Changing timing chain (photos)

[oravla]

Hi everyone,

I'm changing the timing chain in my 99 Chevrolet S10 as maintenance. It has 216.000 km (135k miles). The components were in good condition. The chain stretched a bit, but still within specifications.

Here the pictures, let me know your opinions about cleanliness. I think it's ok.

 

[cchase]

Heavy varnish. What was the OCI and oil used?

 

[Brons2]

That looks a bit nasty to me. I'd consider using a different oil, shorter OCI, or both.

Contact board member Widman, he's in Bolivia and can work with you on a maintenance regimen based on oil analysis results.

 

[jstutz]

I dont see any issues here. Little varnish but i would say fairly typical for a 99 with 135k miles on it. If your concerned then stay with what your using and just shorten up the OCI a little. No need to panic in my eyes.

 

[webfors]

Looks like dino 7-10k runs? Not bad looking... not as shiny as some of us BITOG nuts want it to be. But I suspect it runs just as well.

 

[meep]

Originally Posted By: jstutz
I dont see any issues here. Little varnish but i would say fairly typical for a 99 with 135k miles on it. If your concerned then stay with what your using and just shorten up the OCI a little. No need to panic in my eyes.


yep!

 

[tig1]

As said, heavy varnish. Where you see that ring coking may be occuring. This is caused by the oil oxidzing.

 

[rshaw125]

That chain looks fine. I would have left it in till 200,000. Oil? Looks like a job for PP.

 

[user52165]

No need to do chain.......it's not a belt that is subject to breaking. The varnish is not that bad. Could have used shorter OCI and better oil but not a big deal.

 

[OVERKILL]

Pretty heavy in the varnish department. What oil did you use? OCI?

 

[Eddie]

Looking good for 135,000 miles. No need to replace the chain except for peace of mind in my opinion. Button it back up with new gaskets and keep doing what your doing as far as oil and maintenance goes. Even the sprokets look good.

 

[oravla]

As a summary: 130.000 km with Shell or Mobil dino oil (both made in Chile or Argentina), 40.000 km with Motorcraft 5w30 or 10w30 and the last 40.000 km with Motorcraft diesel oil, because 3.5 years ago my valve cover looked like this. I really hoped for a cleaner engine.

OCI have always been around 6000km. There have been a fow times with longer OCI, but no longer than 10000km. I think that the problem is that I do a lot of short trips

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Not much point in replacing a timing chain after so (relatively) few miles, but it's your car. I hope you replaced the tensioner sliders while you were at it.

 

[sunfire]

It won't hurt to put some oil additives in there. You may not have access to the additives we have here in the states like Kreen and MMO. But I'm sure must have something that works just as well.

 

[eljefino]

That looks like a 2.2. Good on you for getting ahead of the game. They start rattling after not too much more mileage. BIL had a rattler finally break after adequate warning.

 

[morris]

at least you dont have a hole carved in the cover from the chain slapping the cover. like i saw once.

 

[ltslimjim]

I wonder if my dad's 4.3 S10 2001 has a chain or not? Is that only for the flex-fuel 2.2?

 

[addyguy]

Really no need to ever do the TC on those engines, they never give issues.

Got 160k out of a 2.2 Cavalier, with neglected maintenance, and the last thing I was worried about was the TC.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: ltslimjim
I wonder if my dad's 4.3 S10 2001 has a chain or not? Is that only for the flex-fuel 2.2?


Yes, it has a chain.

 

[mechtech2]

As long as you have it apart, change the chain with a good one, for sure.
And the guide, also!
Don't forget to change the front seal, as well.

Sure, you could have gone longer, but it is apart now - change it.