P38 diesel..snapped timing chain.

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RhonddaRanger

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Porth, Rhondda, S.wales
Had a sudden stoppage of my RR a few weeks ago, with a horrific "snap 'n' wrap" sound from the engine area. Just taken the rocker cover off and my worst fears have been confirmed. Timing chain ok on cam cog but wrapped up further down the engine. Does this mean a new engine? Any offers for "spares or repair". Anyone had this problem b4?:doh:
 
If you are lucky it might just be head damage, but if it's still on the cam cog It must be the lower chain that goes to the FIP, there is a separate chain from the FIP to the cam. If the car is an auto and you were not going too fast, as I said you may be lucky.
 
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Hi Datatek, The chain I can see that looks ok is the one right at the front of the engine, driving the camshaft. looking down inside the front of the engine I can see the chain doesnt run in a continuous loop as I wouldve expected, unless there is another chain driving something in front of it. TBH I am not familiar with the internals of the engine, what I heard sounded like a snapped chain so what I am seeing is reinforcing my theory. Hope Im wrong. Also the engine is not intersted in turning over..just locked in place.
 
RhonddaRanger said:
Hi Datatek, The chain I can see that looks ok is the one right at the front of the engine, driving the camshaft. looking down inside the front of the engine I can see the chain doesnt run in a continuous loop as I wouldve expected, unless there is another chain driving something in front of it. TBH I am not familiar with the internals of the engine, what I heard sounded like a snapped chain so what I am seeing is reinforcing my theory. Hope Im wrong. Also the engine is not intersted in turning over..just locked in place.
Click to expand...

As I said there are 2 chains, one from the crank to the fuel injection pump and a second one from the fuel injection pump to the cam. It's a pretty chunky chain, I'd be surprised if it's broken but **** happens. If the engine is locked you may well be right. Can you turn the cam either way with a spanner?
 
Hi!

Was just thinking, do you have any chip installed in your P38? Just bought a P38 that had broken it's timing chain, it hade some diesel chip in it, could this be a reason for the timing chain to break?

Regards
 
generalfarfar said:
Hi!

Was just thinking, do you have any chip installed in your P38? Just bought a P38 that had broken it's timing chain, it hade some diesel chip in it, could this be a reason for the timing chain to break?

Regards
Click to expand...

Chip has nothing to do with chain breaking. Just wear and tear causes that.
 
RhonddaRanger said:
Had a sudden stoppage of my RR a few weeks ago, with a horrific "snap 'n' wrap" sound from the engine area. Just taken the rocker cover off and my worst fears have been confirmed. Timing chain ok on cam cog but wrapped up further down the engine. Does this mean a new engine? Any offers for "spares or repair". Anyone had this problem b4?:doh:
Click to expand...

How many miles on the engine?
 
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