So.. v6 Timing chains. First?

[fudge12]

So I've been noticing for the past few months a heavy "clanking" sound like marbles being shot inside the engine block as I floor the gas from idle. Otherwise the car drives smoothly; I'm assuming this is the first symptoms of a bad timing chain. Last year when I did back my VCG on the drivers side, the cams and chains seemed snug and tight; and surprisingly clean for an engine of its age and mileage. I'm about to pop off the cover again tomorrow and check. What should I be looking for? I have a 220 mile round trip coming up next month so I'll need as much input as possible.

A few things to note:
-The rattle is not heard during idle and normal acceleration; or even gradual acceleration to WOT.
-I have noticed that certain times my RPM's shoot up but very little acceleration.

btw, the search feature yeilded NO results for the v6; so I'm pretty much at the forums feet here.

Thanks in advance.

v6 00' w/ 151k.

 

[Telco]

Sounds kinda like detonation to me. What kind of gas are you using?

 

[1LoudLS]

a heavy "clanking" sound like marbles being shot inside the engine block

Sounds kinda like detonation to me.

anytime I have ever heard somebody describe what detonation or knock sound like has always been"imagine the sound and tone it would make if your engine was filled with glass marbles"

 

[fudge12]

93 Octane, could it just be crappy gas?

 

[LS4me]

Are you in neutral or park? That could be hitting the rev-limiter. If you're flooring it from a stop I would think detonation. Both my '06s did it (the remaining one still does) at WOT towards the top of the revs. Didn't matter whose gas I used and I ran numerous cans of Seafoam, B12 or Marvel Mystery Oil through it.

Detonation sounds like different things to different people. To me it sounds like shaking an old coffee can full of marbles or ball bearings.

 

[fudge12]

Are you in neutral or park?
Detonation sounds like different things to different people. To me it sounds like shaking an old coffee can full of marbles or ball bearings.

It doesn't really matter if I'm in park, neutral, or in gear; it just does it when the gas is slammed to the floor. And I'd say BINGO to that description. I'll get a vid up today for some input.

 

[joegr]

Whatever is going on, it really doesn't sound like it will be the timing chains.