Pulled my valve cover and I see this. Is the chain supposed to have this much slop with the motor off?

I pulled the timing cover about 6 months ago and the guides looked ok.

Something is probably wrong so I'm looking at this kit: More Information for CLOYES 94201SX

Can anybody vouch for its quality?

Is there a how-to available for this job?

 

Tensioner doesnt apply tension until the cars running. Its an oil driven tensioner so if there is no oil pressure, there is no tension.

Just my thought on it.

 

turn the motor by hand
the slack will come out
happens on shutdown

 

that cloyes kit is the one I ordered for my LSj for rebuild. works fine and OEM quality.

 

That is still too much slack even with the tensioner at rest. Even without oil pressure the spring
in the tensioner should remove most of the slack you see there.

I personally haven't heard much about that kit but it looks identical to gm's guide and chain, down to the timing mark on the chain. personally im more for oem but either way I would do
a balance chain, tensioner, and guides while your in there.

 

Depends where the motor lands. If it stops where the cams are neutral, then some slack there is normal as the rest of the chain will be taut.

If you have some age on the car though, the chain could probably use replacement. They do stretch a little and the tensioners/guides aren't the best.

 

Unfortunately this was discovered as an afterthought. I opened up the valve cover because I was hearing a slight knocking / tapping noise, expecting to find broken rockers or lifters. So I wasn't paying much attention to the timing chain at the time. It dawned on me after that the chain didn't look right so I took a look at other LNF timing chains on Google images. So far, every image I have seen shows a taut chain.

The motor was definitely not at TDC when this was taken. Regardless, this still does not look right.

I have ordered the Cloyes kit and will replace everything for peace of mind.

Tips would be appreciated if you have any. What's the best approach to loosening the tensioner? There's like 0 room from the top.

 

How many km are on the engine?

 

160k km

 

Since its an LNF I believe you need the VVT cam tool to keep them from moving. Cloyes has a how-to on youtube for this.

 

you dont NEED it

 

You do not need any timing tools since you will be replacing the chain, guides, and tensioner.
Ill post you a pdf of gm si step by step replacement when I get a moment.

 

LTBALTBMX Timing Chain Removal.pdf

LTBALTBMX Timing Chain Installation.pdf

 

thank you for the hookup on this.

 

Thanks for posting this. Great for the rest of the community as well. Cheers.

 

No problem, if anyone needs anything from gm si just ask and I can get it. Just about any year
make and model gm made since 80

 

Well there's ya problem!