Timing Chain “slap” after replacement.

[Fugazi]

I replaced the timing and balancer chains on my 2007 2.2 Cobalt; ended up replacing the head too. When I reassembled it, it runs fine, but there is a loud timing chain slap (definitely left side of engine and directly over the cam sprokets). I disassembled, reset the tensioner and put it back together (ensuring I had the timing straight). Fired ‘er up and the same “clack, clack, clack…” directly over the timing chain. It is as if the chain is hitting the cam cover. I am pretty sure I “popped” the tensioner (when I took it out it was released), so I am confused as to why the tension on the chain seems so wrong. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Fugazi]

So, I pulled the cam cover off and found that “slack” can be generated between the cam sprokets when I rotate the engine. I am pretty sure I got all the links lined up with their marks correctly. I will pull the timing chain cover again and reset it per all the guides (10 for EXH, 2 for INT and the remaining colored link on the crank shaft aligned with the dimple). Any thoughts on why after getting the timing right, there would be the possibility of slack bewteen the cam sprokets? Thanks for any ideas. Manny

 

[Fugazi]

So, I pulled the cam cover off and found that “slack” can be generated between the cam sprokets when I rotate the engine. I am pretty sure I got all the links lined up with their marks correctly. I will pull the timing chain cover again and reset it per all the guides (10 for EXH, 2 for INT and the remaining colored link on the crank shaft aligned with the dimple). Any thoughts on why after getting the timing right, there would be the possibility of slack bewteen the cam sprokets? Thanks for any ideas. Manny

 

[Fugazi]

Here I have it aligned on all three timing marks. ‘Still have to install the tensioner and the Dorman plug that aligns the black plastic guide to the right. Is there anything else I need to consider before “popping” the tensioner? Once I do that I will turn the motor over manually to see if any slack shows up between the cam sprockets - if it does, I don’t know what is going on. Thanks for ANY feedback. Manny.

 

[Fugazi]

Here I have it aligned on all three timing marks. ‘Still have to install the tensioner and the Dorman plug that aligns the black plastic guide to the right. Is there anything else I need to consider before “popping” the tensioner? Once I do that I will turn the motor over manually to see if any slack shows up between the cam sprockets - if it does, I don’t know what is going on. Thanks for ANY feedback. Manny.

No change, I still get a loud “clack, clack, clack…” when the engine is running that gets louder the higher the revs. The engine itself is running very smoothly, there is just this darned timing chain slap. Is it possible that the timing chain is the wrong length? That is the only reason I can think of that there would be any slack in the chain at any point in its rotation. I checked the tensioner and it is fully engaged (removed, reset and re-installed several times now; checking that the chain actually tightens up - it does). I’m baffled. I am going to invest another $60 in a new timing chain in hopes that it solves the problem. I am tire of throwing money at things that don’t seem to fix the problem - Any insight is greatly appreciated. Please help! Thanks.