We love our engines
It was pouring rain last Tuesday when Sarah rolled into my shop with her 2016 Honda Accord. Water dripping from her soaked jacket, she described that awful timing chain tensioner noise – you know the one: a rapid-fire tick-tick-tick-tick that sounds like marbles in a blender. “It started after I hit a pothole on I-95,” … Read more
It was a cold December morning back in 2018, snow piling up outside the shop bay doors. This guy pulls in with his 2012 F-150 EcoBoost, complaining about a god-awful rattle on startup that sounded like marbles in a coffee can. Truck had 115,000 miles, and he’d been religious with oil changes—at the quick lube … Read more
Quick Answer: Timing chain problems typically manifest as metallic rattling noises during cold starts, rough idling, or illuminated check engine lights with codes like P0016/P0017. Replacement requires 10-14 hours for DIYers and costs $1,200-$2,500 professionally. Critical failure points include tensioner wear and guide rail fractures. Opening: The 3 A.M. Breakdown That Changed Everything Rain lashed against the shop windows at 2:47 A.M. when Sarah brought in her 2016 … Read more