My 2014 Buick Verano had been throwing air intake codes so I replaced the MAF sensor which got rid of the engine lights. Months later the car died (no rattling, no weird noises, just instant shutdown while driving slow). It started right back up and the mechanic replaced spark plugs, air filters, and a couple sensors. He told me the timing chain is about to go and it’ll cost me $7-10k to fix today or the car will inevitable self destruct. The car never gave me codes related to timing or engine performance.
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Is it possible to give this diagnosis?
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Is that an insane quote?
Thanks
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Get a second opinion. But it’s entirely possible that a chain is in your future. That’s an interference engine, I don’t know about catastrophic failure but it’s entirely possible that aluminum engine could damage everything if you smash a valve into the piston. 8k sounds like a lot for a 4 cylinder motor tho. 8k would cover another motor.
- That’s nuts. Get a second opinion.
I charged $1200 to do a timing chain and tensioners on a 2013. it had a CEL for timing issues.
My buddy charged me $1600 on a Impala ss for a oil pump and timing it should be no more than mid 2s at the shop I’m pretty sure
Get a second opinion.
Look up if your motor is an interference or non interference motor.
Short article about it.
https://knowhow.napaonline.com/what-is-an-interference-engine/
Basically non interference have the lowest likely hood of damage while an interference motor you will smash up ain’t of parts and cost more to rebuild.
Now the person could just be saying hey it is 100k time to fix it or maybe they looked at it. If it was easy to look at probably not hard to get into to replace if hard to look at and hard to replace i doubt they checked it without billing you for it.
I have not used these guys but looks like two engines for your vehicle. One of them you can get a rebuilt motor with 5 year warranty for bit over 3k so depending on install cost probably could get a rebuilt motor with warranty for 8k
Why would you only put a new chain in and have the same old pistons, rings and bearings that you got 100k+ miles on for 8k while you could do a whole warranty motor.
Long story short get a second opinion and better quote probably can get the whole timing chain set with all new tensioners closer to 1000-1500 near me maybe less. I would only go oem parts since this is a critical part vs say off brand windshield wiper fluid does not really matter.
Non interference motors are mostly a thing of the past. To get higher compression and better engine efficiency, modern engines are pretty much always interference engines.
Still can find them in some of the more base model non turbo motors. Then in your heavier higher displacement non turbo gas engines will be as well. But it is getting less of them for sure
Timing chains are not 8000$.
$7-10k should get you a new engine, not just a timing chain replacement.
Regular 2.4? Timing chain should run around 500 for the ecotec. Variable cam Timing solenoids are also common failure point in these engines and are easily replaced. If chains are loose and jump it will bend valves/break rocker arms which requires cyl head removal to replace valves etc. most shops at that point want to replace engine at that point although it’s a needless exercise to replace when the head can be easily repaired.
F that mechanic get a new one
Scam. Just buy a new car for 8000.
Timing chain shouldn’t run more than 2 grand. 10k would get you a comparable car. I’m going to start preaching this. Stop buying American. Their reliability has gotten worse in the last ten years after going up a bit the decade before. I just got my girlfriend a CRV our hypothetical children will drive that car to college.
If you hypothetically change the oil every 5k miles AND don’t wait till the 15% reminder, sure, maybe. Please tell me you don’t wait till 15% ?
For 7k let it blow lol cause that’s how much a new engine will cost. Or just a decent used car.
How many miles on the car?
Also, how did the mechanic know the chain is about to go? Did he actually open up the engine and check the chain? Sound?
Something is fishy.
he’s probably right about thr chain going to explode. it’s more of a 2k job
Car shut down while moving, and the mechanic replaced plugs, filters and sensors? Any explanation for the shutdown?