I have been fortunate that several of the guys I’ve done the timing chain replacement for, listened very carefully and stopped trying to start there engines, thinking it would magically start and be just fine. A bent valve or two still results in a couple of hundred dollars in pulling the head, replacement of all the valves , possibly piston damage, so I always put the fear of expensive engine replacement in their minds!

 

Rattling is the sound of a chain breaking.
I thought she said the wouldn't move once out of park, not stuck in park. Says both, sounds more like a shifter issue than a trans issue.

 

I didn't have any other choice than to drive it home that night. Is it possible the chain is not completely broke. I'm replacing it no matter what obviously but I'm now faced with if it broke and damaged the valves. How would I know if that happened. No I'm not going to throw money to drop an entire engine in it as my friend says would most likely be what I need to do if I did any damage like that. I just don't see how that would happen and not know it. I drove home, parked and then this no start.

I think in any case checking to see if the chain broke completely in the first place would be the start. It has 180,000 miles. If it wasn't practicallg falling apart in the first place I would consider throwing more cash in it. But it was not taken care of well from the previous owner.

Why would the codes not be coming up now?

 

The computers have not been able to run the tests due to the no start,

have your friend pull the valve cover and check it out.

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This was the loose chain in my 2011, 2.4 . This lit the CEL P0014 , I replaced the VVT solenoids at the same time

 

So took off the valve cover....
and...
Spark plug looks to have exploded.
Now being that said.... All the signs of bad timing chain were happening but it is clearly intact. But again the two of us are not skilled in this department. Small repairs, yes. Learning new skills, yes. But knowing what it looks like ... No.
would you guys mind looking at the pics and maybe have some insight on my next step? Could this exploded spark plug be the cause the entire time? Or if it happened does the car quit working right away?

Thank you in advance.













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The spark plug, could you remove that debris and get the rest of the plug out?
the upper chain guide is gone , so that’s a sign the timing chain needs replacing.
I recommend Cloyes kit you already ordered, and 4 fresh AC Delco 41-103 iridium spark plugs, do not try and gap them , they are pregapped and the centre electrode whisker can be easily broken.
I always replace the front timing chain upper guide bolt with


To replace the weak OEM bolt!

 

Spark plugs shattered, I would think there was impact damage... Might be too late for a timing chain kit.

 

How does one tell if there is impact damage ? Or is that only a skilled mechanics job?

 

Wow, all that metal from the upper guide, just gone! It's been ground away from the chain flapping against it.

Here is a picture from oldblue's album, what it should look like.

 

A borescope(camera) to look for piston damage, a cylinder leak down test to check for bent valves.