Can a cam chain change lead to head gasket failure?
Discussion
Friend of mine had the cam chain changed a month or so ago. Now they've discovered that the head gasket needs replacing.
The garage they took it to said that a new cam chain comes as a kit with more than just the chain to change. If only the chain is changed, and not all other bits, then it can cause the head gasket to go.
Anyone know if this is plausible?
The garage they took it to said that a new cam chain comes as a kit with more than just the chain to change. If only the chain is changed, and not all other bits, then it can cause the head gasket to go.
Anyone know if this is plausible?
Is the car losing coolant?
Is the 'white goo' in the oil as seen on the dipstick or a mayo like gunge in the oil filler cap?
As to it causing the head gasket to fail, unless the head has been removed or any of the head bolts removed I don't see how the head gasket can have been disturbed.
Is the 'white goo' in the oil as seen on the dipstick or a mayo like gunge in the oil filler cap?
As to it causing the head gasket to fail, unless the head has been removed or any of the head bolts removed I don't see how the head gasket can have been disturbed.
Edited by paintman on Monday 18th February 20:19
They are wrong.
The Vauxhall chain kit does often come with new tensioners (improved type) and other bits, but changing any or all of these bits does not disturb the head gasket.
I've a 2.2 Vauxhall motor sitting in my garage with a snapped chain, and dismantled the front end with out touching anything around the HG.
The Vauxhall chain kit does often come with new tensioners (improved type) and other bits, but changing any or all of these bits does not disturb the head gasket.
I've a 2.2 Vauxhall motor sitting in my garage with a snapped chain, and dismantled the front end with out touching anything around the HG.
Nope you dont disturb the head while replacing the chain all that comes of is the timing chain cover and rocker cover aswel then all the gides, tensioners, sprockets if needed and the chain is replaced a timing chain will not lead to head gasket failure.
It will either be a water leak thats gone unnoticed and overheated leading to hg failer or the thermostate stuck closed leading to overheating.
It will either be a water leak thats gone unnoticed and overheated leading to hg failer or the thermostate stuck closed leading to overheating.
BOR said:
The head gasket could be used to seal the timing cover to the cylinder-block.
Possibly this has lost its ability to seal, possibly needs a blob of sealant where the three components meet.
Really? Possibly this has lost its ability to seal, possibly needs a blob of sealant where the three components meet.
I can't even picture this.....the HG is horizontal, the cover is vertical, the HG sits inside the engine between the Head and Block, the Timing cover sits outside.....
Does a bit of the HG protrude out into the timing chain area?
Depends how the engine is designed. In some designs, the timing case is integrated into the cylinderhead casting, and the block casting. This is simplest to seal, but inserting the chain is trickier - BMW N52 - N55 , and the N20 use this design.
Other designs have the timing case integrated into the block casting, but use a separate timing cover bolted to the cylhead. This is really nasty to seal.
A completely separate vertical timining cover also has the problem of sealing to the cylhead and block.
A lot of these solutions require a blob of sealant into the corners where the three parts meet, and should be avoided if poss.
Other designs have the timing case integrated into the block casting, but use a separate timing cover bolted to the cylhead. This is really nasty to seal.
A completely separate vertical timining cover also has the problem of sealing to the cylhead and block.
A lot of these solutions require a blob of sealant into the corners where the three parts meet, and should be avoided if poss.
BOR said:
Depends how the engine is designed. In some designs, the timing case is integrated into the cylinderhead casting, and the block casting. This is simplest to seal, but inserting the chain is trickier - BMW N52 - N55 , and the N20 use this design.
Other designs have the timing case integrated into the block casting, but use a separate timing cover bolted to the cylhead. This is really nasty to seal.
A completely separate vertical timining cover also has the problem of sealing to the cylhead and block.
A lot of these solutions require a blob of sealant into the corners where the three parts meet, and should be avoided if poss.
But if the blob of sealant is left out the thing that leaks is oil from the chain case to the outside world. Not a disaster, and most owners wouldn't notice until their driveway turns black.Other designs have the timing case integrated into the block casting, but use a separate timing cover bolted to the cylhead. This is really nasty to seal.
A completely separate vertical timining cover also has the problem of sealing to the cylhead and block.
A lot of these solutions require a blob of sealant into the corners where the three parts meet, and should be avoided if poss.
The chaincase also doesn't have to cope with any pressure, so it's an easy thing to seal.
Mr Gear said:
You may not have a HGF on your hands. White goo in teh oil can sometimes just be caused by condensation. Is there oil in the coolant too? Is either the oil or coolant level dropping?
If so, it's HGF.
If the white goo goes away after a long-ish drive, then it's nothing to worry about.
Very true. There are a number of reasons for effectively small quantities of water in oil, beyond head gasket failure. Older design, larger capacity engines with an iron block and simple cooling system are prone if you do short journeys. If so, it's HGF.
If the white goo goes away after a long-ish drive, then it's nothing to worry about.
Some of the engines have both coolant and oil passages going through the timing cover, so yes, messing with the timing gear can get the oil & water mixing up.
I looked into it recently because the gf's Corsa had mayo for oil. Looked like a 'kin ball ache by the time you've done the timing cover (27 bolts) and the HG just to be sure, and then if all goes to plan you still own a s
t corsa.
I looked into it recently because the gf's Corsa had mayo for oil. Looked like a 'kin ball ache by the time you've done the timing cover (27 bolts) and the HG just to be sure, and then if all goes to plan you still own a s
t corsa.Just to add a bit more flesh to the bones of the original post.
The car was taken into the garage because it was over heating. They said the reason for the overheating is because the antifreeze has been seeping into the oil, therefore here's no coolant. The cause of which they say, may because a seal wasn't changed when the cam chain was replaced.
Sounds like some people think this may be plausible. Forgot to find out the exact make of car tho.
Will post an update when I know more.
The car was taken into the garage because it was over heating. They said the reason for the overheating is because the antifreeze has been seeping into the oil, therefore here's no coolant. The cause of which they say, may because a seal wasn't changed when the cam chain was replaced.
Sounds like some people think this may be plausible. Forgot to find out the exact make of car tho.
Will post an update when I know more.
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