timing chain?

[Raceit]

I've done some searching and didn't really find an answer to my question.

Is there anyway to "check" the tension on a timing chain without actually tearing all the accesories off the front and actually looking at it?

I fear mine is very loose. The engine has about 200K miles on it and it has a funky sound to it. It will do it with a load on the engine and even when you are going down hill and the engine can run with the speed of the vehicle (it's a A4LD tranny). You can even hear a "metal" type sound at idle.

The lifters were just replaced along with the rocker arms and push rods. So I would assume I could rule those out. It doesn't really sound like an octane knock. It will do it just the same with either 87 or 92 octane.

Thanks!

 

[Raceit]

bump




anybody?

 

[TPLYNCH]

Not that I'm aware of.......

 

[Campo]

The only way I know of to check the chain is to tear it down and look at it.. sorry but I think that's your only option... unless it could possibly be something else maybe valves.. dunno...

 

[rsaverino]

hydraulic tensioner

If i am not mistaken your 4.0 has a hydraulic tensioner in it. It is very possible that you have slack in your chain , but to the extent you are talking about, i don't think is possible. The chain tesioner is a cheap ass plastic job that works surprisingly well it offers a consistint and continuous pressure on your chain with both spring and hydraulic pressure. There really is no metal close to the chain except the gears that it drives and the timing chain cover. If your chain was rubbing the cover then your engine just flat wouldnt run, there is just alot of room all the way around that chain. I think you should turn your focus of the problem to another direction. If you have seen the inside of that 4.0 you would realize that the timing chain is (for the most part) fool proof. I have rebuilt quite a few of these engines, as a matter of fact doing one right now!