Mitsubishi Delica Owners Club UK™

AWG81 · Joined: 26 Jul 2017 Posts: 115 Location: Seascale

Hi all,

I’ve had all sorts of trouble with my L400 this year and finally got it back up and running, only for it to develop what I think is the dreaded timing chain rattle. I had a new split link one fitted a few years ago (I’ve done approx 30,000 miles since) so is it likely to have stretched that much already? With the filler cap off I can lift the chain a couple of mm and I’m getting a rhythmic sound similar to the ‘chuff chuff’ described on the forum which gets worse at high revs.

I’ve done a fair bit of work on the engine since I had the van but I’m terrified of trying to do the split link chain myself in case I balls it up and create even more work for myself! I already had to take the front timing case off the engine once and I don’t fancy doing it again if I accidentally drop the chain or anything silly.

Is there a definitive guide to doing this? Seeing as it already has a split link chain fitted I won’t even have to cut the old one I guess…

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Deker · Joined: 08 Mar 2008 Posts: 3833 Location: Borehamwood

Chain worn @ 30k miles Shocked

You've done the primary check. Now to do a further check for the chain tensioner.

Remove the Rocker cover, look down at the tensioner, see how far out its protruding,
if its a long way out, then chain is worn, or the guide may have broken.

It is most improbable that the tensioner is sticking. If it is, the oil feed may be blocked.
Remove it, clean the oil gallery. Also check that the small latch is operating properly,
and the plunger springs out.

HTH
Mr D

Lewis · Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2021 19:02 Post subject: Re: Timing chain?

AWG81 · Joined: 26 Jul 2017 Posts: 115 Location: Seascale

Thanks for that Lewis, I guess it is a possibility then. Mine was fitted by Mark about three or four years ago but I guess there could have been another bad batch.

And thanks Deker, I will check the tensioner first and see what I'm up against.

AWG81 · Joined: 26 Jul 2017 Posts: 115 Location: Seascale

Morning all! I took the rocker cover off this morning to check the chain tensioner - I'm not sure whether the tensioner is out all the way or not so I took a photo and wondered what you all thought? I would say there's about 25 - 30mm of the tensioner extended.

There seems to me to be a fair amount of slack, but in truth I have no idea - I can quite easily lift the chain with my fingers but only by a couple of mm. I took a quick video, again hoping someone can let me know: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wy1JMVgSGoRWjG0yBFtG7UHwivO5SNK0/view?usp=sharing

Thanks.

Lewis · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2021 12:38 Post subject:

Here's some photos to judge it against:- http://www.MDOCUK.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=49309
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Deker · Joined: 08 Mar 2008 Posts: 3833 Location: Borehamwood

That chain is scrap metal.

Mr D

AWG81 · Joined: 26 Jul 2017 Posts: 115 Location: Seascale

Thanks for the link to the photos Lewis and thanks Deker - that's certainly succinct!

Now to figure out how to proceed...

AWG81 · Joined: 26 Jul 2017 Posts: 115 Location: Seascale

Just a quick update - had the chain replaced today (I bottled doing it myself) by a chap called Roland in Dorset and the chuffing noise has thankfully gone. The old chain was definitely knackered and I think it had been for a while. Thanks for the input!

Lewis · Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 20:04 Post subject:

I take it that was at SVS. Wink

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