Hey guys and gals,

I've recently been told that I have a crack in the timing cover of my 4cyl auto which is located right near the alternator. I'm looking for some advice on the following points:

-How much will a replacement part cost (new/used)?
-How much will it cost to replace (because I'm not mechanically minded)?
-Is it worth me trying to fix or should I start looking for a new car?

Thanks in anticipation,

Jason

what caused the crack in the first place

cant be too much for a timing cover from a wrecker

it can be replaced without removing the motor

price a little less than replacing the timing chains

there is a timing cover gasket kit from repco

why not have the timing chains done at the same time

Thanks for all that Buff.

No idea what caused the crack, possibly just corrosion over time due to minerals in the water reacting with aluminium casing? It's good news that it can be replaced without removing the motor but if I'm going to change the timing chains doesn't that require taking out the engine? I was under the impression that changing timing chains cost a fair bit and with the added cost of timing cover I'm not really sure what to do?

Timing cases don't crack, more like its corrosion from poor coolant or from the timing chain flapping about and wearing through the case because it is worn. My local work shop has welded timing cases for me with great success, but you need to work out why - coolant or chains - and fix that problem as well. If the crack is leaking coolant, it is probably corrosion, if it leaks engine oil its the chain. Simple.

Chains can be replaced with the engine in the car and the head left on, but you need to know what you are doing. NOT recommended as DIY if you have never done chains and guides before!
You may need to do the rounds of your local mechanics to see if any of them are able to do the job.

EDIT: people who don't intend to keep the car much longer often cover the crack with araldite or fiberglass. A cheap and quick option.

Thanks MadMax,

Once again this forum has proven to be very informative/helpful. It appears to be leaking coolant which you suggest could be caused by corrosion. If this is the case, what is the best method for repairing the timing case? Welding or replacing? What would be the prices to fix each of these issues?

Thanks again,

Jason

Check that the coolant isn't also leaking internally into the oil. If it is, skip the araldite step. Needs to come off.

Clean the cracked area really well, whack on some araldite and cover with a piece of tinplate. A soft drink can will do. Paint over it with silver. Looks ok. lol This will get your car back on the road. The old Sigma motors used to do this a lot to those people who didn't believe in using coolant. lol

BUT if you want to do it properly, remove and get welded, unless you can find a cheap replacement.

I've been in to the local Mitsu agent and he says he can get the timing cover alone for $125 and Bursons say an aftermarket one will cost $150. Should I go with this or try and get a used one? I could just as easily pay $40-60 less but with a new one I'll have piece of mind that it won't corrode in 6 months time.

Timing cases don't crack

ohh they do!
covers can be had for around $50 from wreckers just make sure you find one thats had good coolent in the system youll know instantly by looking, 1st and 2nd gens are the same so easy to come by theres very slight differences but nothing to worry about, its not too much of a big job for a mechanic but as said while its off its like another 30-45mins MAX to install a new chain/guides etc all the hard works done at that point.. so if yours is due... 2birds...
timing kits can be had cheap too

I think I've decided to go down the route of getting a new genuine timing cover as this will remove any doubt of whether it can hold water.

I'm really hoping that nothing serious is going to occur with this car in the next year or two because getting timing cover and timing chains done will cost about $1000. I love this car to bits, but I don't know how much longer I can keep putting money into it. I've chosen to go through with it because the gearbox, CV's and fuel pump have each been conditioned or replaced in the past 18 months and I want to get my moneys worth out of them.

I really hope this doesn't come back to bite me on the arse, lol.

So you are getting the chains done too? i would recomend it, being down there with the cover off your halfway there, sort of haha.
seriously i would recomend the chains.. and removing the balance chain too!

if things go south... can i have your front bar???? teehee lol

So you are getting the chains done too? i would recomend it, being down there with the cover off your halfway there, sort of haha.
seriously i would recomend the chains.. and removing the balance chain too!

if things go south... can i have your front bar???? teehee lol

Vultures, that's all you blokes are, haha.

Yeah I'm getting the chains done as well, it's the one thing I've wanted to do with my car since I've had it and now that I've got an excuse to take it all out it definitely gonna happen.

. . . . getting timing cover and timing chains done will cost about $1000.

Whoot? Timing case weld $50, chain and guide kit $150. $200 all up as a DIY job. Get your hands dirty and save a bundle!

I love your enthusiasm MadMax but my mechanical skills are no where near what would be required and I also don't have the tools or the time to complete such a job.

Mechanic called me up on Monday and told me the found a welsh plug at the back of the block which needed replacing, it was in a position the didn't require the manifold to come off so he fixed that for me. Unfortunately he also found the timing chain had been rattling around so violently that it destroyed the oil sprayer for the crank shaft. This part is on it's way from Sydney and it should be ready to drive by the end of today.

That's the other things about doing these sort of jobs myself, I don't have the knowledge to pick up other problems with the engine unless they're blatantly obvious, lol.

If one welsh plug needs replacing, then they all do. Ask him why it needed replacing. If its corroded all the others will be too.

The oil sprayer for the cam chain is a position where there is no way the timing chain can damage it, no way at all. They can clog up however. I'm starting to wonder about this mechanic . . . . .

/LECTURE WARNING

QUOTE: " . . . my mechanical skills are no where near what would be required and I also don't have the tools or the time to complete such a job."

Mechanical skills develop as you do a job like this. "Skills" do not come first, all by themselves, before you tackle a job like this. It's a well kept secret of all mechanics, they don't have the skill initially, only experience that comes from doing it the first time. They do however, have the attitude to get their hands dirty, read the manual, acquire the tools and tackle a job and learn from it.

/END LECTURE

If one welsh plug needs replacing, then they all do. Ask him why it needed replacing. If its corroded all the others will be too.

The oil sprayer for the cam chain is a position where there is no way the timing chain can damage it, no way at all. They can clog up however. I'm starting to wonder about this mechanic . . . . .

/LECTURE WARNING

QUOTE: " . . . my mechanical skills are no where near what would be required and I also don't have the tools or the time to complete such a job."

Mechanical skills develop as you do a job like this. "Skills" do not come first, all by themselves, before you tackle a job like this. It's a well kept secret of all mechanics, they don't have the skill initially, only experience that comes from doing it the first time. They do however, have the attitude to get their hands dirty, read the manual, acquire the tools and tackle a job and learn from it.

/END LECTURE

I'm assuming that he only replaced the one welsh plug because the rest required more work to do because it involved removing the manifold. I have no idea about why it needed replacing but I will ask, thanks.

I'm not sure if we're talking about the same thing but he said the 'oil sprayer for the crank shaft' whereas you said 'oil sprayer for the cam chain'. These may be one and the same but with my limited knowledge I wouldn't know, regardless it needed to be replaced.

Thanks for the lecture warning and the subsequent lecture and I understand your point of view but if it involves the engine I'm more than happy to pass it on to someone else how already has the skills and knowledge. If it was tyres, suspension, paint or minor electrics then I might have a go at it, but if it involves the engine I'll keep well away from taking it apart.

Thanks again for the info and asssitance.

Howdy everyone,

I've had the car back for about a week now and it is unbelievably quiet compared to before it went in. The entire job cost about $1200 which is more than originally expected but more work has been done due to issues arising. Extra costs include changing a welsh plug and an oil sprayer

Only one plug was changed because of the three he could see there was only one that needed changing. Any others that may have needed changing require the inlet manifold to be taken off which would incur further costs.

The oil sprayer which had been destroyed by the rattling timing chain was actually used to lubricate the chain (you were right MadMax, I must've misheard the mechanic). Because the oil sprayer was not doing it's job the timing chain would've worn itself even quicker. To change the oil sprayer the original had to be drilled out and a new thread had to be drilled to install the new sprayer. The labour for this job is the main reason for the extra costs.

Car's working great now, can't fault it at all.

Thanks again for all your help.

The oil sprayer sits in the face of the crank case and has a hole in it that points at the front of the crankshaft where the cogs are for the two chains. The hole is tiny so it would clog up easily if the oil changes are neglected. Last time I played with one of these it was a push in fitting easily removed with pliers, but that was a long time ago on a 2L Sigma engine. The design has probably changed since then. Anyhow, keep up the oil and filter changes!