Hello,
The camshaft interruptor-magnet broke off on my car. I changed the timing chain and tensioner while I had the timing cover off. I used a new gasket and sealant on the timing cover when putting it back on. The car runs like a new bonnie when it is cold and oil pressure is fine at this point. When it gets hot (200) the oil pressure drops, you can see some coolant leaking, white smoke from engine compartment., and serious power loss and clanking. I realize I gotta fix this leak, but am concerned about the power loss and clanking. I dont see how it runs fine when cold but does this when hot. I really dont want to tear this thing back apart again. All this over a 10 dollar part. Could someone tell me if a leak would cause all of this before I rip this thing back apart again.
Thanks

What year? What engine? What all did you replace? How did you line up the timing marks? Where are you? What does the clanking sound like? Where is the leak at? What'* SA sitting at at idle? What'* the CTS saying?

Sorry didnt tell what type of car I had. I added it to the profile.

I am 99.9 % positive I lined up the timing marks correctly. I changed gaskets, timing chain and sprockets, timing tensioner, camshaft magnet, camshaft sensor, and oil pressure sensor.

How low is the Oil pressure going? Where is the steam coming from?

At this point I'd venture the front cover seal is leaking.

The pressure starts out around 50 and fter running about 20 minutes drops dangerously close to red zone. The white smoke is coming from somewhere around timing chain cover. Would this cause the power loss and clanking at hot temps?

The only problem I had when putting it back together was some of the bolts. The threads were the same on all the timing chain cover bolts, but some were studded. Would it make a difference if I switched the studded bolts with the non-studded? the size and thread pattern were exactly the same between them. What are the studded bolts even for?

The clanking is either your lifters crying or your mains banging around. Either way it isn't good. I'm not sure that the gasket is causing this. I'm going to need some help with that part.

The steam is going to allow the coolant to flash at 212* and provide no real help to the engine. The coolant system has to be pressurized to function properly.


Both of these are bad, And yes they will cause a loss of power.

Any suggestions? Should I rip this thing back apart? Do you think it is simply the seal leaking? If the timing was off it wouldnt run smooth even when cold would it? Would the seal leak cause this clanking? I appreciate all your help here by the way.

IT has to be something I did because the car was running fine besides the camshaft magnet problem before I ripped this thing apart.