R Series timing chain

[elj737]

Hello everyone,

I have just replaced the head gasket on my 1.6 r-series this weekend, but have a problem with the timing chain. All of the timing marks are lined up, the chain is on, but when you turn the bottom end of the engine, the top end doesnt turn. I thought maybe the chain had come off the sprocket at the crank, but if you take the chain off the cam sprocket and then turn the crank whilst holding the chain, the chain will turn. I can turn the cam without any problems when the chain is disconnected, so it isnt stuck or anything like that. Does anyone have any ideas? I thought that maybe the tensioner wasnt working properly, but cant see any faults with it. Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks in advance,

Martin.

[G Force]

Hi, The chain has most likely come off of the bottom gear and is only turning when you are holding it as the chain is wedged against the front face of the gear. You may have to remove the front crank pulley and seal to refit the chain onto the crank gear. Remember to lock the chain tensioner before loosening the chain as it could fall into the engine.

Cheers Gary :)

[elj737]

Hi, thanks for reply. When you say "lock the chain tensioner", do you mean withdraw it, or leave it in place ?

thanks

martin.

[G Force]

Hi, you can leave it in place if you lock it by taking out the small bolt and insert an allen key and turn (cant just remember the direction or size of allen key but it is fairly obvious when you feel it lock) you are meant to lock it when you remove it anyway as it can come apart and fall inside engine.

Cheers Gary :)

[elj737]

Hi. I have managed to get the chain back on, but despite locking the tensioner (so I thought) it still managed to drop in to the sump. I have got it all back together now, but when sliding the gear for the distributor onto the crank, I cant remember which way round the gear was. Can anyone tell me what direction the rotor arm should travel, i.e clockwise or anti clockwise, when viewed from the front of the car, leaning over the engine looking down on to the top of the distributor. Hopefully this may be the last of my stupid questions for a while.

thanks

martin.

[G Force]

Hi, cant remember, but if the leads are in the cap you can easy work out the d.o.r. from the firing order 1342, as the leads are all different geting progressively longer 1 to 4