Ok, new to the forum and dont know where else to turn. Heres my problem:

Ive had the 3 second rattle for a while now on cold startups, so I changed the rear tentioner(was in pieces) and yook off the throttlebody and cleaned and replaced the gasket. I also changed the upper transmission mount as car was shaking a bit. And I had already changed the other 3. So after these repairs I start it and it seems fine till idle came down, then it chugged and engine light came on. Hooked up the scantool and p0016. I assumed timing jumped when tentioner was changed. I ordered the Cloyes timing/water pump complete kit. I tore it down and the black timing chain guide was in pieces. I put it to tdc compression stroke and timed everything and got it installed. I started it up and same thing. I figured I was off a tooth, so tore it down and pulled it all off and resterted. Got it all together and started it and exact same thing. I was going to do a relearn but was scared if timing is off Id do more damage. It rungs great above 1200rpm but chugs and surges at idle. I ordered a cam and crank position sensor and am waiting for them. My scantool shows engine rpm's so I figured the crank sensor is good, so must be cam position sensor. So I swapped with my dads 06 2.4 cam position sensor and the same thing. Im waiting on the cranknsensor to swap, but does that seem likely the sensor went as I changed timing tensioner? I have since been on the throttle and its fine, but trying to do crank relearn the scantool says malfunction or minimums not met. I have crank rpms, crank resync counts(3),crank active counter, intake cam position rpms, but nothing for exhaust cam position rpms. Is there and exhaust cam position sensor on the 2.2 non vvc? Where else do I go? I had the fuse panel out for mount? TB relearn? Im at a loss and haveva feeling the crank sensor isnt going to fix it either. Please help!!!

Here are pictures of timing marks: Top pic is befor tensioner armed. Then all the timing marks aligned.

 

Double check your crankshaft marks, in that last photo it appears the crankshaft is not at TDC .

 

What year, what engine?
2006-2008 2.2L only has 1 cam position sensor.
Who applied the yellow marks? The key should be at 12:00
The second pic is a loose chain, and a missing top guide.
The third pic shows a loose balance chain.
The sensors rarely go bad.

My guess is that the timing chain stretched as far as the tensioner could go and the tensioner exploded.

 

It is a 2007 2.2l

I put the yellow on as I torqued each bolt as to not miss anything. This is the new timing set. The last picture is at an agle to show exhaust balance shaft aligned also. And pic was before I put the top guide on. The key should be at 12:00 to the bottom of the motor,correct?

 

The key is off from 12 o’clock, more like 12:30 to 1 o’clock


Double check it , don’t forget the engine leans back a little. Use a screw driver thru the #1 spark plug hole!

 

12:00


is straight up, like on an old fashioned analog clock. That puts the timing chain mark at about 5:00.
If the second pic is with the new timing set it is way too loose.

 

The tensioner hasn’t been activated in that photo.

 

By “exact same thing,” do you mean the same rattle, same P0016 code, or just running bad? If there’s any chance you got the timing right, do a compression test. You may have some bent valves.

 

The rattle is gone with the new tentioner. It still runs rough at idle but above 1500rpm its smooth. On my scantool the short term fuel and timing are going crazy trying to idle. I think I may have found my issue if anyone can confirm? Online and videos they all state put engine at TDC. I was taught TDC is on compression because thats when advancing and retarting timing have an effect. So am I 180 out on my cams? If so my timing marks are off but switching sprockets would correct this. Yes?? Thanks for all the help.

 

Here read thru this article, pictures and words. It it’s TDC, compression stroke!
then set your camshafts, it has to be absolute TDC .