jlong3382

On Monday I was driving my 50 mile commute home from work. I was low on fuel at the time but, I knew I could make it home. About 5 miles from home the tachometer started hiccupping about 300 rpm. At the time I thought it was from being low on fuel. No unusual lights or anything (except for the low fuel light of course). I got home and shut the car off. Being afraid I was so low on gas the car would not restart, I went down to the barn to get the 5 gallon gas can and took another vehicle in to the nearest town (10 miles away) to get gas. When I returned, I put the 5 gallons in the car and ate dinner.

The next morning, I went to start the car and it cranked but didn’t even try to start. Over the next 2 days, in my spare time, I tested for fuel pressure and spark on all cylinders. It had both. On Thursday, out of ideas, I had it towed to the dealership.

On Friday, I got a call from the service advisor……….

There was no compression on ANY of the cylinders. They checked the timing and it was off. They called it “timing system component failure.” As most of you know the 2.2L (L61) is an interference engine. Meaning that if there is a “timing system component failure,” the valves decide that want to get intimate with the pistons.

Has anyone ever heard of this happening to a 2.2L with only 65K? I keep up on my maintenance religiously. Please share your thoughts.

UPDATE: The timing tensioner failed. The timing chain jumped and bent the valves. Lower end of engine is ok. Upper end of engine being rebuilt.

ECaulk

iTrader: (6)

Did the tensioner just crap out on you? Are you a stock L61? I drove the crap outta my old L61 and traded it in at 93k no issues at all

Xmetalhead2003X

iTrader: (3)

I'm creeping on 62k and don't have any issues. Routine maintenance always done. If you're stock, I don't know what would cause it other than a chain or guide.

Slowbalt2000

iTrader: (1)

Hopefully you still have powertrain warranty! Otherwise, i smell an engine build!

mongorat427

iTrader: (82)

I bought a couple engines that the black guide failed up on top causing various problems including bent valves

574

iTrader: (5)

Where you at in Indiana?? I'm in southbend. Does not sound good for sure

jlong3382

It's got an intake, full exhaust, and a tune. I don't know what exactly failed yet, they're still taking it apart.

Powertrain warranty ran out in January.

nhanson

iTrader: (1)

This doesnt sound right. You should hear when valves hit pistons. Also if the car cranked just fine then it just seem right.

Pull the valve cover yourself and look.

silvercharged

iTrader: (1)

Doesnt add up it ran when shut off... So when did it go boom then because you would hear it make unusual noises

jlong3382

That's what I thought. The engine did crank more quickly than normal. They're still taking things apart. I've been doing business with this dealership for years and they've never cheated me.

armcclure

iTrader: (2)

..

jlong3382

I'm about 10 miles SW of Bluffton.

armcclure

iTrader: (2)

Like poneto / liberty center area?

jlong3382

Further than that. I'm in the boot of Wells county.

armcclure

iTrader: (2)

Ahh jackson township. Mcnatt/dillman? I grew up just east of SW. Graduated 07. Always hung out over in jackson though with coco.

BLKLS

Most times when a timming chain component fails it does it on start up. That's a very stressful time on the engine. Sounds like maybe a guide or the tensioner failed and may have jumped a tooth when it was running, or became loose enough to make the timing stumble, when he went to start it is when it probably jumped time and bent the valves.

I at 110K, I updated my timing chain tensioner around 60k. Let us know what failed. I'd like to know.

jlong3382

That's interesting to know. I'll keep you updated.

jlong3382

Updated.

umrdyldo

iTrader: (1)

Damn, well good luck. Build her strong

jlong3382

The dealership the car is at is rebuilding it but, they are using the redesigned timing tensioner.