My timing chain was slapping when the car started then went away after about 30-60 seconds. Then it started doing it all the time. So I replaced the tensioner and the slapping went away for about 10 starts, then came back. I pulled the tensioner again and it seems to be working fine. I pulled the timing chain guides and they have little wear on them, not really enough to hang a fingernail on. Do the timing chains in these thing stretch that often? I might have driven 30 miles before I noticed the constant slapping with a couple hard pulls in there. The engine is open right now, and I don’t want to pull the front of the motor apart if I don’t have to, but I also don’t want to button it all up again until I can figure out what’s wrong. Thanks for the help.

 

Going to move you to the Stock Problems/Issues area.

You do have a Gen1 model correct? R50/52/53?

 

Yes, the timing chains wear and get longer. How many miles on your timing chain?

 

Yes, you might need to do the whole chain repair. The tensior needs to pop open when new. Sounds like it did if its extended.

Timing chain kit and guide with diy.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ide-rails.html

 

Yes R53

 

109k

 

It appears that changing the guides have so far fixed it. More time will tell...

 

So it was slapping around on the guides because they were worn down a lot. Do you have pics of the old guides?

 

Here they are, attached. You can't hang a nail on the wear pattern.

 

Yes, thanks for posting. That has some grove alright.