Gear Drive vs Chain Timing Sets

[More Power]

Based on the symptoms you're reporting, a worn timing set could be a contributor. A new chain will likely help.

DSG offers a gear drive for both the DB2 & DS4 equipped engines. If you have a 1982-1993 engine, you can use their standard "Dual Idler Gear Drive", which is about $100 less expensive than their "Phaser" gear drive, which includes a reluctor wheel for the crankshaft (that's why the increase in price).

If you have an engine newer than 1994, you'll need the Phaser even if you are running a DB2. Or, you could machine a spacer to make up the difference for the thickness of the reluctor wheel. Or, install a damper made for a 1982-1993 engine.

Jim

[93GMCSierra]

Based on the symptoms you're reporting, a worn timing set could be a contributor. A new chain will likely help.

DSG offers a gear drive for both the DB2 & DS4 equipped engines. If you have a 1982-1993 engine, you can use their standard "Dual Idler Gear Drive", which is about $100 less expensive than their "Phaser" gear drive, which includes a reluctor wheel for the crankshaft (that's why the increase in price).

If you have an engine newer than 1994, you'll need the Phaser even if you are running a DB2. Or, you could machine a spacer to make up the difference for the thickness of the reluctor wheel. Or, install a damper made for a 1982-1993 engine.

Jim

I still wish I had the 93. However this is the 97. Yes I am sure worn and excessive slack is a contributor.

[EWC]

Take a look at Pete Jackson gear drives . Supposed to make them for DSG .

[Kennedy]

A lot has changed since this post was last updated. Gear Drives were discontinued but now back in production. We try keep them in stock at all times as a US source for the DSG product.

[Robyn]

The hard starting with white smoke and such can also be caused by a set of worn out injectors.

The occasional timing code is not a good sign though.

The ECM will adjust the injection timing though a fairly broad range before it complains.

Before spending the big $$$ for a gear set, I would suggest getting the Squirts checked.

A strong diesel smell when warm is sign of bad injectors.

If its a timing issue, the computer would complain bitterly.

Hard cold starts, aside from bad glow plugs are directly connected to low pop pressure and a set of injectors that are Peeeeing a stream rather than a fine mist upon entering the injection cycle.

This is a commonly overlooked problem which usually ends up with folks blaming the glow plugs.

If your injectors are at 100K miles or more, they are suspect.

With a set of squirts that are in good shape, these engines will start with minimal smoke even with half the glow plugs non functional.

A long period of cranking followed by tons of white smoke and a period of time that the engine misses on a few holes, then followed by a strong pungent exhaust odor even when warm points more towards injectors than timing gears/chain.

Having a timing set, either gears or chain and sprockets that's in good order is a plus for sure, and all the materials mentioned are definately spot on, I would still check your squirts before stepping up for the timing set.

FWIW
I have replaced chains on these and retained the original sprockets many many times. The sprockets are HARD and dont seem to wear.

The chains stretch in time and as Jim mentioned, start to cause issues.

I have seen engines with 250K miles and a chain that was looser than a rat tail in a rain barrel still run good without complaints.


Missy

[befland]

I had a gear set on my old 6.2 engine that broke a crank (not bc of the gear set). I put a different 6.2 engine in the truck and installed a new gear set that a friend of mine bought for a 6.5. I bought a whole box of new/used parts from him when he sold his truck. The gear set was new and since mine had more than 200K on it I decided to put the new set in. It had the reluctor wheel with it but I didn't use it and I used my long snout balancer. Is there any difference in the gear set itself between the 6.5 and 6.2?

[More Power]

Is there any difference in the gear set itself between the 6.5 and 6.2?

Not to my knowledge (other than cost). The reluctor added about $100 to the cost of the Phaser compared to the non-EFI gear set.

Jim