Changing timing chain gordini engine

[Pete]

What’s the best way to approach this? Is it possible to do it with the engine still in the car? Or do I have to remove most of it to tackle it?

I think I’m having timing chain issues. The car was running smooth. Then two days ago when I started it. It sounded like what I thought could be the oil not lubricating. But speaking to a mechanic mate said it could be the timing chain.. he said about if it’s manual or automatic tensioner. Me being new to all this mechanical engineering stuff have no idea. I’m spending the evening reading up on the gordini 16ts 807 engine. I haven’t found any “YouTube” vids to help this time. Lol.

This page is the best I’ve found so far.
http://www.lotus-europa.com/manuals/misc/renault%20R16%20shop%20manual.pdf

Anyone got any others that you can actually see the pictures?

[Pete]

So the answer to my do I have to take the engine out is yes..

[jbcollier]

I would take the engine out myself.  You don't have to.  You could remove the seats and cut a big hole in the firewall.  I have done that on other cars but it ain't exactly recommended in Baedeker.

The timing chain tensioner is automatic in a Renault.

All that aside, why EXACTLY do you think it is the timing chain?

Put it in 4th and bump the car back and forth.  How far does the flywheel move before the cam starts moving?

[MRN I J]

As JB states 'why' the only thing it could be is dirt in the oil blocking the very fine tensioner oil feed hole, unlikely to be chain itself.
Is yours the car that has covered 550,000 miles, so tensioner & chain could be u/s

[Pete]

I guess I just need to take a look inside to see what the issues could be. I posted a video on Instagram and had a load of people’s suggestions. The more popular one is a value stuck. So I’ll take the top off the engine and take a looksie

[MRN I J]

Take the rocker cover off, put it in 4th gear & push the car oberving the rockers & valves over 2 full turns & look for a valve not fully returning to the top (closed) position, easily checked by lots of rocker play,
or remove the rocker cover, leaving in neutral & starting the engine then observing the rocker/valve gear