Hi All,
I'm half way through a timing chain replacement. Started as preventive maintenance but now not sure. Took the think apart without removing the oil pan, figured the guides would be OK. Guessed wrong, drivers side guide was done. I proceeded to remove the oil pan, then found metal (aluminum) chunks. I can't seen to find where they came from. The timing cover is worn but seems usable.

Secondly, I broke the head gasket that meets the timing cover. I think I'm just going to put some RTV on it. Just thought I'd get second opinions. I'd hate to pull the head. Needed to wrap up tomorrow.

Attaching pics of the metal clunks.






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Might be parts of a previous timing cover where the chain retainer broke off below where the crank snout hole is. It's still intact on your current cover.

Might be pieces of piston skirt. you should be able to look up at them with the pan off. Good luck!!

 

Thanks for the input. Pistons 2 and 3 are looking down now, skirts look OK. 1 and 4 are TDC so hard to see. I know the previous owner put an engine from a 94 so maybe he didn't cleanup or something? As of now, I'll put things back together and turn the motor to see how pistons 1 and 4 are doing.

 

Whats the problem with the head gasket you mentioned? The only RTV that is supposed to be used near the head gasket is right where the timing cover meets the block and then on the bottom of the TC cover on oil pan matting surface. If you need more than that you may beed to do a head gasket. Fairly easy at this point of disassembly.

 

Where the hidden bolt is, the head gasket broke. I would hate to pull the head if it's not needed. The head gasket itself is fine otherwise. Just concerned the timing cover will leak oil since the gasket broke. Was planning to put additional rtv around the broken area to avoid oil leak.

 

 

Pistons look good. Reassembling.

 

Bad idea for extra RTV. Don't forget that if you have a chunk break off inside your motor it can float around and plug something. It has happened a lot.

Head gaskets are usually less than $50 at the dealership. You will damn near spend that in other gaskets plus the head gasket if/when it leaks and you decide to fix it properly.

Ultimately its your rig, but if you have a broken piece of your head gasket, no matter where it is, then your going to develop a leak. I have had one leak there due to a damage head gasket.


Edit: Can you post a picture of the damage?

 

Dude thats going to leak oil. Just sayin.

 

I agree with fishguy, that gasket is too damaged. You could try to rtv it back together and if you're lucky it'll hold, but will drip oil from that broken corner forever and you'll hate yourself for not fixing it right the first time. A head gasket isn't any harder to do than a timing chain, just loosen the bolts in the correct order so you don't warp the head.

 

Thanks guys. Against all recommendations, I decided to wrap it up. Got it running yesterday. Holding on for now. More than the money, I needed it running today. So it was a time based decision. I'm hoping the RTV holds up for a few months. Based on your recommendations, I do have this in mind and will probably just do a full rebuild next year sometime in the first half. Even though the motor is running good, it does have 200K miles. I'll start buying parts and plan to set some time aside.

 

Makes sense to me. I band-aid fixed mine and it lasted another 3 years until it died a horrible death and needed fully rebuilt. You probably know it can handle tons of abuse, so just keep a watch out and most likely all's good for now.