I am a new rover owner. 2003 HSE7 with 105K. Great oil pressure on startup, after about 3 min oil pressure dropped to nearly zero at idle ant 27 ad 2000rpm. So I Just tore it down to the the oil pump / timing cover. As expected foud my outter pump ring in 3 pieces. My questions is...... upon looking at the timing cover, there is minimal scoring, dragging my nail across i can't feel anything deep enough to stress about. Though there is some visual signs of scratching / scoring.. Should I replace the cover as well?

** Also timing chain has slack on only one side, about .25 inch's of slack I'd say. Replace as well? ad should I replace the timing gears as well?

What I was going to do is just replace the gears, new gaskets, remove dowels, new water pump, and put back together. The cheaper option.

 

Yes while you have it open replace it. usually the timing chain goes till around 200,000 but if your there i would just replace it all now and get it over with.

 

yeah thats what i figured. Chain and gears will be replaced. As for as the timing cover....does this look to bad to use?

 

I plan on replacing but does anyone know how tight this chain should be? and any reason it is only loose on one side? thanks

 

Timing cover should be fine, but if want to replace that too its up to you. Dont leave that bolt in there and clean that old gasket off real good. As far as the chain being loose its because that is the weak link and where it stretched.

 

The cover looks fine, if it bothers you hit it with some wet sand super fine grit sandpaper to smooth the grooves out. Thats what I did with mine and it pumps fine.

 

Great. thanks for the info!

 

I just did this job over the last week. You will be amazed when you put the new chain on, how tight it is. Line up the dots on the gears. Have a look at the RAVE. Cam is at 6:00 and Crank is at 12:00. But not the keys on the cam and crank. The dots on the gears. I marked mine with a red marker so I could see them easier. Any shop can easily clean your timing cover in a ultra sonic parts washer. Saved me a bunch of time. If you replace the water pump. Get the Airtex one form Brit parts of Utah, with the over sized Brass impeller.
My oil gear was cracked in 3 pieces too. But I saw no scoring on the timing cover. My oil pressure is now the same as it was. But mostly 35-45 at 2000rpm. Drops to 8psi at hot idle. Cold start is 45psi. I have a digital oil pressure guage. Engine sounds good no ticking. New Bosch Plat +4's. Purrs like a kitten now.

 

IMHO your oil gauge (due to sending unit calibration) may be reading lower, would expect well over 10 at idle and 50 ish at rpm. One day when you have the time and inclination might want to compare with mechanical gauge. What weight oil are you running? Or could be crank bearings are getting worn down. My 180K D1 makes 45 at speed, and high teens low 20s at idle, 15W40.

 

all chains are tight on one side, look at a bicycle some day. I would replace the chain and pump without question, the timing covers are crazy money like $500 new. So I would reuse what you have this would also be a go time to look at replacing the water pump seeing it is off already and installing a real oil peasure gauge.jmho