I need some advice on my Chrysler Sebring limited convertible. It's making a weird noise.

Asked by TINABARCUSONE Jul 09, 2016 at 11:21 PM about the 2003 Chrysler Sebring Limited Convertible FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 2003 chrysler sebring  conv with a 2.7 engine. It has 87,000 miles
on it. I bought it with 86,000  recently. It"s been making a loud tapping
noise when I start it , the noise doesnt  last but a second or two,but now
when I start it only sometimes do I hear the noise. Also it just started  
making a loud squaling noise when i start it  as well. Noise stops when I
pump the gas quick. I was told by a mechanic that  its the timing chain. The
cost to replace the chain and all that goes with it is 2000. He said the entire
engine had to  come out,and it was a difficult job .   Now the noise is
intermittent ,so  I 'm not sure what to do!!! The car runs great apart from
those two noises!!  What do you think, should I replace the chain, if it is the
chain or wait and see what happens??? Thank You     Tina

1 Answer

103,205

Get a second opinion. I'm not suggesting the mechanic was wrong, but I'd never commit to a 2K job without verification that is indeed whats wrong. Tapping that goes away after a few seconds tend to be related to lack of oil, once the engine gets going it builds oil pressure back up and whatever was tapping then has enough lubricant to cease tapping. A timing chain when it is bad will make noise all the time - not to mention you'll start throwing timing related trouble codes. Mopar engines really have a problem with oil starvation. You may want to run Sea-foam in the engine to degunk it, then try a synthetic oil. If you do go for a second opinion, also stop and get the OBD codes scanned, your mechanic can do this, as well as any auto parts store (for free).

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