hi
the car is a 1998 lumina with the 3.1 engine. it has 206,000 miles.
last week a few times it kinda almost stalled and then it didn't happen anymore, I thought it could have been because of the snow and rain we had , and maybe it just got a little damp somewhere. well a couple of days ago I was driving and it just stalled , and when I tried to start it , it would crank , but sometimes backfire too and couldn't get it started. so It got towed.
the station thought it was the coil packs/module. they checked and there are sparks going/coming from them. now their saying it could be the timing chain. the car was running fine when it quit, and no kinda of noises when it stopped. they said its a big job to do the timing chain, didn't say how much , im not sure if I want to leave the car with them. thank you for any advice or input .
eddie

 

did they do anything to verify a jumped timing chain? compression check? Maybe viewing the cam, crank signals with a labscope to see if the signals are in sync?


thinking that's the problem is one thing, evidence from testing is what you need. guesses are worthless.

 

hi tech2
no compression test was done . they just think its the timing chain , based upon the noise they heard when cranking it, said you could hear some slack. can timing chains jump while your driving? car was running fine that night too, though in the last few weeks sometimes it would take 2 times to start and a little foot on the gas pedal. also does the 1998 lumina with the 3100 series engine have a interference engine?
thanks eddie

 

I took the car back they didn't want to be bothered. I will just try to do this myself with help from the forum . next step I will pull the valve cover to see whats going on.

 

well I pulled the valve cover to see... and only one lifter moves when you crank the engine..... the front half of the cam. is there a magic in a bottle fix for this