REPLACING TIMING CHAIN GUIDE RAILS

[Isambard]

Hi all,

I just had a nasty shock the other day when I heard a ticking/knocking sound coming from the engine. It got worse as I was driving to my friends garage for him to investigate further, when I got there it was now sounding like a tractor!!

He said its the plastic guide rail that has deteriorated and the knocking/ticking sound is the chain slapping about.

I have read many threads here about similar problems, but they are all mainly about the changing of the timing chain, or VANOS unit as a whole etc. I just need to know how long/big of a job/what tools (if any) are required to change JUST the chain guide(s) for a 2001 4.4 euro, with 100k miles.

Thanks