Since it sounds like this is all based on sound, I'd suggest removing the valve cover and looking at the timing chain. You can also just see the tensioner. If your mechanic has seen them before, he should be able to tell if it's stretched.

You could also do this at home fairly easily. I have 10mm on my DI cassette, and I think the valve cover was 12mm. All fairly low torque, so even a 1/4 inch socket set can do it. The only seal is the valve cover seals, which can probably be reused.

I did the head gasket and TC/BC work on my '92 9kt recently. 201k miles, I bought it at 123k, and there were records indicating that the head gasket has been done at ~75k. No records to say that the TC/BC were ever done. The timing chain was stretched to the limit, 12mm on the tensioner. TC gears looked good, but I replaced the cam gears and all guides. For the balance chain, the crank gear was bad, other gears looked good. I replaced the guides, tensioner, chain and crank gear only.

I only took this on because I'm not working, so I have free time, and wanted to save money. I'm also a decent home mechanic, and have a good selection of tools. A head gasket job cost is 90% labor. If I were working, I'd have paid someone to do the work, as it was very in depth, but I'm glad I did it, as it helps me understand the car better. It also made the heater blower motor replacment seem easy in comparison.

Bradley

posted by 12.233.13...

• Timing chain/balance shaft/head gasket replace costs ?, SaabKen, Tue, 9 Jul 2002 14:46:03
  • If nothing else, just remove the valve cover and inspec, Bradley, Wed, 10 Jul 2002 18:14:17 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Read the spread of comments..., 94 Aero, Wed, 10 Jul 2002 01:55:20
    • Thanks for the tips 94 Aero !, SaabKen, Wed, 10 Jul 2002 02:06:53
  • Re: Timing chain/balance shaft/head gasket replace costs ?, peter , Tue, 9 Jul 2002 22:42:08
    • Thanks Peter ......, SaabKen, Tue, 9 Jul 2002 22:47:23
  • Re: Timing chain/balance shaft/head gasket replace costs ?, peter , Tue, 9 Jul 2002 22:34:45
  • NoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo, Robert Kaplan, Tue, 9 Jul 2002 22:19:45
    • Re: NoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo, SaabKen, Tue, 9 Jul 2002 22:42:42
      • Economics, Robert Kaplan, Wed, 10 Jul 2002 00:04:53
      • Re: No?, Andrew , Tue, 9 Jul 2002 22:49:31
  • One more opinion and then I'll shut up..., SteveB, Tue, 9 Jul 2002 16:11:33
    • Re: One more opinion and then I'll shut up..., SaabKen, Tue, 9 Jul 2002 16:25:54
  • Yes I am, BrianZ, Tue, 9 Jul 2002 15:55:48
    • Re: Yes I am, SaabKen, Tue, 9 Jul 2002 16:11:17
      • Re: Yes I am, BrianZ, Tue, 9 Jul 2002 16:53:57
  • Ken, still cannot believe you should need this.., Aaron Gilbert, Tue, 9 Jul 2002 15:34:56
    • Re: Ken, still cannot believe you should need this.., BrianZ, Tue, 9 Jul 2002 16:04:00
  • Opinion - Replacing the engine is cheaper..., SteveB, Tue, 9 Jul 2002 15:05:53
    • Re: Opinion - Replacing the engine is cheaper..., SaabKen, Tue, 9 Jul 2002 15:30:42

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