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Timing-chain adjustment.

Got a nasty sound coming from the engine?

It may well be the timing chain if it hasn’t been adjust recently. The timing-chain has a manual adjuster than needs to be adjusted every 10,000 kms or it will eventually do terminal damage to your head. Luckily, to adjust it is an easy five minute job:

At the front right-hand side of the engine (above the alternator) is a 13mm nut (sometimes 14 mm) on a short tube. It should look just like this, but dirtier:

Undo the bolt a little bit, then using either a socket or spanner on the crank pulley nut, or the cranking-handle*, turn engine continuously for 1.5 to 2 turns in the direction the motor runs**. Give the tensioner cap a gentle tap with a hammer, and re-tighten the bolt. Chain adjusted.

If you're in any doubt over these instructions download the manual from and follow the full instructions.

* If you don’t have something to turn the engine over, pop the car into in top-gear and push it forward manually a couple of metres (you can pop the spark plugs out first if you can't push it easily). Best done with 2 people so that you can make sure ** doesn't happen.

** Make sure you don't let the engine spin backwards while the nut is loose, or the cam chain may jump a tooth and possibily damage valves. For this reason you should not use the starter to turn the engine over during adjustment.

If that doesn’t work:

You might need to replace the plastic slipper pad (see image above). A new pad is cheap enough, but looks like a bit of a pain to fit.

And if that doesn’t work:

It's probably new chain and tensioner time (about 30 quid from www.lada.co.uk).

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