[wildstylejesse]

I know that Jeep uses a timing chain to drive the cam, but how long do they last...is it good until there's a problem? OR should i pay attention and research the repair history? Is there a standard mileage to go by? I just don't wanna fix up everything and find that i throw a piston into a valve and ruin the damn thing.

 

[Preppi12]

I was told a few years back not to worry with it. Seeing as how it isn't a belt that can stretch, it doesn't need routine replacement. I've got 170k on mine and I have no intention on replacing it unless I have to.

 

[jasone]

timing chains do stretch and should be changed out about every 100K or so. When the chain stretches and wears it will throw off your timing, making the engine run less efficiently. I changed mine out at 95K when my water pump died, the timing chain is right there might as well change it and get a new crank seal, as they like to leak. Not sure what engine you have but mines the V8. Hope this helps.

 

[Jeepinparrothead]

I have never in my life heard of a timing CHAIN stretching. I have always been told that they are fine until they break. I have 207000 on my original and my motor is fine.

 

[jasone]

Well you keep driving on yours, but if you were to take it out and check it beside a new one you'll see yours grew about 1/4". Ask a mechanic, for the most part if you only drive it on the street you'll be fine, but if you beat on it on the trails you have a good chance of breaking the already weak CHAIN, Ill ask my mechanic again, oh wait, that's right I am one, and have been one for the last 10 years or so, but you do what you want its your call, a $70 chain and gear set is a great investment for the older higher mileage engine, and also good insurance that it won't leave you stranded on the trail, [smilie=bowdown.gif] your the man.

 

[Jeepinparrothead]

70 for the chain and about 300 for the labor or two days of my time. Not worth it. It breaks it breaks.

 

[jasone]

I guess your not to mechanically inclined, I did mine in less than 5 hours. but 2 days damn that's a long time are you a union man?

 

[Jeepinparrothead]

Nope, I just work slow making sure its right. Unlike most mechanics that I know. A mechanic does not touch my jeep unless I don't have the time which is quite often or it would just be too much work for me to do. Mechanically inclined? Mechanically inclined like a mechanic...no. More mechanically inclined then most the people that post here Yes.

 

[dmr47]

Timing Chain

I have never in my life heard of a timing CHAIN stretching. I have always been told that they are fine until they break. I have 207000 on my original and my motor is fine.

Timing chains do not stretch per se. Timing chain links and pins do wear and in effect give the timing chain extra length. Is that stretch, not really.
Its like when someone says their engine froze up. Well, no it didn't, it seized. It's just semantics.
Don't cheap out and change just the top gear and chain, get a kit with all three parts. Do change the front seal too.
Close inspection of the gears will show wear on them as well and that affects timing.
Inspect the timing cover for corrosion from the water pump side. Sometimes they will corrode through and let coolant into the oil which is a death knell for engine bearings.


ASE Certified Engine, Brakes, Steering and Suspension

 

[Lloyd]

Re: Timing Chain

I have never in my life heard of a timing CHAIN stretching. I have always been told that they are fine until they break. I have 207000 on my original and my motor is fine.

Timing chains do not stretch per se. Timing chain links and pins do wear and in effect give the timing chain extra length. Is that stretch, not really.
Its like when someone says their engine froze up. Well, no it didn't, it seized. It's just semantics.
Don't cheap out and change just the top gear and chain, get a kit with all three parts. Do change the front seal too.
Close inspection of the gears will show wear on them as well and that affects timing.
Inspect the timing cover for corrosion from the water pump side. Sometimes they will corrode through and let coolant into the oil which is a death knell for engine bearings.


ASE Certified Engine, Brakes, Steering and Suspension

X2

 

[AprilzWarrior]

x3



Stretch=worn just terminology. I replaced mine just a few days ago, did not measure but there was play in the chain, and now there is very very little with the new chain set.



AW

 

[N2Deep]

Sorry to bring up an old post :lol: But that what happens when you use the search. :mrgreen:

Anyway I suspected my water pump was leaking and pulled everything off the front of the engine and the leak is actually coming from the timing cover where the coolant goes into the block. So i am replaceing the water pump, hoses, timing cover gasket and oil seal. I was thinking with 98K on the motor I should replace the timing chain as well. It is only a $58 part. From reading the manual it doesn't appear too difficult. Has anybody replaced one and what do I need to make sure of when installing it. Don't want to screw things up by not having everything lined up.
Any tips please or if someone has that section from a FSM they can e-mail me that would be great. The Chiltons manual isn't real detailed.

Thanks

 

[dmr47]

Timong Chain

The worst part is done you have got to it. Basically just line up the dots.
Be careful don't agitate the dots lol. Turn it a couple times to make sure the dots are still in alignment. Change the gears also as they will wear also.
I changed mine at 113,000 on engine rebuild to be safe. It didn't look that bad. Make sure the timing cover hasn't corroded through. Put a little oil on the seal so it doesn't run dry when initially starting and put oil in the chain also.

 

[dashnJGC]

one thing i might ad dont just buy the chain get the tensioner if it has one .
not sureif the 5.2 has one. when my ranger snaped its chain all hell broke loose but it only took me about 4 hours to get it back together and check the timing.