I pulled the head off the old 2.5L engine, just to see what the issue was.
It turns out, it wasn't a broken timing chain at all ... apparently, someone had already replaced (at least) the upper timing chain and guides ... and didn't torque the bolt down for the intake cam variable valve timing sprocket! ... it was loose!
The exhaust cam was fine, and was turning ... the intake cam wasn't turning at all, and the bolt was partially unscrewed. Needless to say, there were little "dents" in the pistons from the intake valves ... and a bunch of bent valves!
Because there is no actual "key" that drives the cams ... apparently bolt torque is critical in these engines.
I'm surprised the engine ran at all!
It turns out, it wasn't a broken timing chain at all ... apparently, someone had already replaced (at least) the upper timing chain and guides ... and didn't torque the bolt down for the intake cam variable valve timing sprocket! ... it was loose!
The exhaust cam was fine, and was turning ... the intake cam wasn't turning at all, and the bolt was partially unscrewed. Needless to say, there were little "dents" in the pistons from the intake valves ... and a bunch of bent valves!
Because there is no actual "key" that drives the cams ... apparently bolt torque is critical in these engines.
I'm surprised the engine ran at all!