Timing chains

TIMOTHY BOWMAN

MEMBER
2008 SATURN OUTLOOK
3.5L
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
125,000 MILES

My car occasionally runs rough when idling. Maybe once or twice a week. I was told by the dealership it was the timing chains. Is this the problem or something else? How long can I drive it this way without concern of breaking the chains?

Sunday, September 11th, 2016 AT 6:49 PM

7 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

If the chain jumped it would not be occasional does the check engine light every come on?

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Sunday, September 11th, 2016 AT 8:00 PM

TIMOTHY BOWMAN

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I have seen the engine light come on like two times in the last three or four months, then it turns off. I had taken the car in for a recall for the throttle position sensor, but they said it was the timing chains. Of course the car was running fine at the time and had been for a few weeks.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Monday, September 12th, 2016 AT 4:38 AM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

For the rough running occasional like that it does not sound like a timing chain issue. Next time the check engine light comes on take it to a auto parts store and get the computer codes read. Write down the exact code numbers not code descriptions. Let me know what they are does it ever have a engine misfire while driving down the road? I just had one of these I was working on. Had some bad coils the first time it set the check engine light off. The second it did not but had two bad coils. The first time I replaced one coil.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Monday, September 12th, 2016 AT 7:10 AM

TIMOTHY BOWMAN

MEMBER
3 POSTS

You have been very helpful. Thank you for your time!

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Monday, September 12th, 2016 AT 8:03 AM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

You are welcome that is what we are here for.

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Monday, September 12th, 2016 AT 12:12 PM

CPICK1946

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Well,
2008 saturn outlook 3.6.
Saturn tech says codes P0016, 17, 18, 19 points to worn timing chain and other worn sprokets.
Can these be changed without engine removal? How difficult??
Changed crankshaft position sensor, did not cure problem above.
Where to next, need to drive home 1500 miles to fix. Engine runs smooth, no misfires in cruise. Hard starting on first crank but starts on 2nd attempt. Slight surgING rpm in idle.
Yikes!
Charlie

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Friday, March 9th, 2018 AT 9:18 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,526 POSTS

Hey Charlie,

Yep yikes! It does sounds like the timing chains needs replacement. Here are guide to help you see what you are in for when doing the job.

It does look like you can do the job in the car.

Check out the diagrams (Below)

Please let us know what you find.

Cheers, Ken

Images (Click to make bigger)