Timing chain?

On my 93 SL1 w/121, I am hearing the dreaded noise from that area of the
engine (as well as an awful thudding sound from the engine as I shut the
engine off). The engine also vibrates alot when idling. Just bought the
car and it needs some TLC. If in fact it is the timing chain - is there
anything else I should take care of while I'm in there? Also, what are
the other possibilities besides the timing chain (belt related I suppose)?

 

I'd guess an upper (torque axis) engine mount. You can fix it yourself in
an hour for less than $100...or have a mechanic do it for $160-180.

Does your rear view mirror vibrate like crazy?

Good luck.

 

Yes it does vibrate a lot, but only when idling (normal RPMs). Would that
explain the engine noise as well or just the vibrating?

Thanks for the input

 

Yes, a new Torque axis mount will solve those problems. It's pretty
easy to install yourself, if you have a floor jack.

 

The noise *might* be the engine vibrating against the frame of the car.
Often, if the engine mount is bad, you may hear the noise worse when
accelerating, idling, or turning a certain direction.

One of these responses suggested you need a floor jack...and while that
would come in handy, I removed the right wheel, the plastic fender splash
guard, and jacked the engine with a 2x2 with one foot while I worked on the
mount with my hands. Maybe a little awkward, but it works if you don't have
a floor jack.

Good luck

 

It was the timing chain - caught it just in time... the day I brought it
into the shop is the day it started sounding like chainsaw. Mechanic said
that I was lucky I made it - pieces of gears and guides all over the place
inside.

Goes to show that you can't procrastinate this stuff - $500 vs $2,000!

It does still vibrate a bit when in Drive and Idling (such as sitting at a
light) - but not too bad. Mechanic said engine mount looked fine.

 

How many miles on the vehicle? I have a 95sl2 with 122k, and I'm wondering
when i should get this taken care of.

Brigitte

 

....chains are supposed to last the life of the engine - which is a number
that can float all over the place depending on use and service histories. I
was told they get loud (to a tech's ear) before they fail. Keep the oil
levels up and it changed regularly and you should be fine - ask Saturn the
next you're in for an oil change and have one of the guys or gals (a tech,
not the service advisor) take a listen (at least that may give you some
piece of mind).

 

Thanks, Jonnie

Brigitte

 

Regular oil changes Chain would probably last 200k I belive it is fairly
easy to take valve cover off and check it if you have any doubts or
especialy if you hear wierd noises, there is an automatic chain tensioner
that takes up any slop in the chain

 

With regular oil changes, they last a long long time. Mine was still
good at 210,000+ miles.

Of course, if you're popping the head off for a rebuild or headgasket,
it's not a bad idea to replace the chain, and it's easy and cheap to do
it then, too.

Changing the chain's not an overly hard task, but it takes some time.
You could do it in a weekend, easy, though, if you've got the parts
beforehand and there are no surprises. Oh yeah, and replace the guides
then too!