timing chain maintenance?

stock89 · 10-28-2002, 10:16 PM

All,
I was just wondering how often the timing chain needs to be replaced. How difficult is it to change, and how much time should it take. Is there a way to tell how good/bad it is by visual inspection?
Thanks!

PS- please look at post "blinding flash of the obvious"

moc · 10-28-2002, 11:49 PM

other things will go first ! IT"S NOT A HONDA it would start to make a hell of alot of noise ( AKA STEEL) your valve train would give up the ghost first ! don't worry about it

7000rpmisheaven · 10-29-2002, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by moc
other things will go first ! IT"S NOT A HONDA it would start to make a hell of alot of noise ( AKA STEEL) your valve train would give up the ghost first ! don't worry about it

I agree. If you do have alot of miles on it a good time to put a new one in is when you are swapping a cam or heads.

drudis · 10-29-2002, 02:16 PM

Run a timing light on it. See if the timing marks jump around at differente degrees: 10,12,10,10,12,13,10,13... That _might_ mean there is slop in the chain as it may have stretched.

Perdonally, I would make sure I had one in along time ago, before I hit 100K miles on the car... For $70, and about a few hours (to remove the fan and waterpump...) its worth it.

stock89 · 10-30-2002, 08:21 AM

I'm glad to hear that it's not too hard. Changing the timing belt on the diesel VW was PIA!!! Had to re-time the injection pump too, which required a $400 tool from VW. Anyway, I will change the timing chain before I depart overseas. There are a lot of things I need to get done prior to going because shipping is so expensive. What is the best site for finding step by step instructions? (Maybe someone's home page? ) Sometimes chilton isn't too clear on things.... I'm looking to do heads, intake, subframes, and re-install my 2:73's for the autobahn. A few other things as well.

Right now, the erratic idle is a phantom I've been chasing for weeks now. (thread "blinding flash of the obvious?) But I drove it this morning and it ran fine- go figure. I think that the exorcism is in order.... LOL

Rob

PKRWUD · 10-30-2002, 10:53 PM

I advise my customers to change theirs at 100k miles, but I have always changed mine every 75k miles. Always noticed an improvement, too!

Take care,
~Chris

10-28-2002, 10:16 PM	#1
stock89 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Mannheim, Germany Posts: 124	timing chain maintenance? All, I was just wondering how often the timing chain needs to be replaced. How difficult is it to change, and how much time should it take. Is there a way to tell how good/bad it is by visual inspection? Thanks! PS- please look at post "blinding flash of the obvious" __________________ 89 LX 5.0 Notchback, FINALLY NO LONGER STOCK!

10-28-2002, 11:49 PM	#2
moc Registered Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ocean City , Maryland Posts: 344	Don't worry other things will go first ! IT"S NOT A HONDA it would start to make a hell of alot of noise ( AKA STEEL) your valve train would give up the ghost first ! don't worry about it __________________ 1991 5.0 NotchBack,Black as of 05/04/09 34,300mi. 2001 LIGHTNING Black 29,872 mi. 05/04/09 (Hangar Queen) SMOKEM UP

10-29-2002, 02:16 PM	#4
drudis Moderator Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Livonia, MI, USA Posts: 1,194	Run a timing light on it. See if the timing marks jump around at differente degrees: 10,12,10,10,12,13,10,13... That _might_ mean there is slop in the chain as it may have stretched. Perdonally, I would make sure I had one in along time ago, before I hit 100K miles on the car... For $70, and about a few hours (to remove the fan and waterpump...) its worth it. __________________ Darius Rudis, Moderator Corner Carvers Delight 1989 Mustang LX - Open Track Car http://www.dariusrudis.com

10-30-2002, 08:21 AM	#5
stock89 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Mannheim, Germany Posts: 124	I'm glad to hear that it's not too hard. Changing the timing belt on the diesel VW was PIA!!! Had to re-time the injection pump too, which required a $400 tool from VW. Anyway, I will change the timing chain before I depart overseas. There are a lot of things I need to get done prior to going because shipping is so expensive. What is the best site for finding step by step instructions? (Maybe someone's home page? ) Sometimes chilton isn't too clear on things.... I'm looking to do heads, intake, subframes, and re-install my 2:73's for the autobahn. A few other things as well. Right now, the erratic idle is a phantom I've been chasing for weeks now. (thread "blinding flash of the obvious?) But I drove it this morning and it ran fine- go figure. I think that the exorcism is in order.... LOL Rob __________________ 89 LX 5.0 Notchback, FINALLY NO LONGER STOCK!

10-30-2002, 10:53 PM	#6
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	I advise my customers to change theirs at 100k miles, but I have always changed mine every 75k miles. Always noticed an improvement, too! Take care, ~Chris __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

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