timing Chain 2.2 Ecotech
 

Just replaced the timing chain. All marks are correct but as I rotate the engine I keep getting slack between the Cams. not sure what is going on. don't want to put motor back with the chance that the Timing Chain assy. will fail again. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

Welcome to the site. :thumb:

Did you replace everything such as the tensioners and guides ? I would check the tensioner and guide to make sure they are pivoting freely and keeping the chain snug.

Sound like you may be turning the crank shaft counter clockwise. That will cause the chain to jump teeth.

Or, as FMG already stated the tensioner.

It is possible you have the wrong chain.

Oh yeah Don. I didn't think about the OP possibly turning the engine backwards.
That's a big "No No" when dealing with Ecotecs.

Replaced everything. Turning the Engine Clockwise. And the tensioner is moving in and out while turning the Crank. Also I laid the new Chain next to the old Chain and they appeared to be the same length.

Did you pop the tensioner?

Yes sir.

The newer style tensioner has more spring force, but there is also some pressure applied by the oil, which also damps the movement of the tensioner once it's filled, so it doesn't really get to its normal operating condition until the oil pressure has come up. I haven't seen anything about priming these tensioners like you need to do on some other makes, but the staircase mechanism that the plunger rides up once you've popped it limits how much deflection you can have, so presumably it'll tolerate that until you get pressure.
There is some positive torque on the camshafts at some parts of their rotation as the valve springs push the shaft round, so if there's any play in the chain you can see some slack between the two sprockets as the exhaust cam pushes forward, I did on mine, but I think that may be because the chain is getting a little stretched.

Thank you very much for that info. I have got the same answer from a couple of people that I talked to. I know it's hooked up right but I had never seen that kind of play before and I am not totally familiar with this Engine. It is doing just as you say, the Exhaust cam will move forward just a small amount as I rotate it. This should go away when the motor is turning at speed instead of with a Rachet.
Thanks Again.

Have you started the engine yet? I had assumed you had, that's why I didn't bring the oil pressure up earlier.

The way the guides are set up, it is kind of hard to skip a tooth going clockwise (with new parts), but certain if counter-clockwise.