Which route should I go ?
Which route should I go ?
Hey Folks, I tried fixed my 09 Cobalt SS LNF at 71,000 miles. I found 2 lash adjusters and 2 rocker arm broke off...I fixed it n started my car. It runs like a Harley Davidson...Just terrible...I got somebody saying that my timing chain has jumped. I called 2 shop close by my home and I got an estimated around $1,400 and if they find something else then will be added to the price. Should I do that or just get brand new motor LDK and I don't have to worry about it ?
You should have checked the timing before you just replaced the rocker arms and stuff, they don't normally just break off. Two on the same cylinder? Did anything happen to cause the valvetrain damage?
Pull the front cover and verify the timing, not hard to do on these cars.
How many miles on your engine? Good maintenance history? I usually only see timing chains jumped on high mileage fleet cars that have had infrequent oil changes and overall very poor maintenance history. If that happens you should replace the tensioner and chain/guides, also I would suggest the cam gears but they get expensive on the VVT cars.
Pull the front cover and verify the timing, not hard to do on these cars.
How many miles on your engine? Good maintenance history? I usually only see timing chains jumped on high mileage fleet cars that have had infrequent oil changes and overall very poor maintenance history. If that happens you should replace the tensioner and chain/guides, also I would suggest the cam gears but they get expensive on the VVT cars.
Shortblock won't solve his problem he will still need to get a timing kit and diagnose the original source of the issue. Plus he's paying someone to install it if he's getting quotes on the timing kit, so add another $1500 there.
Cheaper to fix your engine if all it has is timing/valvetrain damage.
Cheaper to fix your engine if all it has is timing/valvetrain damage.
When I bought the car it has clean car history there...But I don't know what the previous owner did to this car. It had only downpipe and exhaust on the car that was it. I added ZZP intercooler and ZZP air box mod to it and left everything else stock even for PCM as well. I've tried bitch at Chevrolet about the engine and they won't do it...They were saying just need timing chain. I know I have porous block in my car that I don't want them to fix timing chain. ZZP has complete LDK block for $2,000 except intake manifold, injectors, fuel pump, and turbo assembly. I can easily take mine off and put it on LDK then BAM!
There's a lot more cost to replacing the engine than just the engine itself. If you're going to have someone do the timing, then you're probably going to have someone put the engine in, and that labor will be pretty expensive. A new clutch would be an extremely good idea, for example. It sounds like you're just throwing money at the problem at this point. A new engine is an extremely expensive new part to throw at it.
If your chain skipped a tooth then it probably hasn't done anything to the bottom end, so that would just be wasted money. I haven't done it myself, but you should be able to easily tell if your chain is off by just popping the VC and looking for the marks on the cam gears.
If your chain skipped a tooth then it probably hasn't done anything to the bottom end, so that would just be wasted money. I haven't done it myself, but you should be able to easily tell if your chain is off by just popping the VC and looking for the marks on the cam gears.
You can't assume the marks will line up with the chain and gears, but if you turn the crank pulley to the mark on the front cover and see if the cam gear marks are equidistant from the head surfaces. Usually only one cam jumps, in my experience.
I've done it before replacing the engine in and out with somebody. I know a friend does have motor lift...I know it's gonna be hell but gotta get my car running! I'll get it checked out and see if it has skipped the timing.
There's a lot more cost to replacing the engine than just the engine itself. If you're going to have someone do the timing, then you're probably going to have someone put the engine in, and that labor will be pretty expensive. A new clutch would be an extremely good idea, for example. It sounds like you're just throwing money at the problem at this point. A new engine is an extremely expensive new part to throw at it.
If your chain skipped a tooth then it probably hasn't done anything to the bottom end, so that would just be wasted money. I haven't done it myself, but you should be able to easily tell if your chain is off by just popping the VC and looking for the marks on the cam gears.
If your chain skipped a tooth then it probably hasn't done anything to the bottom end, so that would just be wasted money. I haven't done it myself, but you should be able to easily tell if your chain is off by just popping the VC and looking for the marks on the cam gears.
I would know, I did it. There are still other costs. My total job was much more than $2k. Just making sure it's accounted for.
ModeratorJoined: 04-18-14
Posts: 16,421
Likes: 603
From: El Paso, TX
Not a bad price for a brand new engine tho if i get some extra cash which i have but ill consider it at a later time. I will get one to replace my engine once it says bye bye then rebuild that one and sell it
Yeah, i switched back-and-forth from the drop in motor to the current LNF situation. Sorry to confuse. Honestly, that was one of my considerations to getting the longblock vs. shortblock. Went with the longblock to avoid timing, etc.
Member
Joined: 11-29-14
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: West Memphis, AR
or like a crx lol. You sound like youre going to need a dd for a little bit. I'd find a used lnf motor, do the labor yourself, and let the wheels keep rolling while youre building a new replacement engine. If youre going to build an engine, you might as well make it bulletproof, if not all that money spent and time lost IMO wont be worth it.