Cadillac: 96 ETC Repairs, radiator leaks, autohelp

Question
I have a 1996 ETC I bought in 1999.  It has had the engine replaced at 62K (cylinder ovalling), the trans rebuilt at 90k, radiator leaks twice.  It is now in with an Emissions System Service light that they can't figure out.  They have removed the engine to check the timing chain (on an engine with 38K).  I am thinking of a new car and would like to get one of the last of the ETC's but am fearful of all the repairs.  To date all the repairs were under the warantee and Extended Wynn's warantee but this one may not be if it's "normal wear" on the timing chain.  I have two questions.  
1.  Is this type of repair history normal?
2.  Is normal wear on a timing chain such that a 38K engine should have problems?

Answer
Welcome to the never ending repiars of Cadillac. I worked on these for many many years and is why I don't own one. I can't afford to keep buying parts for one.

the timing chain should NOT be worn at 38K miles and if it is whoever built the engine should have installed a new cam and carnk sprocket when they installed a new chain. IF they DID install a new chain. They might have just re-installed the old one.



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