CAMBRIDGESHIRE’S bmw & mini
timing chain experts (uk wide collection)
Bartlett Automotive Huntingdon Ltd and Bartlett Automotive Peterborough Ltd specialise in providing top-quality garage services from qualified mechanics. We are located conveniently in Huntingdon and Peterborough. Get in touch with us for more details.
What is a timing chain?
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A timing chain or timing belt is an important part of a vehicle’s engine as it controls the opening and closing of the valves. If the tension of the chain is wrong, it is prone to fail. When the chain fails it allows the inlet and exhaust valves to collide with the pistons, this will inevitably cause substantial damage to the engine, likely resulting in bent valves; damage to rocker housing, camshafts and rocker arms.
A chain with inadequate tension can develop slack, while a chain with excessive tension can increase friction and heat, stopping the engine running smoothly.
A regular inspection will help find faults in your vehicle’s engine before they become major problems, and our expert mechanics can fix them immediately, offering you a less costly preventative cost before catastrophic damage occurs.
Common signs of a faulty timing chain
Timing chain guide failure occur usually upwards of 70k mileage, though can happen earlier than this. The failure of the timing chain will cause the engine to stop running and may even cause consequential damage to your engine. The early warning signs that your vehicle’s timing chain is not functioning is a quite distinct rattle on start up from a cold engine, this rattle usually lasts around 5 to 10 seconds.
Some of the common signs of a timing chain fault include:
- Engine misfires
- Engine fails
- Engine rattles
- Metal shavings found in the oil
Common signs of a faulty timing chain
Incidences of timing chain guide failure occur usually upwards of 70k mileage. This will cause the engine to stop running and may even cause consequential damage to your engine. The early warning signs that your vehicle’s timing chain is not functioning is a quite distinct rattle on start up from a cold engine. This rattle usually lasts around 5 to 10 seconds.
Some of the common signs of a timing chain fault include:
What can be done to help fix faulty timing chain?
In order to avoid timing chain faults, it is recommended you change the engine oil at regular intervals.
Preventative maintenance is always the cheapest option, so if you are unsure about the health of your engine then give us a call or drop in so we can run an inspection and suggest helpful solutions.
If the chain fails, we are able to offer a full timing chain replacement service, and where necessary we will also rebuild the engine components. We have replaced hundreds of timing chains, and do these on a weekly basis. We’re experts at getting you back on the road in as little as two or three days.