Timing chain service
 

I'm looking through the manual, and I'm wondering what's the mileage that requires replacing the timing chain and doing all that mess? Someone I know thinks it is 100K but I want to know details. Thanks.

Timing chain service
 

There isn't a scheduled service for the timing chain. They should last the life of the motor.

Like Apoc said there typically are no service times for timing chain. Timing belts are a different matter though. They typically get serviced like every 60 to 100k miles depending on engine and manufacturer.

The service interval is never, unless you somehow stretch the chain.

A rod will say peekaboo before you need to replace the timing chain.

I've read about Fords and Audis that needed timing chain work. Guessing the timing chain stretching is more of an issue for engines that handle higher loads? Or is it just materials quality?

Design specifications.

Some vehicles have issues with chain tensioners, but rarely with the actual chains.

I remember a service manager at a Toyota dealer trying to convince me to have my belts replaced in my Celica GTS.

I asked him, "Belts in the 2ZZGE engine?" He said "Yes, those have a 60,000 mile replacement interval".

Got a deer in the headlights look when I took the keys back and informed him that I didn't appreciate being sold belt service for a vehicle with timing chains.

I left and never went back to that service department.

A little bit of both.

Chains stretch over time with normal use, as is the case with most metals that see lateral loads. It's kind of dumb to overhaul a high mileage engine and not do timing chain while you are at it.

There's some obscure info about design specs, but generally you will want to replace timing chain if it's stretched to the point where camshaft timing is off by an amount that cannot be corrected by the cam gears.

In general, timing chain systems usually have the chain tensioner replaced first before the chain is serviced.

Source: many many years of KA/SR experience.

-alex

I had this conversation with a friend recently. Not stretch, but wear. (I know, BFD)

I'm just putting this out there for all interested. Worn chains wear sprockets. Worn sprockets wear chains. Always replace them as a complete set.

Another way to identify wear is by wrapping the chain around the cam sprocket. Then try to lift the chain away from the sprocket while it's on there. If there's any give, it's worn. A new chain and sprocket will match up perfectly.

He was referring to timing belts. Specifically.

Your insult is misguided and most unwelcome.

Went and replaced the timing chain in my KA24DE with 200k miles of beating over ~23 years. It was totally unnecessary and I made a few mistakes doing the job which means I wish I hadn't even bothered, the problem I was trying to resolve had a simpler solution.

Someone assumed... I LOL'd