The Under the Hood
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Dear Motor Medics, I have a 2018 Chevy Malibu and, every morning when I start it or if it sits for more than six hours, it rattles so loudly that I am scared that something may come apart.
I took it to a shop who said that I need new timing chains. The cost of the chains is around $2,000.
I asked why they failed and they told me that it was likely due to lack of regular oil changes.
I have always changed the engine oil very soon after the dash light comes on telling me to change it.
What else could it be and will it happen again? Thank you, Bob in Cloquet, Minnesota
Dear Bob, Timing chain failure is very common in some cars and trucks. The chains wear and stretch and then they get very noisy. If they get too loose, they will jump teeth on the gears and cause the engine to be heavily damaged.
The shop is also correct in their assessment that it could be from lack of regular oil changes.
That dash light is far from perfect. As you have probably noticed, it can range greatly from a few thousand miles to five or six thousand, which is way too much.
We have found that most vehicles that have common timing chain failures have a much lower failure rate when the oil is changed at three months or three thousand miles whichever occurs first.
Once the chains are replaced try changing your lube routine and see. Take care, The Motor Medics
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