When I saw Suzuki XL7 I thought you were going to be working on yours. Glad yours isn't broken down!

I was for sure that engine was toast. Like burnt toast. Like no amount of butter or jam could save that burnt toast! I thought you were a fool to keep the on the diagnosis. Even though I have had a lot of respect for you. Was i wrong! And humbled. You are good at what you do. Well done. I will be a subscribed member for life!

Im not sure how I did it but I did the same thing 2 weeks ago. Had to pull engine back out and reset timing. I will always replace all of the chains and all 4 cam phasers. The vehicle I had done the work on was a car lot car. THe car lot did the chains and it ran for 1 trip. I diagnosed it and it was not building high pressure fuel. I called the HPFP at that time. Looking back it was out of time and that is why it was not building HPF. I diaged it again and found timing off. Another shop replaced timing set. It drove for 1 week and engine blew up. Car lot bought a used engine and had same shop replace engine with new OEM timing chains. Car lot called me and asked me to install CKP sensor because they had a code for it. I asked them if they wanted me to install the sensor or diagnose the problem or I could do both. Previous shop had timing off. 8k miles later reluctor broke off of rear intake actuator and front intake actuator was broken internally.

Considering what is at stake buy OEM parts, may cost more but will save you a lot of grief

You better triple check those marks on an engine like that. Way too easy to fool yourself into thinking you have it right. And then get your buddy to look at it and confirm!

Ivan, that was mind blowing diagnosis! I'm really surprised that the engine ran at all with the egr effect! I followed on what you explained. I understood how the things work on degrees! Great video!!

I found the best description of the compressed portion and the vacuum adding to the problem from about 17:34 and 19:40. With the "rulers" showing the vacuum "pocket" and the exhaust valve opening, you can "see" the problem. NICE DIAGNOSTIC DISPLAY! I hope the correct parts were finally installed and the root cause of the problem was found.

You go above & beyond with your diagnosis...Great work....

Engine load was at 71% at idle, not good! Sweet diagnosis Ivan. Thanks!

Excellent case study and explanation on diagnosing timing issues with the help of pressure transducer. Thumbs up!

I learned the hard way using aftermarket chains. The OEM chains and related parts are outrageously priced but a bargain in the long run. The DOHC setup isn't like doing a Buick from the 70's.

That looks like an awesome tool Ivan, great work.

That noise was horrid. Ivan does it again! Nice work :D

GM should have stuck with push rods. They just can't figure out timing chains with VVT.

Great job Ivan!!! You explain things so well!!

My friend, You just scored some major points in my book. I had just did the timing in my 2013 cadilac cts 3.6L LFX. I did the chains since i was hearing an ever so faint chain rattle that was getting longer fairly quickly. The car has 74,500 miles and is about to be supercharged. So preventative chain and phaser swap, installed the whole blower system while putting her back together minus the belt and the tune. Started it up and immediately got the gnarly exhaust backfire into the intake kinda snorty sound that was a bit mechanical. It worried me and i had never heard anything like it. I had just gotten the cover off when your video came on in the background and i heard that evil sound!!! Heaven to my ears at the time. I though there were going to be bent valves or some serious damage of some sort. After watch this i am revigorated that reseting the timing with Melling parts over "the other guy" will leave me smiling in the end. The exhaust had jumped to where the phaser mark was 3 links off. Problem was the tensioner. Was it a fluke? IDK but the other guy is the usual go to for timing components in the after market, so keep that in mind. *hint* it rhymes with cloyes. All GM phasers however. Maybe in a couple hours it can purr like a kitten also and i can slap the blower belt on, install the 3 bar map sensor, flash it with the tune and see what thats like. Thank you for the video in a simple, non drug out, format and all the good info. Im truly inspired

Awesome job, I will be getting a pressure transducer very soon.

cloyes has a great video on how to time the engine and install the timing set. makes me wonder if the tech cant get the timing correct could he had done something to damage the chain. always thought cloyes make quality parts and timing products.

Great job with a tough diagnosis, Ivan.

The pico scope is the tool of the future! You got to have the knowledge to interpret the readings and you definitely know your stuff! Good job!

Most of the diag went over the top of my head, that's normal for my slow brain lol. Amazing that the badly timed exhaust valves didn't create stress damage to the piston/rings/bearings. The owner is lucky. The mechanic that got it wrong wants a steel toecapped boot up the bum lol.

A friend of mine put a Cloyes timing set in his Ford explorer, and had a massive failure. I can’t remember if he told me if the chain failed, but the plastic guides definitely did. I believe the guides came with the set. It’s that one with the timing chain in the rear, so you have to pull the engine. Total nightmare. He went through hell with that thing. Love how the scope shows all the detail of what’s happening inside the engine. That’s fantastic. I’m surprised it ran, too! Great vid, Ivan. 👍🍻

ivan you are very smart ! watching you work is inspiring .

Great job Ivan

Wow...That is talented troubleshooter finding someone else's error! Great job...

Great diagnosis Ivan 👍

GM has several updates on the phasers and chains for 3.6 and Ecotech engines. You need to get the parts from them. BUT man, I think I woulda physically checked oil pressure. Maybe it was just the cam mic but it sounded like a slant 6 that was outta oil! LOL Nice to prove the mill wasn't junk with the scope. Hard to believe it didn't kiss a valve...

Man. You really got that scope thing down to a fine science.

way to go Ivan excellent diagnosis

The timing chains striaght from GM are like 300 bucks and IMHO is the only way to do this job.

Great Skills my Friend!!

Cloyes is an OEM supplier for almost all U.S. engines. A GM replacement part would almost certainly be a Cloyes. Sometimes new parts just don't work out of the box.

I'm pretty sure Cloyes is who makes the chains for GM, or at least they used to. I know for the 2.4 they do. But the big question is thats an early GM 3.6 engine were the gears supposed to be changed with the newly designed chains? When I went to the GM training center to take my engine repair certification one of the stations was on the early 3.6 and i was like woah hold on there i've never seen a chain like this on a 3.6 lol. This is the stuff I want to learn using the scope, learning advanced diagnostics. I'm pretty much the guy that gets all the hard ones in the shop but a lot of that is because it goes back to flat rate... The favorites in the dealership world get to pick and choose while the good techs out there get taken advantage of. Anyways Great video showing the use of the pressure transducer!

A blast ( pun intended ) from the past : 1969 Pontiac Tempest , 350 engine , 2 barrel carburetor , AKA : The Popcorn Machine ! A friend's car started to " pop " or backfire through the carburetor . I got a call to come over and take a look . When I opened the hood , the carburetor was hanging by the steel fuel line a few inches ABOVE the engine ! I believe the can lobes on the exhaust were bad . They would prematurely wear down . The exhaust never left because the valves would no longer open . When the intake opened - POP ! I put in cam , lifters and timing chain and cam gear . The OEM had PLASTIC TEETH on the cam gear to keep it quiet . The plastic wore down and the chains would jump . It was also a concern that the plastic could clog or get into the oil pump pick up screen . Another GM design failure .

He who perseverates wynns. The ways of the Lord. Keep posting.

I had a timing chain and gear set and tensioner put on my 2.4 twin cam engine because it needed a water pump. 40K miles later the timing chain tensioner went bad and ruined the engine. I was not happy, I was at the mechanic shop when the man who did the work tore it down. He pulled out the tensioner and there on one side was Delco-Remy, on the other side was made in China. I could not blame the mechanic he bought what he thought were quality parts, they were not. Delco-Remy is not a brand name I would trust, it is just more Chinesium junk.

seems the original mechanic didn't have a test in place (like Ivan did) to verify the timing chain replacement #3 attempt. This is the extra step (critical) missing in most mechanics acumen. The repair and replace is complete (timing chain(s)); however lets test to see if everything is in sync.

Good job Ivan👍

And the accountants at GM wonder why folk dont buy GM.

Crystal clear !

Ivan, I'm confused. If the wrong timing marks were used when putting in the new chains, how did the engine run OK for 7,000 miles? I know I'm missing something, what is it. Thanks.

Gotta watch out for the dots and triangles on those CVVT gears! 😁

Cloyes has made high quality parts for many years but was aquired by Hidden Harbor Capital Partners in 2018. Who knows if some accountant decided they should start buying offshore components. Cloyes might even supply the OEM parts. Melling and Cloyes have been the major US suppliers

Just a small addition on the explanation of the late "opening" of the intake: Actually, the exhaust is closing late; causing the engine to suck in through the exhaust valve. The intake valve is most probably long closed at this point; but an engine really doesn't know the difference between intake and exhaust valves, except for their timing realtive to each other.

Nicely done

Am I the only one who was cringing every time Ivan started and revved up the engine sounding so bad ?

The Cloyes Timing set I put on my 5.4L 3V only lasted something like 30k miles, at least mine didn't have a chain failure.

Very nice explanations.

Nice looking Yamaha behind you in the Follow Up !

Nice vid. Nice bike in the background too. Gotta get to work on mine. (Been out of commission for over 10 years) Blue 1981 CB900C 10speed

Excellent explanation of how engines don't like to run on inert gases! I scored the 666 like thumbs up. So fitting for such a possessed engine! Another Great Video!

Nice looking Seca 750 in the back ground

Ironic I get on youtube and they recommended this video to me when I start a XL-7 engine swap due to busted chain on bank 1. Oh the irony. See you made your own pressure transducer, Think I need to make my own.

When it comes to timing chains/belts I always ask for OEM parts. Cost? Yeah it will. But worth every penny. My opinion. Your mileage may vary.

Man, a new chain just snaps. Must be from Schwinn? 😁

Oof. That's got to look bad for the shop. First problem is horrible GM design, followed by aftermarket part failure, followed by an oversight on the warranty replacement. Good diag.

When i saw the title... i thought oh no..Ivans xl-7 has crapped out.....Good diag, Lucky he didnt suffer any other valve damage...

Folks get the cam timing tool before doing this repair. The tool ensures the cams are in the right position. With the cams in the right position it is not possible to mis time only one cam. Cost me $7. All that work could have been avoided. But it makes for a good youtube video. Well done.

Excelent video! It's kind of sad Suzuki decided to turn their 4x4 XL-7 into a Van...

Can’t believe you didn’t once repeat your famoso tagline.... “No parts required!”

A running piezo or transducer trace of the intake would've been "interesting" on that one.

THis happened on a job I did with my pops. It turned out being the cam gear on his side never got tightened up-- so it ran for 30 miles or so, and then the pin sheared and messed everything up on that bank. We had to tow it home and re-do the timing job all over again, and it was 25 degrees below. lol.. It was so stupid cold

Those 3.6 gm motors suck normally I agree that OEM parts are the way to go but when your chains are going out @50k I'm willing to try anything.. now gm put out a tsb for thrush washers to be installed behind the cam actuators and I've seen multiple arguments for low oil causing additional heat being a factor seeing how these motor go though about 2qts though oil changes

What sensor did you use to build your pressure transducer? Pretty clean waveform!

Great Job!

Good video.

if memory serves 09 XL7 not only has GM engine its pretty much straight up equinox/torrent... restyled by Suzuki

Ivan, Great video and diagnosis/analysis - thank you! I would llike to know your opinion of why the chain snapped. Cloyes is generally a good quality brand. BTW the price difference at RA between the Cloyes and the GM/AC Delco OEM timing set is only $20. I would have went for the OEM. God bless Paul (in MA)

Them guys ain't making much on that job! Ivan to the rescue..................................again! Rite On

Is this a double overhead cam engine? If so, I would wonder if the cam on that one bank is 180 degrees out. Seems the valve opens almost 180 degrees late (120 degrees).

Why would the timing chain snap ? This will happen if debrie interferes with the chains mesh on the cogs. Or one of the axles are bent, making for a sudden overtight chain, when oil pressure tightens up the chain during engine running. Timing chains dont just snap, they are not that heavily loaded, they are designed for durability.

I remember Eric O warning that this is an easy mistake to make. But he was talking Honda engines if I remember correctly. What I do not understand is that it is now on its third timing chain. This last one did not snap, but was mounted incorrectly. Why renew it after only 7000 miles?

At the point where you'd done the compression test, you were pretty sure the timing was out. You could have checked timing without running the engine. It already jumped time (spoiler alert - actually installed wrong), no reason to give it any more chances to jump further and wreck the head. No way would I return to using that brand of timing chain!

The question is why the chains stretched in the first place before the replacement. That is the symptom, not necessarily the problem.

Awesome content ..just wonder why tf do ''mechanics" do such mistakes... If you are doing timing and the engine is running like that,comon sence is to look up the timing and not to start diging all over the car... Love the Pressure transducer such an easy tool to use and it just tells you in simple terms where exactley is the problem 👌

He indicated that the engine was an 'interference fit' type, which means at TDC there is no clearance for the intake or exhaust valves if they are open. If the chain breaks, that usually beings about damaged valves and/or piston that means 'rebuild time' or replacement of the engine. Also, a stuck valve can cause the chain to snap, when the piston slams into it. Stopped to comment at 03:12, now to see if I was correct!

Where did you get your pressure transducer? Pico wants WAY too much for their unit IMO.

Takes me back doing my very first 3.6 timing chains.. it ran like shit after I was done with it lol who needs instructions can’t be that hard

just watch jr go did that!! same engine in his v6 camaro🤨 he be horrified to know cloyes chain snapped cuz he just installed them!

What cylinder transducer is that you’re using?

P0008 timing motor problem? I mean this code is for a timing loss?

Cloyes is headquarterd in Fort Smith, AR 72908 and MANUFACTURING PLANT 615 West Walnut Paris, AR 72855

Looks like a good running 3.6 at 5:50 😂

I just don't use after market stuff on important components or sensors.

OH...The strange things people say! Say good night, Gracie!

That engine hurt to listen to. I thought you might end up with a twisted cam shaft.

I'd think oiling/tensioner issue allowing excessive harmonics and vibration in the chain/s

I've seen so many videos of guys doing chains where there are multiple marks on the sprockets. Why do these extra marks exist?

Nice !

Pico for the win 👌

To place an aftermarket timing chain in any engine is looking for trouble with a capital T. How many times do people see the disastrous effects, forget the lot and continue to use trash. The timing chain is critical to the correct operation of the engine and not to be messed with. The Oem chain is the cheapest in the long run after all the damage has been factored in. Nice bit of mechanical detective work to unearth the problem and keep the customer from getting depression.

How much capacity on your current sensor clamp do you NEED for a relative compression check? A Hantek 65amp clamp has 50 times the bandwidth of their 650amp clamp. I'd rather not by both, if I can get by with 65amps.

Why they don't use quad chains is almost like they want them to break!

The gas on the injectors is because there is no effective combustion. Question : Shouldn't camshaft phasers be disconnected when taking in-cylinder pressure waveforms?

Hey, is that your old Yamaha Seca in the background?!! The one you toured the USA with?

Well Doc, what's the prognosis? Doc: Most likely, as would be expected the timing chain tensioner wore down over time, which is normal. This caused the timing chain to have too much slack. Under normal circumstances all it needed was to have the tensioner adjusted to take up the slack. Since that was never done, the slack got so bad that the timing chain jumped out of time on the sprockets and in the process, in this case, it caused the timing chain to actually snap in two. No matter what the brand, compared to other timing chains, this one looks to be a rather poor/cheap/weak design, and if anything, if possible, a beefier chain and sprocket set should be installed. I don't know the stats on how frequent this type of failure has occurred do to the poor design but one has to wonder if a recall isn't in order, and/or a beefier set-up gets put to use n the future.

Some how they got lucky it didn't bend valves.

I’m wondering if the cam may b binding. Cloyes has been making chains since we were in diapers. Unless they r buying really bad stuff. I would have pulled the cam caps.

what pressure transducer are you using? I have one from ebay but its very choppy.

Suzuki makes awesome engines there Motorcycle and Outboard s excellent. I had one of these xl7 good car. Use OEM no China!