Re: [DML] Is the Delorean engine an Interference Engine?

["ksgrimsr" <knut.s.grimsrud@xxxxxxxxx>]

I can attest to the timing chain setup being pretty robust in the 
PRV. I have a 100,000-mile engine torn down on an engine stand in my 
shop, and the chain tensioners are barely even scuffed on their 
gliding surface with lots of travel left in the tensioners (they 
ratchet one way to maintain chain tension). With my torn-down engine 
I see little tendency for chain tension to be lost from either the 
chain relaxing over time nor the guides wearing. It looks as tight 
as brand new and the chains themselves appear perfectly fine.

I'm not sure what the failure mode for the timing chain would be, 
but there does not appear to be a wear-related issue with that part 
of the system. A sudden and catastrophic break of the chain is 
conceivable, but I suspect in most cases it would be precipitated by 
some other stress condition first (or other failure that cascades).

I look forward to seeing you all at DCS.

   Knut



--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Warren Wallingford <warren@...> 
wrote:
>
> The Delorean PRV is an interference engine, but just barely.  The 
valves 
> will just mark the top of the piston if the cams are not turning 
and the 
> crank is.  That said, I've never encountered cam chains broken 
from 
> wear: never.  A greater danger is loss of oil pressure that will 
allow 
> the chains to loosen and perhaps jump time.  Even more dangerous 
is 
> severe overheating that that can pop out a valve seat which will 
hang up 
> in the combustion chamber, putting a hole in the piston or bending 
a 
> valve or rod.  That will break your chain.
> Warren at DMC
> 
> mike p wrote:
> > Hi, I'm concerned about my timing chain going and more concerned 
about  what will happen to the engine if the timing chain breaks. 
> >   
> >   If the Delorean engine is an interference engine, then I 
understand it  will be trashed if the timing chain breaks.  My car 
has over 140K  miles, although the seller and odometer said it only 
had 40K miles, and  I am considering replacing the timing chain.  
> >   
> >   Does anyone know what signs I should look for if the chain is 
about to go?, pinging?
> >   
> >   Thanks,
> >   
> >   Mike
> >   #5781
>









To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address:
moderators@xxxxxxxxxxx

For more info on the list, tech articles, cars for sale see www.dmcnews.com

To search the archives or view files, log in at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews 
Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    dmcnews-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/