timing chain - ever need service?

[bug]

I prefer chains to belts. I had the timing belt break twice on my last car, with only 128k on the motor.

[ah802]

Usually there is a chain tensioner that keeps the chain taunt. But as the chain gets older, wear can move the timing points ever so slightly, but enough to make the engine feel more tired. It's quite common for the chain to 'jump a tooth' and when that happens nothing works right.

[Antiloop]

chains never needs replacement ! only rubber belts do (every 100k approx)

I believe most if not all nissan uses chains on their cars.

[donaldtin]

seems like new cars r going back from timing belt to timing chain, i've just looked into the new corolla, it's chain again, same as mazda3.

according to toyota, belt needs to be replaced on the 96,000km service package, and the chain will be replaced on the 198,000km service.

the sales told me that the chain is more durable (of coz... -_-").. and chain will be a little bit noisier.

[weedb0y]

chain is the new thing..I don't know of any older car using chains..

belts were the cheap economy way for most japanese cars until now..

[TrevorK]

chain is the new thing..I don't know of any older car using chains..

Then you haven't been working for cars very long.

Chains are what they all used to use.

[blackhawk]

my old mazda van did 285,000 km with the origonal chain, dealer said leave it alone but for a belt they say every 100,000 but my protege went to 250,000 with the origonal belt before I changed it

[Audiogenic]

You never need to replace the chain.

[2000fordfocus]

OK, i didn't read the whole thread~ here goes,

I don't think it need to be change, my moms previous topaz has a timing chain, and it reach 160kms and still going strong... but life ended when a 4Runner rear ended the topaz bad~

[stangboy]

ok guys

here's my take on this...

a timing chain and a belt do not last forever. Yes, the timing chain is much durable and will go much further than a belt. The other thing you need to know is that should this mechanical piece snap it could damage the motor depending on the make of a vehicle, some motors are designed to tolerate a belt breaking.

I would probably service a timing belt at about 135,000 kms and a chain at about 200,000 kms

We did some extensive motor work on my 90 stang 2 years ago. (sold the car, friggin thing was a rocket and it sounded like one too) The car had about 125,000 kms on it. One of the mods was removing the cam shaft. We did notice that the timing chain was a bit stretched so we replaced it since we had it opened up. Mind you...should a timing chain snap on a stang, bye, bye to the motor. Believe me, this has happened to many people...these were not race cars. My buddies have all kinds of cars coming into there shop with broken belts and chains.

[stevethewheel]

chain is the new thing..I don't know of any older car using chains..

belts were the cheap economy way for most japanese cars until now..

hah. what's old is new again. I love it. When timing belts first came to popularity they were sold to us as all the rage, and it was inferior North American Car thinking to use chains. I wonder what is new and different about timing chains now vs. in the 80's that makes them soo good? Or were we really told a pile of crap when we were told they were so inferior?

Anyway, if you can confirm you have a timing chain (not belt) then you can relax for a long time about replacing it. That is probably why there is no specified interval in the service manual....chains can easily last 300,000 km+++ but after 200,000 or more it depends on how hard you are beating your beast whether you get 300 or 500,000 km.