Help Prevent Timing Chain Stretch with Good Oil John Baker | Aug 03, 2020 1:40 PM A problem has been surfacing among some turbocharged gasoline-direct-injected (T-GDI) engines over the past few years: timing chain stretch. Experts think soot is to blame. Although most people associate soot with old-fashioned diesel engines, a modern T-GDI engine can produce more soot than an older diesel not equipped with a particulate filter. Soot can cause big problems Life is often a series of trade-offs, and engine design is no exception. The industry is willing to accept a little soot in exchange for improved fuel efficiency and performance . But “a little soot” is turning into a big problem for some drivers in the form of timing chain stretch. Soot can accumulate in the motor oil in T-GDI engines. The tiny particles can agglomerate into larger wear-causing particles that cause problems inside your engine before the oil filter has a chance to capture them. These particles appear to be causing