Timing chain?

[bkbenjy]

Do timing chains ever need to be replaced? I've read that 100,000 miles is a good time to replace the timing chain. My 2002 Altima has 110,000 miles. I asked my mechanic friend. He said not to change it, and that if the timing chain was going bad I would hear it.

 

[exranger06]

Timing BELTS usually need to be replaced every 100k, not timing chains. Belts need to be replaced every so often, chains don't. Timing chains are always designed to last the life of the engine.

 

[Warstud]

I think the teeth on the sprocket will wear out before the chain will. Now on cars with timing belts they do recommend changing them around 50k miles.

 

[hounddog]

Just what maufactures call for 50k t/belt change? Older model;s it was at 60k. Newer models its over a 100k.

 

[Dave Hess]

You can get 300K miles out of a chain

 

[fdcg27]

Always?
Don't bet on that, since all of us know people who have had t-chains fail, or their tensioners.
Also, there are t-belt applications that require 25K changes.
The Ferrari 308 comes to mind.
Requires engine removal, as well.

 

[Steve S]

Did a Ferrari 328 cam belt etc last spring and the motor didn't have to be removed. Same car basically.

 

[willix]

Chains don't wear out. sprockets can wear. overhead cam cars, most have composite plastic wear guides that will wear but not for a very long time.

 

[Warstud]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Always?
Don't bet on that, since all of us know people who have had t-chains fail, or their tensioners.
Also, there are t-belt applications that require 25K changes.
The Ferrari 308 comes to mind.
Requires engine removal, as well.


Oh Yah the Ferrari.

 

[fdcg27]

It is the same car.
I stand corrected.

 

[labman]

There are occasional problems with timing chains. I never had a problem, and don't remember anybody I know having one. They are fairly rare and I don't think they are ever a routine service.

 

[Smoky14]

Originally Posted By: willix
Chains don't wear out. sprockets can wear. overhead cam cars, most have composite plastic wear guides that will wear but not for a very long time.


Actually they do wear. The MFG has a given measurement for a given number of links, if you exceed that length you have to change the chain and sprokets. As chains wear the cam timing changes and performance degrades. If you want an all day+ job do the T-chain on a MB V8.

 

[Maritime Storm]

Or a Saturn 1.9L or a GM Quad4, or etc

 

[highmilegeguy]

Yes, chains can " stretch " but not in the literal sense.

Each link can wear .003 -.004 but over the 40 links it adds up to enough extra length to cause problems.

One way is to see if a timing light jumps around the timing mark, indicating slop in the chain.

Another is to use the rotor to see how much play there is. Mark the rotor or use a dial indicator and then have someone turn the crackshaft. If the crankshaft turns 8 degrees or more before the rotor moves, there is chain stretch.