My girl has what seems to be that typical rattle for a few seconds on startup.

What is this caused by? I am guessing something to do with one of the chains?

Seeing as almost every TM,N,P,R and S 4 cylinder magna I have ever seen does it, how easy is it to fix?

try the balance chain adjustment
undo the cover on the timing case 2x10mm bolts
in beside the alternator approx

what is the history of your car ?

The history?

Ummm it was owned by Mitsubishi initially and has service stamps up until the 100,000k mark.....it now has 127,000 on the clock and I bought it a month ago.

Sorry can't be any more specific than this.

also interested if there's a cure
my TR has the same thing pretty loudly at the moment

How often do you need to change the timing chains on these?

Not too sure if it ihas ever been done, and is it a big job?

do the chains and guides at 100,000
there is a how to do --- try a search

you can do the chains inside the car- hard way

or lift/ tilt the motor out at an angle and reach the chains that way

drop the motor down on the ground

Sorry to keep bombarding you with questions....

How much would I expect to pay to get this done, whilst I am mechanically minded, the thought of doing this by my self is a bit too daunting for me.

the chain kit should be less than $ 200

shop around for a written quote on this job

a guess only - labour might be as high as $ 600

poop, only paid $900 for the car, not too sure if the car is worth it.........

Pity I am not in SA any more.

As for doing the chains every 100k, rubbish,

You do them if they cause issues and for no other reason at all.

Also is it chains and not lash adjusters.

The TM, TN and early TP will not rattle at start only from a balance chain, this is the timing chain tensionor bleeding back oil during the time the car is stationary, the oil pressure builds up and all is good again. A rattle constantly at idle is Balance chain.

Late TP onwards can do this from a balance chain as they have an oil tensioner and same can happen.

Can also be lash adjusters, some do mistake this sound even though it is very different to people who know the sound well.

I can not be frigged with dropping a motor under a car, I have an engine crane I brought for a few hundred bucks and have pulled near 50 motors out with it and it saves so much time and buggering around.

Pity I am not in SA any more.

As for doing the chains every 100k, rubbish,

You do them if they cause issues and for no other reason at all.

Also is it chains and not lash adjusters.

The TM, TN and early TP will not rattle at start only from a balance chain, this is the timing chain tensionor bleeding back oil during the time the car is stationary, the oil pressure builds up and all is good again. A rattle constantly at idle is Balance chain.

Late TP onwards can do this from a balance chain as they have an oil tensioner and same can happen.

Can also be lash adjusters, some do mistake this sound even though it is very different to people who know the sound well.

I can not be frigged with dropping a motor under a car, I have an engine crane I brought for a few hundred bucks and have pulled near 50 motors out with it and it saves so much time and buggering around.


is that something a correctly functioning 'antidrain' valve on the oil filter would prevent?