Timing Chain, Randomly Fails To Start

10.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
145,000 miles
Total Complaints:
1 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace tensioner and tensioner support (1 reports)
2002 Saturn LW200 engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Saturn LW200:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2002 Saturn LW200 Owner Comments

problem #1

Sep 152012

LW200 4 cyl 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 145,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car began to randomly fail to start accompanied by a chafing sound when it would run. Often, it would completely lose power. Replaced the battery, and problem persisted. Checked the alternator and it was functioning fine. Checked connections and fuses, all fine. Could not find the source of the problem. Researched the problem online and came across another case where the person discovered that the problem was in the engine and the car was shutting down as a safety feature. Upon taking the engine apart, discovered the tensioner arm support had snapped and several of the sprockets were chewed up. Replaced the sprockets and tensioner for 150 dollars. This seemed to fix the problem for almost two months than it stopped start completely. Once again tore the engine apart searching for the problem. Took to the internet yet again, found the problem through youtube this time thanks to a video where their LW200 made the same exact sound as mine. The problem was yet again the timing chain. It had stretched which allowed it to jump and screw up the timing. This was also the culprit behind the broken tensioner support and chewed up sprockets. Though we could get the car started by applying pressure to the chain, it was determined that one or more of the heads were damaged once again. This is the second time the chain has failed and killed the engine. I chose not to invest more money into it and sold it to a salvage yard. To anyone even thinking about buying an LW, I would highly suggest you save yourself time, money, and grief and just not do it.

- Craig M., New Castle, DE, US

Not what you are looking for?