How do you Inspect chain rails

[Homeoboxter]

What`s the mileage of the car? The side rails are pretty sturdy, at least in my 5-chain engine I just reused them after 100k miles because they were totally fine. What makes you think they might have to be replaced?

If you pull out the scavanging pumps you can look down on the rails using a mirror or a borescope, at least on my engine, which again, is a 5-chain. And it`s on a stand in my garage so there`s plenty of room, which may be different when the engine is in the car. To see the inner surface of the rails of course you would need to remove the tensioners (locking the camshafts too) so you can pull the chain off the rail using a wire or similar. I`m not 100% sure, but I think this inspection is doable without pulling the valve covers off.

[flmont]

I have about 88K on it, and its just the chain noise at start up. I intend to change the tensioner's ,labor day weekend, along with some 20W50 oil, I think the tensioners bleed off real quick in the constant 108 deg's of the summer

[flmont]

oh plus my cam deviation #'s are 3.5 and 8.2 so i thought maybe the rails are worn down,

[Homeoboxter]

Ah, that makes sense. It`s then a good idea to pull the cover off and see what`s going on. I don`t know the 3-chain engines but probably the smallest chain pad is the weakest point which is in the cam cover anyway.

[flmont]

Iam a 5 chain..but before I pull cover,..Iam going to change the tensioners and go with a little heavier oil,..if that noise goes away I ll feel good,..if not...then off comes the covers..Or I will pull the engine and rework some stuff...I would love to rebuild a 3.2 and throw it in there ! but not sure I want to spend that much yet ! Thanks Frank

[Homeoboxter]

Originally Posted by flmont

Iam a 5 chain..but before I pull cover,..Iam going to change the tensioners and go with a little heavier oil,..if that noise goes away I ll feel good,..if not...then off comes the covers..Or I will pull the engine and rework some stuff...I would love to rebuild a 3.2 and throw it in there ! but not sure I want to spend that much yet ! Thanks Frank

Oh, sorry, I didn`t look at the the year of your car. If it`s a 5-chain, then probably the two small chain pads on the variocam unit are shot. In mine they were totally worn off, one came off from the variocam and the pieces were floating around in the engine. The car was at 100k and jumped timing. If those pads are worn, I don`t think replacing the tensioners will make a difference because those are supporting the long side rails. If you remove the plug over the intake camshaft on the scavanging pump side, you can see the pad (one of the two) and the variocam with a borescope. There`s very little clearance there but it`s visible with a small camera.

[flmont]

Hmm do you mean the green cam cover plug or a different type of plug.Thanks !!