Timing chain issues

Question edited for clarity and fix funky punctuation and lack of spaces.
Question moved to model category.

My first thought was that the timing belt had snapped, but you have a timing chain and it says this

Does a Ford Windstar have a timing belt or chain?
Best Answer. Your Ford Windstar had two engine options and they both ran a timing chain, not a timing belt. Belts need to be replaced at around 100K miles, but since you have a hardened steel timing chain, you have nothing to worry about. Your chain should last the life of the engine without being serviced.
May 28, 2019

Has the oil ever been changed. You saying there was a 'pop' concerns me but it may have been a backfire, or unburned fuel popping through the Throttle Body.

And then there is the grinding sound, but that might just be the starter on the flywheel.

The only way to diagnose is to call out a mobile mechanic.

https://www.google.com/search?q=mobile+mechanic+near+me

..

A timing chain is hard to check while fitted, most have a tensioner to adjust for ware , They run in oil and last a long time, if there is no noise I doubt it needs changing.

What engine do you have, need to know. The timing on Ford engines is not adjustable, it is computer controlled, you may have engine mechanical issues going on like a timing belt or chain.

I need to know what year Grand Am and engine size?

Timing chain controls the valve timing and causes running issues. It sounds like the chain and or chain guides are bad and you should NOT drive it that way as you can cause much more damage. Get it fixed and you should be fine. If it is a high mile car have them do a complete inspection of the vehicle before you spend any more money so you know if there are more issues.

no way of doing so. need to remove cover. i have been doing this since 1996 and have never seen chain driven nissan jump timing. have seen some timing belt cars jump, but never chain driven engines. i think you have something else going on. i have done many and many timing chain jobs on frontiers and maximas, but not for a timing chain jumping issue. upper timing chain shoes wear out and engine gets noisy. i have to say i have seen some with the primary chain stretched a bit, but car still ran fine.

it has two timing chains

You need to stay with a knowledgable mechanic
Without the car, I wouldn't even be able to give any
ideas
You have to diagnose those issues
I know we are just short of a guess, on all our
responses but you have had it looked at a couple of times

have you tried replaceing plugs, wires, dist cap. if not then distributer. then timing chain

cant help the only ford 2.4 engine diesel i know of is the york engine and that has a timing belt not a chain.Sounds like you could be a bit fastidious because all timing chains show wear on the tensioner,causing a bit of a rattle but unlike a belt it will not break just get a bit noisey,answer to that is to turn the radio up a bit