There are numerous utube videos that
suggest how to mechanically check for
timing chain slack…but it depends on
your vehicle.

Torque has a Timing Advance [0e] which
might be worth monitoring.

Some vortec owners use cam retard offset to
monitor slack based upon how much it changes
at higher rpms.

This is all my opinion of course and I could be
wrong.

(Just another Torque Pro user).

Edit:

This is the video I watched…

ht tp://youtu.be/4_f5ukZVri8

AND if your vehicle does not have variable valve timing, there likely would be no OBD signal relating to cam position that would be much help. If it doesn’t, I don’t think ‘ignition timing’ [0e] would tell you much about whether timing chains were worn or not, and it would be hard to judge the slight effect on fuel trims, power and so forth.

Like other members have said – it depends on what type vehicle – as they are ALL different, even often within the same manufacturer. If it ‘_happens_’ to be a Ford 5.4L Triton engine, I used Torque Scan (Back when that PlugIn actually worked !!!) to isolate and work out formulas for all the PIDs relating to the Ford Triton’s variable valve cam timing operation. I posted them all with example dashboard and importable ‘CSV’ file here: https://www.f150forum.com/f4/final-repair-guide-5-4-cam-phaser-tick-knock-sound-141266/index304/#post5133357

Perhaps this will help someone out there.

—————–

54371019