Timing Chain Guide bolt

[c2rbr]

After about 3 weeks of Cerb ownership ('96 4.2 with ~52k on the clock) I booked her into Offord for a 12,000 service and to fix a few small bits. Just had the call all owners must dread - "the bolt holding the timing chain guide is loose and the engine needs to come out to fix it, of course it can't be driven in the mean time, if the bolt falls out it could trash the engine" OMG - serious cash and a few weeks off the road to tighten a bolt. Has anyone else had similar problems?

[rmaurer]

No problems with that bolt, but my car is in with Offords after 4 weeks of ownership and has been there for nearly 2 weeks now. I'm suffering serious withdrawal symptoms! So far it has spent more days at Offord than I have spent driving it! (Hopefully not a sign of things to come!)

They're giving my car a 12k service and have found several items that needed doing, such as wishbone bushes and driveshaft gaitors. Unfortunately they found the nearside rear shock was leaking and one of the front shocks was actually cracked! I've opted to have Nitrons fitted, so am waiting for a fairly hefty bill...! I'd rather get it all sorted now though to get the car back to top condition.

>> Edited by rmaurer on Wednesday 10th November 09:33

[joospeed]

i dont understand that .. how do they know? can they see it? if they can see it surely if you're on a budget they can drill through the alloy timing cover just big enough to get an allen socket through and tighten it? cant be too far down teh block so culd put a rag down first to ctach most of the bits (would only be a small ammount of soft alloy anyway) then seal a small plate over the hole? woud save you 2 days labour ..

[plasticman]

There are three timing chain guides each with two securing bolts .Some of the bolts should be accessible ( though tricky ) from the top with ground down allen keys .

[GuyO]

Sorry to hear the problem. I experienced this about 18 mths ago. A bolt actually came out and apparently did a hell of a lot of damage to the front cover, oil pump and timing chain. A few months off the road (long story!) and a few thousand pounds later I converted to the dark side (porsche - mentioned it once, think I got away with it)

Good luck

Guy

[c2rbr]

Thanks for the advice. Joos - that looks a bit too much of a bodge to me, although saving 2 days of labour is VERY attractive and I fully respect your advice on the forum. Think I will ask Offord if I can have a look into the engine and see the problem before they pull it out. Roll on the day it comes home.....

[The Phoenix]

You want my advice? Take her to Austec and get a second opinion mate. But dont tell them you're gonna do that just pick it up un-announced...
But me being OTT - I'd rather send her 150+ miles up to Joospeed - even if it was as simple as needing a new starter motor fitted. Trust is not easily earned with me... especially when I've been there and worn the torn t-shirt!!!

[k-9]

I would get it replaced, I have been waiting 6 weeks to get my engine rebuilt (and as far as I know they STILL haven't even stripped it down). A few hundred quid spent making sure is better than 5-6K and a few months without the cerb