1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass timing chain or?

1986 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS
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MURPHYCOLT
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Engine Mechanical problem
1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 200k miles

my spark will happen only a couple of times on tester, with eng. turning over for 10 sec. I read that if you take the dist. cap off and observe the rotor cap turning--your timing chain is ok.It turns but,it jerks about a quarter turn stops-quarter turn stops.It makes about a full turn in the 10 sec.that I'am turning the eng. over. Is It just almost broke? the day It happened, the eng. was cold & I had to floor It to get into traffic. It did'nt make It out of 1st. gear & died. There was never a indication before hand that I had a problem. The eng. turns over fine. thanks for your help.
Feb 9, 2009 at 6:48 PM
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2CARPRO JACK
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
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  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Could be timing chain or possibly the distributor gear. The best way to tell is to remove the distributor, dont bother marking anything, it is out of time regardless.When the dist is out. look at the gear to see if about 1/2 of it ground down, happens sometimes.if gear is ok, the timing chain is shot
Feb 9, 2009 at 7:33 PM
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