How to Check and Replace a Timing Chain in a Chevy Camaro

Many cars are equipped with a timing chain rather than a timing belt. While both drive a vehicle's camshaft, timing chains are nearly repair-free with no definitive replacement schedule. If your Chevy Camaro yields a deafening rattle at acceleration chances are it's time to check and replace your timing chain. Here's how that's done in Camaros with a 3.8L engine.

Instructions

Remove Your Timing Chain

1

Locate the timing chain. Replace it if the automatic chain adjuster (also known as the tensioner) is damaged or worn.

2

Drain the cooling system and crankcase.

3

Disengage the negative battery cable, air cleaner and intake air duct, coolant pump bolts, drive belt tensioner and the power steering pump pulley and inlet hose if warranted.

4

Shift the position of the hose clamp on the return line.

5

Line up the sprockets' timing marks, including the timing chain damper, the camshaft sprocket and timing chain and crankshaft sprocket.

Install Your Timing Chain

6

Rotate the crankshaft until the number one piston is at Top Dead Center (TDC) of its compression stroke and the camshaft until the timing mark points straight down when the sprocket is momentarily installed. Implement these steps only if the crankshaft has been rotated in the engine.

7

Reconnect the timing chain to the sprockets with the timing marks lined up; timing chain and sprockets with the bolts secured to 74 foot pounds (100 Nm) and then another 90; and the timing chain damper that is tightened to 16 foot pounds (22 Nm).

8

Turn the engine two rotations and line up the timing marks.

9

Fill the crankcase and cooling system.

10

Start the engine and look for leaks.