Saab 900 - Timing Chain

[alittlebitfrench]

My timing chain rattles on start up on my beloved 1992 Saab 900. After five or so minutes (or when the engine is hot) the noise is gone.

Should I get it changed ? Will it break ?

Trouble is, I am struggling to find a garage that can offer good advice because it is not a French car.

Any ideas ?

[Théière]

Doubtful it would break but the fact the noise goes after a while indicates the timing chain tensioner is worn. It could even go as far as the oil pump as that supplies the oil to the tensioner.

[Jonzjob]

There could well be some gen on here

If the chain tensioner did stick and the chain jumped a sprocket it co be more than a rattle, so I would look at it sooner rather than later.

[alittlebitfrench]

Thanks all.

My intention is to change it but it means that the engine comes out. It is worth it as the car is in very good condition.

I would only trust a Saab specialist to do it but France being France that is going to be very expensive. That is of course that I can find someone to do it. In the UK it is a £1500 job.

I might have to look for an 'English speaking Mechanic' on a French forum which I think is code for a 'British mechanic living in France' that wants to take the job on at their leisure.

[NickP]

You'd be better of with an English speaking Swedish mechanic who knows all about Saab's. In the UK you could buy a replacement Saab for £1500.

[alittlebitfrench]

Fair point, but the steering wheel will be on the wrong side.

[nomoss]

If you are doing the job yourself it is possible to do it without removing the engine.

See [url]http://www.saabscene.com/forum/threads/128647-Timing-Chain-Replacement-without-Removing-Engine[/url]

[Alan Zoff]

Although chains last longer than belts, they are not indestructible. The chain snapped without warning on my wife's 2.2 Vectra while driving on the M6 and as it has an interference engine, pistons and valves came together, ruining the engine. An otherwise faultless car instantly became worthless. Don't know which engine you have in your Saab or your mileage but we later found out that ours was not an uncommon problem due to an inadequate oil feed to the camshaft that was modified on later versions. The Vectra had been serviced correctly and had done less than 90K miles.