I have a 2007 Si. Heard grinding noises in engine for about 4-5 days. Car started to miss and buck so I checked the oil, added a quart of synthetic since it was low. Grinding went away and seemed to be fine. Within a few days after that I got a full oil change and all seemed to be well other than engine light on. Went to a dealership and was told timing chain was definitely stretched and needed to be replaced. The car had been well cared for, owning it since new, oil changes and maintenance regularly, never any issues until now. I wonder if there could be severe engine damage or if it would be worth spending $1500 to change the timing chain. The car has 211k miles on it and affording a car payment is not in my budget. Any thoughts on whether I should replace or not and concerns i should have. Thanks in advance!

 

I would replace. I would also replace the timing chain tensioner.

The grinding from low oil probably was the tensioner not doing it's job well anymore. At idle it's pretty much the spring that holds tension as the pressure can be a bit too low to be effective with the tensioner.

A Honda Tech I know told me he recommends replacing the tensioner every 100,000 KM (~60K miles?). My tuner also upped my idle to 950 probably to help keep a little higher pressure at idle for this same reason. I just replaced my tensioner about 20 or 30,000 KM ago. I currently broke 430,000 KM and still no real problems other than needing to do valve lash. The head is getting noisier as it's been 3 years since the last valve lash adjustment.

 

Update: timing chain wasn’t bad. Tensioner and vct actuator needed to be replaced, a less expensive job. Overall Honda tech said my engine was in great shape and was a good decision to fix it. Better than buying another car!