2004 Chevrolet Cavalier Logo

Related Topics:

Mark Fitzpatrick Posted on Dec 25, 2017
Answered by a Fixya Expert

Trustworthy Expert Solutions

At Fixya.com, our trusted experts are meticulously vetted and possess extensive experience in their respective fields. Backed by a community of knowledgeable professionals, our platform ensures that the solutions provided are thoroughly researched and validated.

View Our Top Experts

Changing the timing chain on my 2004 cavalier, and everything's back in place, cranking by hand, the chain locks up, what am I doing wrong?

I installed everything correctly, the chain lines up with the sprockets, but when I turn the chain by hand using the crank at the bottom of the engine, the chain moves a few links, then locks up, I can't turn it clockwise any more. I can turn it counter clockwise, just not clockwise. Any suggestions?

  • 4 more comments 
  • Marvin
    Marvin Jan 19, 2012

    You have messed up the valve timing. I hope you haven't damaged the engine.

  • Mark Fitzpatrick
    Mark Fitzpatrick Jan 19, 2012

    How, if everything lines up?

  • Marvin
    Marvin Jan 19, 2012

    I have had customers swear that the job was done correctly, but low and behold it wasn't !! One thing is for sure you did something wrong when you put it back together, do you agree with this?

  • Mark Fitzpatrick
    Mark Fitzpatrick Jan 19, 2012

    Obviously something isn't right, yes. My mechanic buddy set up the chain, I had to add the fixed and adjustable chain guides, and put the cover back on. When I turned the crank, the coloured chain links didn't line up, so I removed the tensioner and the intake sprocket and rotated the chain the 5 links or so until it lined up with the triangle on the exhaust sprocket, then replaced the intake sprocket, which naturally lined up with the diamond and coloured link accordingly. I didn't move anything mechanically in the engine, I merely took the chain off and rotated it a few links.
    I gave up at 4am, gonna have another look in today's daylight. Thanks for your help so far, Dennis, I'm hoping I haven't damaged anything too! I didn't force anything, just turned until it physically stopped - the tension remained as it would be when operating normally.

  • Marvin
    Marvin Jan 19, 2012

    As long as the starter wasn't used to turn the engine you will be fine. Do you have a service manual? If not google it, i think the whole repair procedure will come up with pictures. You can also download the manual from www.alldatadiy.com for a reasonable fee. You can buy a used factory manual set at faxon auto literature on line.

  • Mark Fitzpatrick
    Mark Fitzpatrick Jan 19, 2012

    Thanks Dennis.
    Nope, turned manually with a wrench. I have a Haynes manual, which basically tells me what I did and how to do it, it doesn't troubleshoot. There are only 5 pieces to this, 3 sprockets and 2 chain guides, how did I mess this up?!

×

1 Answer

Kevin Campbell

Level 2:

An expert who has achieved level 2 by getting 100 points

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Sergeant:

An expert that has over 500 points.

  • Chevrolet Expert 227 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 29, 2017
Kevin Campbell
Chevrolet Expert
Level 2:

An expert who has achieved level 2 by getting 100 points

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Sergeant:

An expert that has over 500 points.

Joined: May 01, 2013
Answers
227
Questions
2
Helped
82390
Points
529

It appears that you do not have the timing correct on the camshaft/s and the crankshaft. The intake or exhaust valves are hitting the pistons when you turn the engine over. You need to make sure that the marks are exactly correct. NOW, for the big question,,,,,,, Was the chain broken? Was the engine running when it broke? I have seen this myself and repaired one, This will likely bend 2 exhaust and 2 intake valves. Good luck.

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 321 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 27, 2008

SOURCE: 3.1 tming chain

There are alignment marks on the timing set,and before you remove the old timing set,you must get cylinder number 1 in the firing order to Top Dead Center....then you can remove the old,and reinstall the new,timing set,but pay careful attention to the marks on each gear,in relationship to each other and where they line up.The new timing gear and chain set should have directions on where they are to line up,if not,you need to buy a Chilton manual for your specific car,as i don't have the specific information for your 3.1 engine.It sounds like your timing is WAY off,and when rotating the crank,a piston is hitting a valve...that means it's WAY out of phase...do not start the engine until resolved.The camshaft actuates the valves in relation to the crank and pistons' position,and when the valves open or close is VERY important for the engine to run properly,this is what i'm talking about (phased in) correctly.

Ad

Anonymous

  • 379 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 04, 2009

SOURCE: Crank positioner sensor on a 2005 cavalier 2.2 ecotec

hello , yes it does . otherwise known as the CKP

a picture of its location is this link .

http://www.autozone.com/addVehicleId,2968401/initialAction,repairGuide/shopping/repairGuide.htm?pageId=0900c152800a2490

Anonymous

  • 1066 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 22, 2009

SOURCE: trying to align timing marks

sounds like your crank is 180 out.

co7196

Ned C Cook

  • 3433 Answers
  • Posted on Jun 20, 2009

SOURCE: lost crank sprocket key

chk all the tools you used, sometimes one will have just enough magnetism to steal small parts when you aren't looking. chk your solvent pan or in the pully you laid aside. a parts store would have one..

c17hydro

Greg Bernett

  • 2993 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 30, 2009

SOURCE: Timing Chain Cover, Chain, Sprockets, replacement

2.2L VIN 4 To Remove:

  1. Remove or disconnect the following:
    • Drive belt.
    • Drive belt tensioner.
    • Alternator.
    • Power steering pump. Place the pump aside with the lines attached.
  2. Lift the vehicle.
  3. Remove or disconnect the following:
    • Oil pan.
    • Crankshaft pulley and hub.
    • Timing cover bolts.
    • Timing cover. If necessary, tap with a rubber mallet to loosen the cover.
  4. Clean the mating surfaces.
To Install:
  1. Install or connect the following:
    • Timing cover gasket.
    • Timing cover and the bolts. Tighten the bolts to 11 Nm (97 in. lbs.).
    • Crankshaft pulley hub and the crankshaft pulley.
    • Oil pan.
  2. Lower the vehicle.
  3. Install or connect the following:
    • Power steering pump.
    • Alternator.
    • Drive belt tensioner.
    • Drive belt.

Ad

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

No spark. 2004 cavalier. New head gasket new timing chain

Spark is generally generated by an impulse from the crank position sensor. Check that it is connected correctly and that the pick-up plate that it reads wasn't damaged or turned the wrong way around during the cam chain replacement.

In some cases, if the cam timing is out, the comparison between cam and crank sensors can cause no spark so double check that too just to be safe.
0helpful
1answer

Replaced timing chain now won't start. seems like theres no compression

did you use the locking kit to lock the engine in place so the timing marking were in the right place. if you don't use the timing kit you can some times just be a mil off and have no compression so no start. you can make a tool to lock the engine in place. now if you did not use one its going to be a bit harder to get the timing right again. you need to get the timing chain off and line the cogs back up to the timing markings on the engine and you any tool that will keep them in place while trying to put the chain back on. then turn the engine over by hand and make sure they line up on 2 full turns and marking/s out you will need to restart it again with the chain off until it lines back up in place, when you think its right then put the engine back together make sure the plugs are out while doing this job as any compression will keep knocking out the timing while you are trying to set it up.
0helpful
1answer

As im putting the timing chain back on my 2004 Ecotec2.2L chevy cavalier my sprockets arnt lining up to the ten and two position close but not on also my timing chain came with two coppers and one silver...

My first attempt was similar to this and ended up being 180 degrees out of time, even tho the marks looked right.

My suggestion would be to turn the engine over bu hand with the spark plugs out first and this should allow you to see if the valves will make contact with the piston without being under pressure. You should feel the tension doing it by hand.

Mine I tried to start it and it backfired quite loud then nothing, no compression at all once all intake valves were bent.

Hope this helps
0helpful
2answers

Timing alignment for 2200

put it on tdc
and go from there
tdc top dead center
0helpful
1answer

Rough idle timing chain? 2004 chevy cavalier

Sounds like a 2.4 Quad four engine? If so the chain has either different colored links marked links that have to be aligned with the marks on the cam gear[s] and the crank gear.A chiltons book will show you how.
1helpful
3answers

I need to place timing chain on 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier. I need to know estimate of cost?

All shops charge differently. Call around. Plan on spending about 500 give or take.
0helpful
1answer

Trying to align timing marks

sounds like your crank is 180 out.
0helpful
1answer

How to align timing sprocks on a 1997 z24 chevrole cavalier

You will need 2 5/16 drill bits. There is a 5/16 hole in each cam gear. With the crankshaft 1/8 turn off TDC, turn the cam gears so the hole is down. Insert the drill bit into the hole and move the gear slow until the bits slides into a hole in the rear timing cover. Do this to both cam pulleys. When you have both bits installed, this will lock the cams. Don't turn the cams with the crank at TDC, It will bend valves. Once you have the cams locked, turn the crank 1/8 of a turn back to TDC. Don't go the other way. The TDC mark on the crank should be a dot on the gear and a arrow on the rear timing cover. Then after everything is lined up, Install the chain,guides and tensioner. After everything is installed, Turn the crank two revolutions, and line the crank back up to TDC. If the timing is right, you should be able to insert the drill bits in each cam gear. Hope this helps.
Not finding what you are looking for?

250 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Chevrolet Experts

ZJ Limited
ZJ Limited

Level 3 Expert

17989 Answers

john h

Level 3 Expert

29494 Answers

Thomas Perkins
Thomas Perkins

Level 3 Expert

15088 Answers

Are you a Chevrolet Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...