Author Topic: seafoam -> rattle snake chain (Read 3914 times)

Berlin · « **on:** August 25, 2006, 08:42:58 PM »

after seafoaming (half a can in the crankcase), my chain is making a mad racket. This worries me for one reason, i have to make a one way 600km trip in 6 days!!!! after reading all of sheepdogs and others' posts, needless to say im shit scared. i dont wanna get stranded on the freeway like Febi did! and im driving overnight too, damn. So my question is, wth do i do? new tensioner and wing it, or just wing it? help please

bmwman91 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 26, 2006, 12:44:36 AM »

Is it still the original tensioner in there?

Euro Nation · « **Reply #2 on:** August 26, 2006, 01:04:54 AM »

I'd start with an oil change and maybe a new tensioner piston.

Berlin · « **Reply #3 on:** August 26, 2006, 04:32:26 AM »

my understanding is that it is the original tensioner, though i have no documents to show this.
The oil change was less than 50km ago when i seafoamed (changed right after).

i also took off the vc to see if that scary stuff you and sheepdog had was happening but my chain wasnt missing anything (atleast the visible part) and the cam gear teeth didnt seem too sharp (though i have nothin to compare to)... i could bend the chain by hand about 1/2" up and down between the cam gears... dont know if thats too loose or not? I'll post pictures in a minute

Berlin · « **Reply #4 on:** August 26, 2006, 04:46:49 AM »

http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c135/moshimasu/Chain/

K so im thinkin since everything looks fine, something about the seafoam killed my old tensioner, so im just going to put a new one in there and hope for the best

sheepdog · « **Reply #5 on:** August 26, 2006, 01:26:32 PM »

1/2in seems like a lot of play. I would change the tensioner, especially if you have no idea when it was last done. Rumour mill says every 40k.

The Seafoam basically stripped the chain of lubricant in the rollers, you may be able to dump oil down over it and get it to a decent state again.

As for your sprockets, yours look dull compared to mine. Mine were razor sharp in fact one was so thin and sharp at the tip that you know how when you sharpen a knife how you get that roll-over at the edge, at least one of my teeth had that.

Yeah, a little worn.

Berlin · « **Reply #6 on:** August 26, 2006, 09:08:47 PM »

ya the teeth didnt cut into my fingers or anything...
when i was there i loosened the tensioner bolt 3-4 turns then retorqued it... now the rattle is intermittent... ill dump more oil on there and hopefully thatll choke it up for the long trip cause i cant get a tensioner in time anyway

Eurospec · « **Reply #7 on:** September 19, 2006, 08:24:58 PM »

Any updates? I take it the problem was resolved?

rfritz · « **Reply #8 on:** September 23, 2006, 02:08:24 PM »

I had the same problem. I put seafoam through the vacuum line and that was okay. It did the smoke thing and that went away. I also added 1/2 a bottle to the crankcase (oil). I ran the car for 150+/- miles and the chain was crazy loud. I then drained all of the oil. I let it drain for 2-3 hours while I did things around the house. I put new oil in the car (Castrol 10w40) and a new tensioner. It runs great now, no noise, nothing. Before it sounded like it was going to come apart. Now I have to figure out my intermittent idle problem. I thought I would have it fixed by replacing a cracked hose that goes to the ICV, but i think I might need a new ICV. My check engine light is on, except when I let off the throttle. Then it goes away. I think it may be the 02 sensor. This car is a mystery wrapped in a riddle.