Okay, My Car is at 72k miles, so, I'm planning on replacing the timing chain sometime this summer before it fails. I figured I'd replace the tensioner while I'm in there.

I know I need:

The Chain - http://www.crateenginedepot.com/stor...P2406C133.aspx


The Tensioner - http://www.crateenginedepot.com/stor...P2216C133.aspx

Do I need to replace the chain guide (the piece the tensioner pushes on)? If So, I can't find a part number.

Are there any gaskets that will need replacing?

What else am I missing?

Thanks!

 

why do you need to replace the chain..its not a belt

if its not broke you wont need to fix it..chains just dont go out..belts do

 

If you're going to change it, you may want to replace the timing cover gasket. Personally, I wouldn't go through changing the chain at just 72k, but if you really want to, I'd replace the gasket, but I always replace gaskets if i'm in there. Chains typically last a loooooooooong time.

 

WEll, in that case, should i replace the tensioner, or just wait until it gets loud too?

 

My car has 30K miles on it and the guides were worn pretty good when the dealer did the tensioner last week. They changed the guides cause they broke one when they tapped the chain to set the tensioner. The Guides were very brittle for so few miles.

 

chains stretch...

 

We are doing a lot of interal work and I can say my chain was slapping around and stretched a fair bit. We compared it to a new one and you can see the difference in length by 1/2-1" which is crazy for a chain.

 

If youre gonna do it, do it right. Change the sprockets too. when chains stretch they wear a pattern in the sprockets, changing their pitch. When you put a new chain on old sprockets you get accelerated wear on your fresh install.

Front cover gasket is reusable if you dont damage it

Cam and crank bolts are NOT reusable

 

So Maven you are just talking about the lower sprockets and not the cam gears? Or do those need to be replaced as well?

 

if your doing the timing chain, change the crank sprocket, cam sprockets, chain, guides, tensioner. if your in there, change the balance shaft chain, tensioner, guides and sprockets. that would be the 100% correct way to do it. however, i wouldnt bother with any of it, its a chain not a belt. yes the chain does stretch, however thats why we have hydrolic tensioners.

ive seen a 350k km ecotec apart, timing chain was still in usable shape.

 

That engine never saw the RPM's that we put these LSJ's through.

I agree that 72K miles is kinda early to be changing the chain, if you want to do it you have to replace everything, the chain, cam gears, crank sprocket, guides, tensioner, all that good stuff.