# Timing chain replacement

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-chain-replacement/192797>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [September 11, 2023, 1:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-chain-replacement/192797 "2023-09-11T01:11:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Marquishaze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Marquishaze](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Marquishaze)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2023, 1:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-chain-replacement/192797/1 "2023-09-11T01:11:22Z")

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Hello,

I’m hoping someone here may be able to help. I have a 2017 Chevy Equinox 2.4L and am attempting to replace the timing chain. But when I manually rotate the crankshaft the chain becomes slack and then around the top and bottom of the stroke there’s a loud click and the chain becomes tense again. it appears that the intake camshaft stops rotating and then jumps when the click sound happens. The timing mark on the chain(which is only a single yellow/black/yellow mark changes it’s location when a full cycle happens. I’ve linked a video to what it looks and sounds like. Any help is appreciated!

Thanks,  
Marc  
[https://clipchamp.com/watch/HEHXhK57knG](https://clipchamp.com/watch/HEHXhK57knG)

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2023, 1:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-chain-replacement/192797/2 "2023-09-11T01:56:38Z")

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[![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/b/3/b34fdaf3515d97d7b7b6524f6a545204b9289afa.jpeg "Magic Equinox Timing Chain Fix") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYmU2VzlnAU)

Tester

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**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2023, 10:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-chain-replacement/192797/3 "2023-09-11T22:35:30Z")

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Have you removed all of the spark plugs?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Marquishaze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Marquishaze](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Marquishaze)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2023, 1:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-chain-replacement/192797/4 "2023-09-12T01:10:16Z")

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Hello George,

Yes I had all the spark plugs removed.

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**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2023, 1:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-chain-replacement/192797/5 "2023-09-12T01:37:47Z")

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The chain is going to act this way because of the cams pushing against the valve springs and the lack of oil pressure to tighten the chain as you rotate the engine. The valve cover must come off so you can use a wrench to hold the cams when installing a new chain.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Marquishaze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Marquishaze](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Marquishaze)\
**Post date:** [September 13, 2023, 2:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-chain-replacement/192797/6 "2023-09-13T02:36:07Z")

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Thanks for the info, that makes sense now!!