'07 Cadillac SRX: 10,000 miles and failed timing chain!

[Buick61]

Aside from some minor warranty work (wooden glove compartment door stuck; sunroof needing grease), the SRX has been virtually problem free. However, today it developed its first serious issue after 13 months of ownership and 10,000 miles on the odometer.

Those who read my speed-camera ticket thread know I don't drive the SRX often. But the one who does called me this morning saying that an odd warning light was illuminated on the dash, and she described it as looking like a valve (?) I had absolutely no idea what she was talking about, so I told her to have OnStar run a check. She called right back to report that OnStar said it was a "Secondary Time Chain" failure and that she had to have it repaired immediately. (Plus, there's a recall due to something being amiss with an axle seal.)

I don't know if she reported the issue accurately to me, but I know what a timing chain is and that it's bad news if one was to fail. I just never heard of a secondary timing chain. Can anyone shed some light on this? I plead ignorance if it's due to the DOHC design, as I'm used to OHV engines.

Anyway, the car is off to a long weekend at the dealership. I hope it's not going to be a recurring issue.

[Joevette]

maybe she should slow down and not drive it so hard? save on those tickets as well.

[rhvfd10]

it's pretty cool that On* can tell you what's going on. Hopefully your problem will be solved.

[DuSpinnst]

I am pretty sure DOHC V Engines have two timing chains.

[Buick61]

It's on the surgeon's table now. She thought the DTS they gave her as a loaner was ugly. I explained that the last time I got a loaner from the dealership, it was a Corolla, not a $45,000 Cadillac. They must like her better.

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by Buick61

It's on the surgeon's table now. She thought the DTS they gave her as a loaner was ugly. I explained that the last time I got a loaner from the dealership, it was a Corolla, not a $45,000 Cadillac. They must like her better.

Classy.

I wish my dealer gave me loaners....

[mbukukanyau]

She has a DTS, Wow.. I would like a loaner DTS. My daily car is a corolla.. I get Camry loaner.. My Wife's HHR never gets down, so, with her we never get a loaner

[prowlerjc]

IIRC, that engine has two primary chains, from crank to intake valve on both heads. then each head has a secondary chain that drives the exhaust valve off the intake valve.

I'd be pi$$ed

[megeebee]

There is also a recall about the rear axle seal on many Sigma Cadillacs, too.

[MelvinJ]

Please post any details you can find out about the problem, Buick61. I'm having a hard time picturing this: How does any of the diagnostic software know there is something wrong with a secondary timing chain (probably the short one that goes from cam-to-cam in one head like someone suggested)? Seems like either the chain in good order or you are stopped along the side of the road waiting for a tow truck! Is there a tensioner with a position sensor on these little chains?

Anyway, sorry to hear you are having a problem with the SRX. This kind of thing is always frustrating.

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by MelvinJ

Please post any details you can find out about the problem, Buick61. I'm having a hard time picturing this: How does any of the diagnostic software know there is something wrong with a secondary timing chain (probably the short one that goes from cam-to-cam in one head like someone suggested)? Seems like either the chain in good order or you are stopped along the side of the road waiting for a tow truck! Is there a tensioner with a position sensor on these little chains?

Anyway, sorry to hear you are having a problem with the SRX. This kind of thing is always frustrating.

Apparently, GM had a supplier issue with the chains on earlier production 2007 SRX V6s. They were manufactured incorrectly, and apparently "stretch" over time. I'll know the full story after the dealer accesses. Several people on Cadillac Forums have had the issue. It does have a tensioner and position sensor.

[emh]

Originally Posted by Buick61

She thought the DTS they gave her as a loaner was ugly. I explained that the last time I got a loaner from the dealership, it was a Corolla, not a $45,000 Cadillac. They must like her better.

Hmm... sounds strangely familiar. Every time I have taken in my SRX ('05) for scheduled maintenance or warranty work, the dealer gets me a loaner from Enterprise down the street (G6, Suburban, Outlook). The one time my wife took it in, they gave her a CTS loaner with the dealer's custom plates and gave her flowers when picking up the car! Not that I want the guy at the dealer giving me flowers, but what's with the gender bias...

[GMCSonoma]

Originally Posted by MelvinJ

Please post any details you can find out about the problem, Buick61. I'm having a hard time picturing this: How does any of the diagnostic software know there is something wrong with a secondary timing chain (probably the short one that goes from cam-to-cam in one head like someone suggested)? Seems like either the chain in good order or you are stopped along the side of the road waiting for a tow truck! Is there a tensioner with a position sensor on these little chains?

Anyway, sorry to hear you are having a problem with the SRX. This kind of thing is always frustrating.

My dealer has replaced a few namely due to this TSB:


#07-06-01-013: LP1, LY7 MIL/DTCs P0008, P0009, P0016, P0017, P0018 or P0019 (Replace Primary Drive and Both Secondary Drive Time Chains) - (Aug 9, 2007)

Subject:LP1, LY7 MIL/DTCs P0008, P0009, P0016, P0017, P0018 or P0019 (Replace Primary Drive and Both Secondary Drive Timing Chains)

Models:2007 Cadillac CTS, SRX, STS

2007 Buick LaCrosse/Allure
with 2.8L HFV6 or 3.6L HFV6 Engine (VINs T, 7 -- RPOs LP1, LY7)

Condition

Some customers may comment on the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) being illuminated. Technicians may find the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) stored:

• DTC P0008 : Engine Position System Performance Bank 1

• DTC P0009 : Engine Position System Performance Bank 2

• DTC P0016 : Crankshaft Position (CKP) - Intake Camshaft Position (CMP) Correlation Bank 1
• DTC P0017: Crankshaft Position (CKP) - Exhaust Camshaft Position (CMP) Correlation Bank 1
• DTC P0018 : Crankshaft Position (CKP) - Intake Camshaft Position (CMP) Correlation Bank 2
• DTC P0019 : Crankshaft Position (CKP) - Exhaust Camshaft Position (CMP) Correlation Bank 2

Cause

This condition may be caused by stretched primary drive and both secondary drive timing chains.
Correction

Refer to SI for the follow diagnostic information if only one of the following DTCs are set:

• DTC P0008

• DTC P0009

• DTC P0016
• DTC P0017
• DTC P0018
• DTC P0019

If there are more than one of the above mention DTCs set, inspect for stretched timing chains. Refer to Camshaft Timing Drive Components Cleaning and Inspection (Fourth Design) in SI.

Important: For demonstration purposes -- The 3rd design chain (1) was never used in the models mentioned in this bulletin.
The above illustration shows the 3rd design roller type chain (1) (for model years 2005-2006 -- LY7) and the 4th design link type chain (2) (for model year 2007 -- LY7).
It may take several thousand miles/kilometers of use before the timing chains begin to stretch. Inspect both the primary drive and both secondary drive timing chains for the following:

• Binding links

• Loose links

• Loose pins

If any of the chains are stretched, replace the primary drive and both secondary drive timing chains only. DO NOT replace any of the other timing chain component parts.
Parts Information

Part Number
Description
Qty
12599718
Timing Chain, Primary (Second Design)
1
12599716
Timing Chain, Secondary (Second Design)
1
Warranty Information

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:
Labor Operation
Description
Labor Time
J0820
Chain, Camshaft Timing -- Replace
Use Published Labor Operation Time

[paul8488]

Yikes. In the end if they do a quick and proper job of fixing it it's not necessarily a huge dilemma, but that's still a pretty big deal if you ask me! Once again my choice to drive cheap, crappy cars seems like a good one!

[rbarrios]

once again GMCSonoma comes to the rescue with great pics.