If the timing chain was going what kind of noise if any would it make. What to look for.

Thanks

 

A rhythmic rattle, or clatter from the passenger side of the engine is usually a sign of a stretched chain, failed tensioner, or broken guides.

 

The tensioner could get stuck causing the chain to rattle around. Here is a video with someone who had a bad timing chain tensioner.

 

Nkfry does this noise come and go even when in neutral.

 

If your timing cassette is failed, chain stretched, tensioner weak you will have a near constant clatter.

If you are hearing a low thuddy type rattle it could be your clutch assembly, if you press the clutch in and the noise goes away that is your culprit. Some cars will rattle when the cold weather comes, mine does even with a single mass flywheel conversion.

 

Push your clutch in....and see if the noise goes away...the throw out bearing can make some noise...

 

cam chain noise will always be present (in gear or neut / clutch in or out / with revs and idle)


depending on the amount of damage within the cam chain assembly, things **could** run real rough, skip and barley keep going.


although, so will the PTO gears of the supercharger. but they should sound different. Cam chain will clack more. Were as PTO gears will have more of a grindy noise like straight cut gears

 

As an FYI Mini Timing Chains are basically lifetime, many have gone 200k+, chain tensioners in the other hand are known for failure 50k and over.
All of the other possible issues are listed above for strange noises, throw out bearing, SC Water Pump gears, Idler pulley, belt tensioner, and chain tensioner are the most common, they all sound different.
Chain Tensioner will sound like someone poured a bunch of gravel in your valve cover.
Try using an automotive stethoscope to isolate what your hearing.