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Old 02-16-2011, 07:51 PM
xDARKGUITARISTx xDARKGUITARISTx is offline
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Post Bad timing chain cassette/tensioner cause bad gas mileage?

I just got my truck in to the dealer because I have been noticing some issues. Mainly with my gas mileage and a pretty loud clanking noise. I just brought it into the dealer because I couldn't figure out where the noise was coming from. They checked it out and said it could be the timing chain tensioner. I am having them tear it apart tomorrow to fix the issue, but heres my question. When that gets replaced will I see an increase in my fuel economy? Right now I'm getting 9-10 MPG and thats with me babying the hell out of it. I threw in a K&N Filter and that bumped it up a couple miles to about 12. Even still the truck should be doing better. Also is there a difference between the timing chain tensioner and cassette? I always thought they were the same thing but from what I'm reading I'm wrong. Can you guys explain any of this to me?
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Old 02-18-2011, 04:03 PM
FX4OR FX4OR is offline
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Default Re: Bad timing chain cassette/tensioner cause bad gas mileage?

If it is the timing chain components that messed up, you're soo lucky it didn't take the engine out completely. It would make sense that mpg would go way up after it gets re-timed back to factory specs. It will likely have more power too.

If I'm not mistaken, the tensioner makes up half of the cassette, with the plastic chain guide the other half.

keep us posted as to what happens.
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Old 02-19-2011, 08:27 AM
xDARKGUITARISTx xDARKGUITARISTx is offline
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Default Re: Bad timing chain cassette/tensioner cause bad gas mileage?

Well as it turns out the timing chain tensioner was completely shredded. The plastic on the outside was completely worn through causing the chain to slap against the metal throwing my timing off and making quite the noise under the hood. The squealing I thought was the camshaft synchronizer was actually the sides of the chain slipping against the plastic that it was worn through. So no more noise and my gas mileage is back where its supposed to be I think. Still remains to be seen I will let you guys know.
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Old 02-19-2011, 01:05 PM
Alon Alon is offline
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Default Re: Bad timing chain cassette/tensioner cause bad gas mileage?

Quote:
Originally Posted by xDARKGUITARISTx View Post
Well as it turns out the timing chain tensioner was completely shredded. The plastic on the outside was completely worn through causing the chain to slap against the metal throwing my timing off and making quite the noise under the hood. The squealing I thought was the camshaft synchronizer was actually the sides of the chain slipping against the plastic that it was worn through. So no more noise and my gas mileage is back where its supposed to be I think. Still remains to be seen I will let you guys know.
How much did that end up costing you? Was it rattling like crazy around 2500 rpm?
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Old 02-19-2011, 01:46 PM
FX4OR FX4OR is offline
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Default Re: Bad timing chain cassette/tensioner cause bad gas mileage?

well, that's good you got that sorted out, man.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alon View Post
How much did that end up costing you? Was it rattling like crazy around 2500 rpm?
yeah, if you don't mind, I'm interested in how much it cost, too. I'm going to be tackling this eventually, as mine does the 2500 rattle.
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Old 02-23-2011, 11:22 AM
xDARKGUITARISTx xDARKGUITARISTx is offline
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Default Re: Bad timing chain cassette/tensioner cause bad gas mileage?

It cost me about $585 to replace the tensioner alone. Only thing is is that mine was rattling all the time and I'm pretty sure that eventually the timing being off as much as it was would eventually have broken piston rings and stuff so it was worth it. Calculated my gas mileage yesterday and it upped to about 13 mpg. But that was with me burning through a quarter tank getting it to the shop, and two days of driving around in 4wd cuz of our huge snow storm for the last couple days.
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Old 02-23-2011, 08:49 PM
FX4OR FX4OR is offline
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Default Re: Bad timing chain cassette/tensioner cause bad gas mileage?

cool! that's not bad at all! glad I finally heard from someone who's had this done, not just people whose friends uncles sister maybe had it done 5 years ago
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Old 02-23-2011, 11:39 PM
KC2001 KC2001 is offline
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Default Re: Bad timing chain cassette/tensioner cause bad gas mileage?

how many miles does your truck have on it? my 01 has 162000 and i believe i am hearing a timing chain noise...
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Old 02-25-2011, 11:46 AM
xDARKGUITARISTx xDARKGUITARISTx is offline
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Default Re: Bad timing chain cassette/tensioner cause bad gas mileage?

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Originally Posted by KC2001 View Post
how many miles does your truck have on it? my 01 has 162000 and i believe i am hearing a timing chain noise...
About 112xxx, I guess it's a pretty common issue.
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  #10  
Old 03-04-2011, 08:35 AM
rangerover rangerover is offline
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Default Re: Bad timing chain cassette/tensioner cause bad gas mileage?

oops...didnt mean to post on this one..
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Last edited by rangerover; 03-04-2011 at 08:39 AM.
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  #11  
Old 09-18-2012, 01:47 PM
chard306 chard306 is offline
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Default Re: Bad timing chain cassette/tensioner cause bad gas mileage?

I am having my timing cover gasket replaced today. And they put in a new timing chain kit. All that work $693.
I hope I can get back some MPG. The truck didn't seem to idle too rough but it leaked quite a bit. Only 98,000 miles.
Should have a little better response.
I'll see in the next week or two on the mileage.
Right now 21 highway 15 city. Which is not that bad.
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