how to repair timing chain

How it's done:

• The timing chain is verified as defective or broken. ...
• The water pump, belt and accessories are removed to gain access for the timing chain. ...
• The timing cover is removed and the engine timing marks are aligned. ...
• The oil pan is reinstalled. ...
• The engine is started and the ignition timing is checked and adjusted as needed. ...

Full Answer

How often does a timing chain need replacing?

The timing chain normally needs to be replaced between 40,000 and 100,000 miles unless there is a problem. Issues with the chain are pretty common in high mileage vehicles, so if you are driving an older vehicle, or one with a lot of miles, it is best to be on the lookout for symptoms of the timing chain going bad or failing.

Should I replace my timing chain?

Timing chains do not require routine replacement and should last the life of the vehicle. There are also differences in design. Now since the CR-V switched over to timing chains for the 2002 model year, if you still have a model with a timing belt installed it’s probably past the mileage required for a timing belt change at this point.

How much to put in a new timing chain?

How much replacing a timing chain should cost. Prices paid and comments from CostHelper's team of professional journalists and community of users. Hiring a mechanic to replace a timing chain typically costs $300-$1,000, depending on the make and model of the vehicle, its age and whether the work is performed at a dealership or an independent shop.

How long can you expect a timing chain to last?

The timing chain normally needs to be replaced between 40,000 and 100,000 miles unless there is a problem. Issues with the chain are pretty common in high mileage vehicles, so if you are driving an older vehicle, or one with a lot of miles, it is best to be on the lookout for symptoms of the timing chain going bad or failing.

Is it worth fixing a broken timing chain?

Timing belts must be replaced on a regular basis, but timing chains do not. There's no reason to alter the timing chain unless it's damaged, strained, or otherwise affected. If there is a problem with the timing chain, your car will most likely have one or more issues.

How much does it cost to repair a timing chain?

Timing chain replacement can cost between $600 and $800 for a DIY repair, or between $1,600 and $1,800 with a mechanic. The cost is high due to the complicated nature of replacing this part. If you want to DIY a timing chain replacement, the parts will cost around $650.

How long does it take to fix a timing chain?

5 to 8 hoursOverall, replacing the timing chain and its associated hardware should take a qualified mechanic 5 to 8 hours to complete.

Will a broken timing chain destroy my engine?

If the timing chain breaks, the loose metal rolling around inside the motor can lead to serious engine damage.

What are the symptoms of a failing timing chain?

Signs of a Faulty Timing ChainRattling Sound on Starting the Engine or Idling. A common finding in a vehicle with a bad timing chain is unusual rattling noise when the engine is started or when brakes are engaged. ... Misfiring Engine. ... Contaminated Engine Oil. ... Check Engine Light. ... Inability to Start the Engine.

What causes a timing chain to break?

What causes a timing chain to break or wear? Over time, the timing chain stretches due to internal component wear. The chain tensioner or the guides that are connected to the timing chain may wear out as well, causing the timing chain to fail completely. If the chain fails, the vehicle will not run at all.

How do you prevent timing chain failure?

Preventing timing chain failureInspect your timing chain cover frequently for leaks.Make sure engine oil levels don't get low.Don't let the engine overheat; if it does, do not drive it.

How do you check a timing chain?

To accurately identify the amount of wear in a timing chain, begin by removing all of the spark plugs and the distributor cap. With a wrench on the harmonic balancer bolt, turn the crankshaft at least two complete revolutions backward of rotation to remove any slack from the timing chain.

Can I drive with a stretched timing chain?

It's probably not immediately "dangerous" to drive with an elongated chain, but if it gets elongated enough, it will lose tension, start to "slap", and may break the plastic cam chain guides or jump a tooth on one of the sprockets, which may cause catastrophic engine damage.

Can low oil cause timing chain to break?

The most common cause of timing chain stretch is lack of maintenance and regular oil changes. Worn out oil can no longer lubricate the chain and will cause the rollers and links to wear against each other.

How do you check a timing chain?

To accurately identify the amount of wear in a timing chain, begin by removing all of the spark plugs and the distributor cap. With a wrench on the harmonic balancer bolt, turn the crankshaft at least two complete revolutions backward of rotation to remove any slack from the timing chain.

How much does it cost to replace timing chain and tensioner?

The average cost for timing chain tensioner replacement is between $1,074 and $1,260. Labor costs are estimated between $696 and $878 while parts are priced between $378 and $382. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location.

Which is better timing belt or chain?

Timing chains generally have a longer lifespan than timing belts. The reason for this is quite simple: chains are made from metal, whilst timing belts are made from rubber, which simply isn't as strong.

Why do timing chain tensioners age?

Like the guides, a tensioner will age prematurely as old oil degrades the seals and clogs the oil passages.

Which is more durable, timing belt or timing chain?

Timing chains, with their thinner width, reduce overall engine length and are more durable than timing belts, requiring no scheduled maintenance. Timing chains do make more noise, have higher weight and higher cost than timing belts, though.

What does a chain guide mean?

The chain guides are often the best indicators of the health of the timing chain. Wild wear patterns would indicate a chain system problem. Most systems are engineered to keep the timing chain under control while the chain wears, but if those limits are exceeded, problems will show.

How much does it cost to replace a timing chain?

In essence, you may need to budget between $600 and $1,600 for fixing the timing chain problem.

What is a timing chain?

Timing chains are not only present in car engines but also in motorcycles. The small roller chain, which seems like the regular bicycle chain, appears to be the timing chain of your bike’s engine. This chain drives the camshaft that sits atop the engine; hence, it is called the ‘cam’ chain.

What is a Time Chain in a Car?

The engine’s mechanical functionality depends on the timing chain, and it works well for making the engine efficient. The timing chain’s major work is to ensure that the crankshaft movement matches that of the camshaft.

What happens when a bike crankshaft moves?

Then, the timing chain gets the camshaft in motion, causing the valves to open and close. There is also a timing chain tensioner with a slider or wheel, which supplies enough pressure for proper chain movement.

What drives the crankshaft and the timing chain?

The pistons drive the crankshaft, and a sprocket on the shaft moves the timing chain. Then, the movement of the timing chain further drives the camshaft, which plays a significant role in operating the valves. So, when the timing chain is in good condition, the intake and exhaust valves move precisely to the piston’s motion.

Why won't my engine start if the timing chain breaks?

The timing chain must move the camshaft and crankshaft smoothly before the engine fires. So, the engine won’t start if the timing chain wears out or breaks. You may be wondering what causes the chain to break if it is made of metal and appears strong. Well, the metal-to-metal contact and other external factors can cause ...

Why do you need to change the oil on a timing chain?

Hence, there is a need for a regular oil change to ensure the timing chain moves smoothly whenever you drive your car.

How much does it cost to replace a timing chain?

Prepare to have a repair budget of around $1,000 to $2,500 for both the parts cost and labor if you’re expecting a timing chain replacement.

When to check timing chain?

More serious problems will start to arise if you ignore the early signs so make sure to give the timing chain a check as soon as you hear a noise coming from its mounting location.

Why is the diameter of the camshaft gear twice that of the crankshaft gear?

The diameter of the camshaft gear is twice that of the crankshaft gear because the camshaft only spins at half the speed of the crankshaft by design. This is true even on modern engines. The crankshaft drives the camshaft via gears and a chain. The timing chain on these older V style engines is of the laminated variety, ...

Why do timing chains break?

Timing chains can break for a number of reasons, which we’ll discuss shortly. If the timing chain fails, it can cause an array of problems— including catastrophic engine damage.

What happens if the nylon chain guides fail?

Should the nylon chain guides or the chain tensioner fail, or should the engine develop a loss of oil pressure so that the tensioner doesn’t work right (as on 5.4L three-valve Fords), the timing chain will be free to slap around against other components ; sometimes a loose and rattling chain will rub a hole in the timing cover, necessitating the replacement of the cover .

Why does my timing chain make a noise?

This noise is often caused by a loose timing chain that may be due to a faulty timing chain tensioner, guide or other issues.

What are the symptoms of a timing chain?

Symptoms of a failing timing chain include: Timing chain noise. Engine misfire and poor performance. Difficulty in starting the vehicle. Illuminated check engine light. Engine vibration or shaking when idling.

What causes timing chain damage?

In almost all cases, timing chains stretch due to improper owner maintenance. Going too long between oil changes and using the wrong type or viscosity rated motor oil causes the timing chain pins and plates to wear, resulting in timing chain stretch. In addition to oil change neglect and improper oil usage, using the wrong or low quality oil filter can also cause accelerated timing chain wear.

What is the purpose of timing chain?

A timing chain connects the engine crankshaft to the camshaft so they rotate in “time” with one another. In older engine designs without an overhead camshaft, the timing chain is short and doesn’t require a tensioner (see image).

How does an oil filter affect timing chain?

How an oil filter can cause timing chain problems. Economy oil filters use a cheap nitrile rubber anti-drainback valve. Those valve have an approximate useful life of around 3,000 miles. After that, the nitrile material begins to harden and develop heat related cracks.

How to keep timing chain from rattling?

To prevent the timing chain from rattling over that long distance, they incorporated plastic guides and sometimes even hydraulic tensioning devices to keep the chain at a constant tension. When new, the tensioner and guides work well to keep chain noise to a minimum.

Why is my timing chain making noise?

Timing chain problems can appear as noise or engine performance issue, or both. Whether the symptom is noise or engine performance the root cause is always caused by the timing chain tensioner, guides or a worn and elongate chain. To understand how a timing chain can cause noise or performance issue, you first have to understand the job ...

Why does my engine wear out faster?

Here’s why: If your driving falls into the “normal” category and you use a 10,000 mile oil change interval but don’t check your oil regularly and add more to bring it back to spec, you may be running your engine when it’s low on oil. If your engine requires the typical four to five quarts and your engine burns a quart of oil every 5,000 miles, you’re wearing out your oil 50% faster. So your oil additives are severely deplete sometime after the first 5,000 miles.

What happens if a catalytic converter valve doesn't open?

In other words, valves that don’t open and close exactly when expected cause an incomplete burn, resulting in a reduced power contribution from each cylinder and excessive emissions. Those misfires and excessive emissions can then result in costly damage to the vehicle’s catalytic converter.

Why is timing chain replacement a job that’s best left to the professionals?

As mentioned previously in this article, timing chain replacement is a job that’s best left to the professionals because it’s very skill-intensive and requires special equipment.

How much does it cost to replace a timing chain?

Replacing your timing chain in time will cost about two or three hundred dollars. However, these costs will be higher if you let the chain break first before replacing it.

What Are The Symptoms Of a Bad Timing Chain?

Also, other signs can be engine hesitates during acceleration, excessive fuel consumption, check engine light is on, etc.

How Long Does a Timing Chain Last?

You see, while a timing chain is built to last for a very long time, it will need to be replaced at some point, usually after 150,000 miles.

Why do cars use timing belts?

Most cars use a timing belt to ensure that this unison is achieved. Other cars may use a timing chain for the same purpose. Here you can find what is a timing chain and when to replace it, how much does timing chain replacement cost at different repair services, etc.

What is timing chain?

What’s a Timing Chain? The car’s engine consists of hundreds of moving parts. The components must move in sync in order for the entire engine to work as required. The timing chain is designed to make sure of this by joining the crankshaft which represents the lower part of the engine and the camshaft, the upper part.

What are the benefits of replacing a timing chain?

Timing chain replacement has three key benefits: Improvement in horsepower – Replacing the timing chain will help improve the car’s horsepower. In addition to this, a timing chain in good condition will also improve the car’s acceleration. Just hit the gas pedal after a chain replacement.