Hi, thanks for reading.

I have a 58 plate Mondeo TITANIUM Automatic 2.3 Petrol. Only has 35,000 miles on clock.

I was driving back from lakes when a "rattle" started coming from engine. It wasn't that loud at first, then boy did it get loud. Rattle sounded like it was from top of engine rather than bottom. It would dissapear completely it approx 45mph, almost like I had found the "biting point". Wqas much, much louder at slow speeds. Anyway, it got me anotehr 56 miles all the way home.

A 'friend' is looking at it and has confirmed it's the timing chain. He is checking on prices of timing chain kit.

What would be a reasonable cost for the kit and how long to fit it? I want him to make some money on it, but still want to know I'm getting a good deal compared with what I'd pay at Main Fraud Dealer.

Any guidance appreciated.

PS: Same bloke fitted new crank 12 months ago and did some other engine work as I had no oil in it. He had to disconnect gear box, air con system. Was a major job. Cost me £3k! Since then I've checked the oil weekly so I know it was full before I went to lakes. Could that be related? It's only done 35,000 miles.