Timing chain woes

[wirelessF]

We have all heard the horror of timing belt engines, but I think there are huge woes with timing chain engines.

Most recent I've heard were timing chain issues with Nissan's 4.0L engines. I would rev the engine and the whirring sound would increase with RPM's.

Way back were some of Toyota's 22R engines when they switched to plastic valve guides. The chain would wear through the plastic, then through the engine block causing irreparable damage.

Anyways I've gotten some good luck with the timing chain in my 1991 Nissan Sentra. 212,000 miles on the original chain, tensioners, guides, etc.

 

[Drew99GT]

Those old Nissan SR20s and GA16DE are tough motors. It seems many OEMs have cheaped out with the way they design timing chain tensioner systems. However, they have become much more complex with overhead cam systems, especially on V-type engines. Older pushrod motors didn't even really need a tensioner.

 

[Maritime Storm]

Not everyone designs and builds a good timing chain set-up for OHC applications. GM is having issues with timing chains right now on DFI applications due to increased stress the chains weren't designed for when the engines were converted to DFI from SFI.

 

[Colt45ws]

There are some Ford 4.6L V8 with a bad run of tensioners. The chain would wear though the nylon very quickly (relatively, under 100k usually) then go metal on metal with the aluminum base.

 

[wheelman]

Saturns had chain issues if not cared for so did cavaliers with the 2.2ohv

 

[Chris Meutsch]

While I love the fact that I don't have to change a timing belt on my 2005 CR-V, I also think I should perhaps at least check potential wear/stretch at 150k, which will be here in about a month. Just for safety....and neurosis.

 

[Donald]

The good old timing chains in a GM small block V8. Anyone ever heard of a timing chain back then?

 

[NHGUY]

I'll stick with a Chrysler 2.2 its a non interference engine and you can change a belt in less than 30 minutes.

 

[2004tdigls]

yes, they would stretch and the timing would jump a tooth

 

[wheelman]

Nhguy can they really be changed in 30 mins ? I know he 2.2 Doesnt have a great rep

 

[Hokiefyd]

Nissan doesn't seem to have a good reputation with timing chains. The chains on the KA24 engines are notorious for eating through tensioners and guides.

Conversely, the timing chain system on Cadillac's Northstar engine is a marvel. It looks sexy and it's bullet proof.

 

[stephen9666]

The timing chain system on my Nissan Frontier with a KA24DE seems trouble free. I'm at about 145k miles.

There are some vehicles with timing chain troubles. The V6 Sonatas like mine have common tensioner failures. I remember my friends with VWs replacing chains on VR6 engines, too.

 

[Nick R]

I'm on the lookout for any timing chain problems with our equinox. I'm not expecting anym, because of the really short OCI from the OLM. I'll probably always be changing it before or at the latest 5,000 miles.

 

[rjundi]

Originally Posted By: stephen9666
I remember my friends with VWs replacing chains on VR6 engines, too.


Me too. My poor friend spent $4000+ replacing the chain in his VR6 equipped Eurovan. The motor and transmission had to be both be pulled to access it. Something was arry under there causing a check engine light.

 

[Old Mustang Guy]

You guys have given me something else to wonder about on my 01 Escape with 177k. It has the Duretec v6 with timing chain.

 

[Kestas]

Originally Posted By: Colt45ws
There are some Ford 4.6L V8 with a bad run of tensioners.

At this very moment, my coworker is replacing the engine in his 2002 Explorer with 120K for a broken timing chain.

 

[rjundi]

I'll take $300 timing belt changes in our 2005 Subaru Legacy every 105k.

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: wheelman
Nhguy can they really be changed in 30 mins ? I know he 2.2 Doesnt have a great rep


20 mins if it doesn't have A/C.

The Chrysler 2.2 was a solid engine once they added FI. The valve cover leaking was always a trouble spot until around 1990 though.

 

[yonyon]

Originally Posted By: wheelman
Nhguy can they really be changed in 30 mins ? I know he 2.2 Doesnt have a great rep


The 2.2 and 2.5 were simple so long as you didn't have a turbo to get in the way. Thirty minutes sounds reasonable if it takes you fifteen to jack it up and take the wheel off. It's not quite that quick the first time, mind you, but after three or four, no problem. A head gasket shouldn't be more than an hour and ten if the head is still straight. There was definitely an up side to Chrysler 'cheapness' dumped on top of 'German Engineering' right there.

 

[Rock_Hudstone]

Originally Posted By: Donald
The good old timing chains in a GM small block V8. Anyone ever heard of a timing chain back then?

Yes, many GM engines for years had timing sets with nylon coated cam gears which were notorious for the teeth breaking off with age and mileage.

If things got bad enough the broken teeth would clog the oil pickup and seize the engine. Don't ask me how I know.