I have a 2000 LS with 3.9L V8 w/ 100l+ miles. I was driving home one night, stopped and turned the car off at a rest stop for 10 minuted and could not restart the car. To make a long story short, it turns out that the chain guide that sits over the cam sprocket broke and wedged itself in the chain and the chain broke. My question is, can the piston hit the exaust value if the exaust cam is not turning? The car was not running at high RPM when this happened. In fact the car was idling before I turned it off for 2-3 minutes without any problems or unusual noises.
Timing Chain problem in '00 LS
- Thread starter mqwdfb
- Start date
nearlyhalfamile
Active LVC Member
I had a very similar problem with my '01 V8. Stopped the car to gas it up, got back in and turned the key and it started running like crap. After troubleshooting and doing a long list of other things. I pulled off the drivers valve cover and noticed part of the nylon chain guide sitting on the inside of the cam cover and and the chain was grinding against the tensioner. Apparently what happened was that after gassing up, when I turned the key to start the car, the guide broke off and when through the chain and gear and caused the chain to scrape against the housing and for the exhaust cam to become one tooth off in timing, which caused it to run horribly. In my opinion... the tensioners and nylon guides of this engine are faulty.
97stscaddy
Dedicated LVC Member
Its very possible some of the valves may be bent. Its not just the exhaust valves you should worry about either. You'll probably have to replace several valves on the side that broke, and have the pistons and rods checked for damage as well.
As per your poll question, who knows. Ive heard of several of the 2000 models throwing timing chains, but it apparently isn't a problem that is widespread or Ford would have likely issued a recall on it. And the ones Ive heard of had well over 100k miles. From what ive been told by the mechanics at work, the chains and guides should be inspected at least every 100k miles. In my mind, its a good idea to just replace them every 100k if the rest of the engine is in good shape. A chain/guide set costs all of $150. That's a lot cheaper than replacing an engine.
As per your poll question, who knows. Ive heard of several of the 2000 models throwing timing chains, but it apparently isn't a problem that is widespread or Ford would have likely issued a recall on it. And the ones Ive heard of had well over 100k miles. From what ive been told by the mechanics at work, the chains and guides should be inspected at least every 100k miles. In my mind, its a good idea to just replace them every 100k if the rest of the engine is in good shape. A chain/guide set costs all of $150. That's a lot cheaper than replacing an engine.
nearlyhalfamile
Active LVC Member
Well that valve cover gasket/ignition coil problem must might not be that much of a problem then!
ILLS
Dedicated LVC Member
If you do end up having to get a new engine then I will buy one or two sets of your stock piston and connecting rods from you. You can make a little bit of money with what would otherwise just be junk if it is all replaced.
These will be for future prototyping a custom set of billet connecting rods and pistons for the LS STS turbo demo car if more power is wanted.
These will be for future prototyping a custom set of billet connecting rods and pistons for the LS STS turbo demo car if more power is wanted.
97stscaddy
Dedicated LVC Member
timing chain
I was very dissappointed with the local dealer hip. It took them three weeks to finally remove the value cover to identify the issue and to refuse repair the car short of replacing the motor. what is a good source for parts since i am probably going to repair this myself?
I was very dissappointed with the local dealer hip. It took them three weeks to finally remove the value cover to identify the issue and to refuse repair the car short of replacing the motor. what is a good source for parts since i am probably going to repair this myself?
ILLS
Dedicated LVC Member
If you truly jumped timing and could not even turn the engine over then that is usually sign that pistons are contacting valves. The 3.9 V8 is an interference engine which means if the timing chain fails then hard metal parts will smack into each other harder than Jerry Rice getting tackled by the Fridge. Even if you only were turning the engine over with the starter it will still have enough torque to do damage to your valves if the timing chain was off at that time.
If that is what happened then it is very likely that various intake and exhaust valves will need to be replaced along with the guides and also pistons too along with possibly various timing parts on the front of the engine. Either way it will be a somewhat in depth engine rebuild. I have no idea how familiar you are with this stuff but I would suggest that unless you have built engines before that it be left to a professional.
Good luck with it all.
If that is what happened then it is very likely that various intake and exhaust valves will need to be replaced along with the guides and also pistons too along with possibly various timing parts on the front of the engine. Either way it will be a somewhat in depth engine rebuild. I have no idea how familiar you are with this stuff but I would suggest that unless you have built engines before that it be left to a professional.
Good luck with it all.
The issue is more about time. I've rebuilt many engines years ago. Fortunatelyonly the exaust cam chain broke, and the engine probable has not run very long or at high speed. Theres hope that the bottom half of the engine may not be damage, but you have answered my question about probable contact between the piston and values.
97stscaddy
Dedicated LVC Member
If one side broke I imagine the other side isn't very far behind. It shouldn't be to hard to pull the timing cover and replace the guides, just time consuming, since youll have to pull pretty much everything off the front of the engine. And the head work will probably be the same way. Just be glad you dont have an 03+ model with the VVT engine.
I cant believe it took them 3 weeks to do 30 minutes of diagnostic work though.
I cant believe it took them 3 weeks to do 30 minutes of diagnostic work though.