine and remove and replace the chain / tensioner system.

As an aside: I accidently ran 10W30 in my KJ year round. :oops:

Good thing it's warming up again.

jdumont · **Posted:** Tue Mar 17, 2009 2:08 pm

I was just about to flush the cooling system too.... looks like i wont have to now!!! Its a $1200 coolant change!

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 17, 2009 7:10 pm

jdumont wrote:

Chrysler dealer looked at it this AM and said timing chain is def slapping something in there. $1,100 and ill have it back tomorrow. Part isnt in stock. New chains and tensioners.... ohhhhh boy!!!

Ill post back after I get it hopefully with good news.

Not happy abt this at all!

That's a good price,it's a royal nightmare to replace the 3 timing chains and guides in our engines.

jdumont · **Posted:** Tue Mar 17, 2009 8:04 pm

I actually complained about the cost and the service advisor said he would maybe be able to give me 10% off. Hopefully that means the whole bill not just the service, but ill take what i can get.

Guest · **Posted:** Wed Mar 18, 2009 12:32 am

jdumont wrote:

Chrysler dealer looked at it this AM and said timing chain is def slapping something in there. $1,100 and ill have it back tomorrow. Part isnt in stock. New chains and tensioners.... ohhhhh boy!!!

Ill post back after I get it hopefully with good news.

Not happy abt this at all!

You'd better be kissing the ground and praising God that you did not buy a Ranger/Explorer with the SOHC 4.0 if you think $1100 is crappy for changing timing chains

Timing Chain Tensioners or Chain Noise with link to VIDEO!!

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