Losing power and clueless as to why

[diesel_s]

I recently developed this really annoying sound that sounds like chains being dragged along with the truck and my power has dropped.... I discovered a valve cover leak and took care of it. Now the chain noise isnt constant, but every now and then my truck sounds horrific when started, but most of the time it starts fine. My truck sounds normal driving but sometimes that noise will come back and its so annoying!!!! Now my oil pressure gauge jumps around on cold starts... any clue as to what is going on?

 

[janolsson]

Drop the oil pan and look for bits of plastic in the botton and for any wedged in the oil pick up filter. If there are you have one or more of the guides U/S. Search death rattle.
If no bits of plastic then could just be hydraulic tensioner. Read 00m12 kit threads particularily 2000StreetRod ones as he explains everything in depth.
But in a nut shell the hydraulic tensioner needs oil pressure to put enough tension on the chain for the cam to stop it rattling. When the engine has been rested the oil drains back to the sump and so takes a second or two to build the pressure up on starting. There is a restrictor pencil in the kit to prevent the oil draining back to the sump and a new tensioner also as these can get tired and people advise changin at 75K.
If after a bit of research you do the kit then you may want to pull the valve covers with the engine set at TDC to check the timing is ok.
hth

 

[diesel_s]

I remember seeing plastic in the pan last time I dropped it.... damn..... I was praying that wasnt it, how difficult is it to change the guides?

 

[janolsson]

First you have to establish whether it is front or rear chains.
2000StreetRod has done a write up on inspection.
If it is the rear it is engine out to do. The front can be done in car with the removal of a few bits to get to the front timing cover if you have the tools (including the timing tools otc-6488) it's more time consuming rather than difficult. I think the book time for it (which assumes you have fully equiped workshop and all the kit) is 14 hrs.
If you get in there and find the balance shaft tensioner is u/s then it is best to pull the motor to do that also (balance shaft only on 4x4 vehicles not on 2wd vehicles).
There are plenty of threads by people that have done it including myself.
Good luck