2011 XC60, 3.2 - Mil: 92k

Started making clattering kind of noise intermittently a couple months ago. No error messages, no performance issues. Mechanic says noise is due to timing gear and chain wearing out and it's a $5k job.

Question: How long can I keep driving it? My commute to work is 4 miles.

Thank you.

 

BTW, it only occurs when I'm idling and it's not very loud.

 

curious if your mechanic is a dealer or an indy. Timing chains are "lifetime" ie no maintenance required. did he inspect the timing chain/gears or just listen? There is a timing chain tensioner under the cover which could also cause some loosening of the chain (vs the chain stretching due to wear). RepairPal suggests the cost to replace the tensioner is $800 and I'd think the cost to also do the chain wouldn't add too much more so I'd be inclined to get a second opinion (go to a dealer if your first visit was to an indy). $5K seems way out of line IMHO.

 

I very much doubt your mechanic's diagnosis.

 

I once had a 73 BMW 2002 where the timing chain tensioner failed. I probably drove for years with it in that condition (those engines always had a lot of clatter even with the rockers adjusted) and only discovered it when I had a head gasket fail. A big advantage of timing chains I guess...

 

Indy mechanic. They couldn't figure anything out the first couple hours and the computers were throwing unreadable error codes. They reset the computers ($150 for that), then came the diagnosis. Don't know if they checked or just listened. He said something about these particular engines having a poor design.

 

not sure about the opinion on the engine's design. Its not like its the first model year of the SI6 (first use was in 2007 for this design) and it shares many design features with the other inline engines which date back to the early 90s. I'd suggest having it looked at by a dealer tech - keep in mind they see this engine every day and can tell you if that sound is odd or typical for 100K motor.

 

Don't go back to that mechanic.