In a message dated 05/24/2000 9:08:56 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
gibbonsnc@... writes:
Actually your VR6 engine has 2 chains, a short one that goes from the
crank to a secondary shaft and then a longer one that goes from the
shaft to the two cams. Each chain does have an hydraulic tensioning
device that runs off engine oil. More or less it is a good system but
not as simple as the 5 cylinder engines cam belt.
It is also possible that one of the hydraulic cam followers has
failed and lets its valve make lots of noise. That would be simple to
fix.
Other then that its more serious internal engine parts. I hope you
have a warrenty left.
Thanks for the response.
Your diagnosis was right on. It turned out that the cam tensioner got stuck.
We don't know why the oil didn't lubricate it. Could have been some
machining problem in the manufacturing process. I saw the part. The part
costs 60 some dollars. But the top of the engine has to be dismantled.
Takes several hours to do. Quite expensive.
The warranty didn't cover it. It is considered an attachment not part of the
drive train.
The valve cover had to be removed obviously. Problem, the gasket is a part
of the valve cover. One just can't buy a new gasket one has to buy the cover
also which costs over one hundred dollars. The gasket is integrated into the
valve cover.
It seems that part very seldom fails. However, if the engine starts sounding
like a diesel better get it to the nearest garage immediately. Had the
tensioner remained ineffective for a very long time the cam chain would have
slipped and that would have been the end of the engine.
