1999 Intrigue 3.8...broken timing chain ??

[huf67]

I'm working on a 1999 Olds Intrigue with a 3.8. I went to start it and it wouldn't turn over. Just a loud thud each time the key is turned. My initial thought was the starter which had a broken nose cone so it got replaced only to have it stop with a thud each time the key is turned.

I was able to turn the motor over by hand only going in one direction and that being back towards the firewall. I made several turns of the crank (not sure if I made a full revolution or not) and then tried to start it again. This time it wanted to turn like it was starting but then stopped again. I tried to rotate the crank forwards from the point it stopped towards the front of the car but it won't.

My question is, am I dealing with a possible broken timing chain or gears ?? I've been trying to find info on this but nobody else seems to be having issues like this with their 3.8....just my luck !!!

Also I'm assuming that the timing chain is towards the passenger side of the motor under the top engine cover....Is this correct !!! Does this engine have interference heads ?? Could I have damaged a valve because of this ??

 

[Chas-Charlie]

I'm working on a 1999 Olds Intrigue with a 3.8. I went to start it and it wouldn't turn over. Just a loud thud each time the key is turned. My initial thought was the starter which had a broken nose cone so it got replaced only to have it stop with a thud each time the key is turned.

I was able to turn the motor over by hand only going in one direction and that being back towards the firewall. I made several turns of the crank (not sure if I made a full revolution or not) and then tried to start it again. This time it wanted to turn like it was starting but then stopped again. I tried to rotate the crank forwards from the point it stopped towards the front of the car but it won't.

My question is, am I dealing with a possible broken timing chain or gears ?? I've been trying to find info on this but nobody else seems to be having issues like this with their 3.8....just my luck !!!

Also I'm assuming that the timing chain is towards the passenger side of the motor under the top engine cover....Is this correct !!! Does this engine have interference heads ?? Could I have damaged a valve because of this ??

The engine only should be spun in direction of correct rotation. That is clock wise. Broken chain, it should spin even more freely, in my experience, theres no cam or valve train to spin. Your just spinning the crank and pistons if chain is broke.

This could be a cocked crank bearing, or rod problem, maybe a piston is cocked/broken. Valve maybe dropped, preventing piston from traveling upwards, but it wouldn't spin the incorrect direction that way either. With it spining(idk how much you spun it in reverse direction) in rev direction might be a bearing in the bottom end, might be loose rod or the likes.

Mostly with the plugs in the heads a engine is harder to spin by hand. Plugs removed it will spin a little easier but not too much. And the starter should have fought that anyways.

The chain is behind the crank pulley, up to mid block and connects crank and camshaft married together. Should be a cover that covers it, with oil dripping all over the chain(no pressure really, just splashing it.) Its dead center, not one side or the other.

Not sure about interference heads. Damn, this aint good. Let us know..