replacing timing chain soon

[bassplayaz06]

hey yall,my vibe's at 145,000 miles, and im thinking about replacing the timing chain soon so it doesnt crap out on me one day. any tips on where to get one, and how to go about doing this?Thanks!

[keithvibe]

the chain is good for over 300,000Changing it now would be a waist of money IMO

[bassplayaz06]

ive heard your supposed to replace it at 150,000 and ive read on here of people's chain breaking. i looked it up, and its a pretty easy job.

[lovemyraffe]

Quote, originally posted by bassplayaz06 »ive heard your supposed to replace it at 150,000 and ive read on here of people's chain breaking. i looked it up, and its a pretty easy job.I agree with Keith. IMO it would be a waste of money. There is a chance that it will break, but it is rare. I'm a little confused as to where you found the information on replacing it. I don't think it is as easy as you are hoping. According to my shop manual, you must:1. Disconnect the battery2. Remove the drivebelt3. Remove the windshield washer reservoir and the valve cover4. Remove right front wheel and splash shield5. Drain the cooling system. 6. Remove power steering pump and reservoir assembly7. Position the number one piston at TDC on the compression stroke8. Remove the crankshaft pulley/vibration damper9. Support the engine10. Remove the passenger side engine mount11. Remove the drivebelt tensioner, engine mount bracket and the crankshaft position sensor12. Remove the water pump13. Remove the timing chain tensioner14. Remove the timing chain cover fasteners15. Slide the crankshaft position sensor16. Lift the timing chain off the camshaft sprocketIt is a fairly intensive project. I wouldn't recommend doing it unless you REALLY know what you are doing.

[star_deceiver]

Quote, originally posted by bassplayaz06 »I looked it up, and its a pretty easy job.Easy IF you have the time, tools, patience, and space to do it in... not to mention the $$$ to buy the other parts.1. Disconnect the battery2. Remove the drivebelt - Replace3. Remove the windshield washer reservoir and the valve cover4. Remove right front wheel and splash shield5. Drain the cooling system - Flush and refill6. Remove power steering pump and reservoir assembly - Replace7. Position the number one piston at TDC on the compression stroke8. Remove the crankshaft pulley/vibration damper9. Support the engine10. Remove the passenger side engine mount - Replace11. Remove the drivebelt tensioner, engine mount bracket and the crankshaft position sensor 12. Remove the water pump - Replace13. Remove the timing chain tensioner - Replace14. Remove the timing chain cover fasteners15. Slide the crankshaft position sensor - Replace16. Lift the timing chain off the camshaft sprocket17. Replace the crankshaft and camshaft sprockets and vvti chain guides. New chain on worn sprockets = possible skipping chain!!!Your dismantling a lot of parts with 150000miles on them, it's a good idea to replace some/all of them since you have them out anyways! No sense in ripping it apart again just to replace the crank position sensor which accidently got bumped and now doesn't work after you've got the engine back together...Also, if you're going to do this, replace the front crankshaft oil seal!!!I'd say that this would take the better part of a weekend to do if you've never done it before!Just remember: We expect pics if you decide to have a little fun under the hood...

[djkeev]

Quote, originally posted by bassplayaz06 »hey yall,my vibe's at 145,000 miles, and im thinking about replacing the timing chain soon so it doesnt crap out on me one day. any tips on where to get one, and how to go about doing this?Thanks!Not to China bash but with the ever increasing supply of BAD replacement parts most often made in China, I'd purchase only from a dealer. Probably Toyota for their prices will most likely be less. You'll pay more for an official OEM part but for a critical items such as this it will be money well spent!Heed this advice, from one who works on many cars and has been doing it for decades.The other option is to find out who the OEM is of the timing chain and seek out parts from that provider.This isn't a job to do with cheap parts for IF it should fail, it is going to cost you BIG!!!!!!If it is bad, you'll have signs, rattling, possible timing issues, etc.My 2 centsDave

[yangiant51]

My chain broke at 172,000 and took out the motor. Changing the chain out is a big job on these motors. The parts alone from the dealer are over $300. I bought my 03 base with 160,000 on it and it was abused by the previous owner (original owner), lack of oil changes was the major factor that took out the chain. If you know that your vibe had good regular and scheduled maintenance, and the motor sounds quiet and runs smooth, i would leave the timing chain alone.

[joatmon]

I've got 230K miles on mine. I won't replace the chain as preventative maintenance. If I someday develop chain symptoms I might consider it, or I might consider just getting a lower mileage engine from a yard.

[bassplayaz06]

oh wow, ok nevermind. i thought it was just taking the top cover off and cutting the old one and replacing it. oh well.

[Bedlam]

with all the work and money involved with the chain service and replacement you are honestly better off just making sure the motor stays well maintained and oiled and the original chain will last you the intended life of the motor. If you do ever make it up over 300k and the motor finally gets taken out from a chain failure, you would be better off just getting a low miles motor and swapping it in to refresh the whole deal. The old one will have done it's duty and should go blissfully to the wrecker.

[CBUSVIBE]

i was concerned about my girlfriends vibe at 120K but i just called a very reputable pontiac dealership in the colmbus area and they said the timing chain is pretty much good for the life of the car unless you have problems with it thats the only time you should bring it in, or replace it!

[glendathomsonwalker]

whenever I turn on my car… it screeches… almost like the car runs so quietly, that it is already running and I try to turn it on….so I take to garage and he says he thinks it is the starter sticking… and I need a new starter…
but then they keep checking and they don’t think it is the starter any more …. but, the build-up of oil pressure and to fix this I need the Timing Chain replaced… and because of these new cars the whole side of the motor needs to come off to fix it….
($1500 estimate)….he says it is ok for now but as it gets worse the screech will happen at other times beside turning the car on… even while I am driving… the longer I leave it the worse it will get… and the worse it gets the more $ it will cost to fix it….

[trb]

whenever I turn on my car… it screeches… almost like the car runs so quietly, that it is already running and I try to turn it on….so I take to garage and he says he thinks it is the starter sticking… and I need a new starter…
but then they keep checking and they don’t think it is the starter any more …. but, the build-up of oil pressure and to fix this I need the Timing Chain replaced… and because of these new cars the whole side of the motor needs to come off to fix it….
($1500 estimate)….he says it is ok for now but as it gets worse the screech will happen at other times beside turning the car on… even while I am driving… the longer I leave it the worse it will get… and the worse it gets the more $ it will cost to fix it….

I assume this is a Vibe since you are here, but what year, how many miles, and how has it been maintained - ie: oil changed regularly, every 5,000 miles or so? How well do you know this mechanic? I would think about getting a second opinion from a trusted mechanic recommended by someone you know before spending money on a timing chain for these cars, since the timing chain should last the life of the car, - up to 300,000 miles or more if well maintained. And if it is older than 8 yrs with more than 150-175,000 miles, it would almost make more sense to put a newer used motor in it when it does go, than to spend money fixing a small part of the motor that is in there. And a screech is often indicative of a slipping belt (cheap repair) or power steering pump, more than a timing chain. Certainly have someone else look at it.

Good luck!

[ehoff121]

welcome to genvibe.

There are lots of members who'll weigh in on this, but help us help you by providing the year and model (base, GT, AWD) and mileage.

whenever I turn on my car… it screeches…

This could be a loose serpentine belt. Easy to check if you can press down on the belt (engine off and cool, of course) and deflect it more than 1/4" or so.

almost like the car runs so quietly, that it is already running and I try to turn it on….

Trying to start any car when the engine is already running can damage the starter. If you've done this a few times, a new starter may be needed. You can tell it's running by looking at the tachometer- it's the large dial on the left and if it's not on zero, it's running. Do you have any trouble starting the car? Do you sometimes hear the screech, but the car doesn't start?

but, the build-up of oil pressure and to fix this I need the Timing Chain replaced… and because of these new cars the whole side of the motor needs to come off to fix it….
($1500 estimate)….he says it is ok for now but as it gets worse the screech will happen at other times beside turning the car on… even while I am driving… the longer I leave it the worse it will get… and the worse it gets the more $ it will cost to fix it….

Timing chain itself is unlikely to need replacing, though there are related parts (tensioner) that might. It is an expensive job (5 hours of labor plus parts), but that sounds a bit on the high side.