Did anyone ever have a timing chain failure? If so: What was the extent of the damage? Was it a sudden unexpected failure or were there any tell tale signs of final chain failure. I have a loose timing chain (the main tensioner in my 96 se has to be replaced) for about 10000 Km. It slaps for about 4 mins after starting. I am going to try to replace it this summer. ( this is my first post)

 

im pretty sure that is one of the sign of failure (of the tensioner). and after a while of having a bad tension for a while (makes noise) the chain eventually snaps, and bends valves supposably...i have about 112k on my 95se, and no sign of danger yet.....

 

Correct.

The bad tensioner leads to a bad chain. As long as you have the engine apart...