timing chain

[Brian]

I just want to know is my chevy cavalier 2002 2.2 ohv a non-interference or interference motor I think the timing chain is going bad most likely the tensioner and is there a video I can watch on how to replace one I have a friend who knows more about cars that might help

Topic

[college man]

Here are some videos and the procedure.

http://www.justanswer.com/chevy/2oep4-2002-chevy-cavalier-easiest-way-a-timing-chain-kit-2-2l.html

[Brian]

I appreciate the reply but those videos are for a 2.4L mine is a 2.2 on that video the timing chain is located at the top by the valve cover my timing chain is to the left of the water pump where the drive belt is.I have a Haynes manual that tells you how to fix it I just don’t see why you have to remove the oil pan so I just wanted to watch a video to see it being done

[Its me]

Just out of curiosity? What led you to diagnose this engine with a bad timing chain/tensioner?

-Karl

[Brian]

I have a 1995 cavalier also last year I had a mechanic replace the tensioner on the timing chain he said it broke the noise coming from the serpentine belt sounded like a rattling noise he said all he had to replace was the tensioner the chain was good the starts fine the main problem it has is loss of power this happened at the wrong time because I can’t afford it right now I’m hoping it can be alright to drive until next Monday when I get my check

[Cameron]

[quote=”brian52799″ post=107516]I just want to know is my chevy cavalier 2002 2.2 ohv a non-interference or interference motor I think the timing chain is going bad [/quote]

Contact a chevy dealer and give them the Vehicle Identification Number for your 2002 Cavalier 2.2 and they can tell you the details on the engine fitted.

[Bill]

Your Cavalier is an interference engine. I have seen a few with bent valves when the timing chain failed. It’s a common problem on the 2.2 and 2.4 also.

[EricTheCarGuy]

If you’re having performance issues you might want to read through this before you condemn the timing chain.

http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-performance-issues

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Ingvar]

Just for idle knowledge:

GM and Saturn

1.0L Interference
1.3L Interference
1.4L Non-Interference
1.5L Interference
1.6L (Chevette & 1000) Non-Interference
1.6L (LeMans) Non-Interference
1.6L (Tracker 16 Valve) Interference
1.6L DOHC (Aveo) Interference
1.6L DOHC (Nova) Non-Interference
1.6L SOHC (Nova) Non-Interference
1.8L Diesel Interference
1.8L Gasoline Non-Interference
2.0L Non-Interference
2.2L Diesel Interference
2.3L Non-Interference
3.0L Interference
3.2L Interference
3.4L Non-Interference
3.5L Non-Interference
http://www.agcoauto.com/content/List_Of_Interference_Engines

[Brian]

It’s not just the performance issue it’s the rattling noise coming from the serpentine belt area and the reason I think it’s the timing chain is because my 1995 cavalier a mechanic told me the tensioner broke on the timing chain and he said the rattling noise was the tensioner moving around maybe that mechanic wasn’t truthful with me he charged me $370 to fix it is there a test you can do to find out if it is the timing chain before I have a mechanic tear the engine apart.I will take it to a mechanic today I’m hoping it’s just Bearings going out in one of the pullys but I never get that lucky and it be something that simple

[Brian]

It is confirmed the mechanic told me it is the timing chain

[Glenn]

Brian, not to complicate things man, but if your timing chain is broken you couldn’t drive it. It would likely not even crank at all. If the timing chain has jumped time, it would likely run so rough you couldn’t even get down the road. The Cavalier my son owns sat in a driveway for 2 years because a mechanic condemned the timing chain. It was not broken at all. I’d suggest a second opinion from someone…no disrespect to your mechanic…Loss of power could be so many other things beside a slack chain…

[Brian]

I don’t think the chain is broke it still starts and I been driving it for about 2 weeks to work which is only about 10 miles away I had a flex pipe that was broke and it made a loud rattling noise so I thought it was metal from the flex pipe making that noise I had the flex pipe on the muffler fixed at a muffler shop then when it was fixed it still had that rattling noise the muffler guy told me it sounded like messed up tensioner on the timing chain so it’s not really the belt broke it’s the tensioner the mechanic spent at least 20 minutes looking at it had that thing like what doctors wear to listen to heart beat he listened to see where the noise was coming from he checked to see if it was a idler pully that wasn’t the problem the car does need a tune up it has original plugs and wires and fuel filter and I will do that after the timing belt

[Brian]

The rattling noise sounds like having rocks or something in a metal coffee can shaking it around the car starts fine the loss of power is more from going up hill I had it on the highway yesterday and it made it up to 70 mph just fine with no noticeable running problems I has 2 mechanics tell it was the timing belt I always thought timing belts last for a long time like some cars never need them replaced maybe I do need another opinion I wish I could let eric look at it when is the next time you will be in the Cincinnati area Eric

[Bill]

The timing chain is a little hard to diagnose on that engine. It has a distinct rattling sound that a trained ear can diagnose when the tensioner is failing. You could remove the belt and run the engine for a few minutes to see if the noise is still present.

I believe 1995 to 1997 2.2s were the worst years for the chain tensioner failing. G.M. released an updated tensioner that is much better but not perfect.

I always replace the chain, gears and tensioner on them. I don’t want to ever do the job over again.

[zero]

It’s actually a sort of common issue with some of those motors where due to poor oil conditions the tensioner loses tension momentarily and the chain with skip a tooth or 2. You’ll get good running at some speeds and horrible performance at other speeds. I can’t remember the exact way it shows. The only way to confirm that a skipped chain is the cause of performance issues is ot check the “timing” by using the alignment marks.

If you’re going to be in there doing the tensioner it would diligent to replace the chain as well.

[Author]

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