2017 Sienna, timing belt or chain?

[bradly1101]

I finally traded in my old, incredibly reliable 1992 Toyota Previa (with a timing chain) for a 2017 Sienna. I was incorrectly assuming that all modern cars had timing belts, not chains. I couldn't find the recommended replacement interval for a timing belt in the owners manual, and I don't have the service manual. I've been Googling this and have only come up with tables of Toyotas, but they only go up to 2014 (http://www.toyotaarlington.com/blog/2015/12/30/does-my-toyota-have-a-timing-belt-or-a-timing-chain/).

It would be great if it was a chain. Anyone know?

 

[sdifox]

Sienna's engine, 2GR-FKS, is chain driven.

 

[bradly1101]

Sienna's engine, 2GR-FKS, is chain driven.

Thank you! One less thing to worry about.

Sent from my SM-G930T1 using Tapatalk

 

[sdifox]

Thank you! One less thing to worry about.

Sent from my SM-G930T1 using Tapatalk

Chains can break too

 

[bradly1101]

Chains can break too

Probably not the way I drive.

 

[sdifox]

Probably not the way I drive.

Nothing to do with how you drive. Sometimes things just break for no good reason.

 

[evident]

2GR engines are pretty awesome - the FKS is the newest iteration of it. Dont see many people complain about the timing chains

 

[NutBucket]

IMHO the weak part of a chain drive are the guides/tensioner.

 

[bradly1101]

2GR engines are pretty awesome - the FKS is the newest iteration of it. Dont see many people complain about the timing chains

I really wasn't thinking about the engine when I bought it, but from experience I knew I wanted a Toyota.

Apparently in this car the engine makes 296hp/263lb/ft., yet is very easy to drive gently. There's an indicator for doing that (ECO). A car this size will never get great gas mileage, but the contrast over my older Previa is interesting:
Previa : 2.4L 4cyl., 161hp, 4 sp. auto, 18/22mpg (I was getting 16.4 with mixed AC, lots of stop & go)
Sienna: 3.5L 6cyl., 296hp, 8 sp. auto, 19/27mpg (the Sienna is 13" longer and 8" wider than the Previa)

"Depending on the driving scenario, it can use direct fuel injection, port fuel injection, or both, while also alternating between the standard Otto cycle for ideal performance and the more efficient Atkinson cycle more often found in hybrids."

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2017-toyota-sienna-first-drive-review

 

[pcgeek11]

Chains can break too

Very Very rare to have a chain break.

 

[NutBucket]

More likely to stretch.

 

[Yuriman]

I was more under the impression that most modern engines use chains. Which manufacturers are still using belts in most of their engines?

 

[pcgeek11]

More likely to stretch.

Or the chain guides get worn out.

 

[evident]

I was more under the impression that most modern engines use chains. Which manufacturers are still using belts in most of their engines?

honda j series v6

 

[bradly1101]

I was more under the impression that most modern engines use chains. Which manufacturers are still using belts in most of their engines?

I know, at least for Toyota they went from chains to belts and back to chains. I'm glad about that and wonder why they ever had belts. Maybe they wanted extra service dollars.

 

[sdifox]

Or the chain guides get worn out.

I have one of the older M272s. The chain ate the sprocket on the balancing shaft. Had to rip out engine to replace chain and balancing shaft...

 

[NutBucket]

Yep. I still prefer belts. Nothing lasts forever.

 

[pcgeek11]

I know, at least for Toyota they went from chains to belts and back to chains. I'm glad about that and wonder why they ever had belts. Maybe they wanted extra service dollars.

Belts are quieter and light weight.

 

[pcgeek11]

I have one of the older M272s. The chain ate the sprocket on the balancing shaft. Had to rip out engine to replace chain and balancing shaft...

How many miles?

http://www.mercedesmedic.com/check-my-mercedes-benz-for-balance-shaft-issue-by-vin-m272273/

Mercedes had defects and were sued for this very issue.

Mercedes-Benz V6 and V8 engines had timing chain problems caused by balance shaft and idler gear failures. Mercedes produced certain models with defective gears in their balance shafts (M272 engines) or with defective idle gears ( M273 engines). These faulty gears wear out prematurely, excessively, and without warning, causing the vehicle to malfunction, the ‘check engine light’ to remain illuminated, and the vehicle to misfire or stop driving. A lawsuit was filed against Mercedes-Benz.

 

[sdifox]

How many miles?

http://www.mercedesmedic.com/check-my-mercedes-benz-for-balance-shaft-issue-by-vin-m272273/

Mercedes had defects and were sued for this very issue.

Mercedes-Benz V6 and V8 engines had timing chain problems caused by balance shaft and idler gear failures. Mercedes produced certain models with defective gears in their balance shafts (M272 engines) or with defective idle gears ( M273 engines). These faulty gears wear out prematurely, excessively, and without warning, causing the vehicle to malfunction, the ‘check engine light’ to remain illuminated, and the vehicle to misfire or stop driving. A lawsuit was filed against Mercedes-Benz.

How many miles?

http://www.mercedesmedic.com/check-my-mercedes-benz-for-balance-shaft-issue-by-vin-m272273/

Mercedes had defects and were sued for this very issue.

Mercedes-Benz V6 and V8 engines had timing chain problems caused by balance shaft and idler gear failures. Mercedes produced certain models with defective gears in their balance shafts (M272 engines) or with defective idle gears ( M273 engines). These faulty gears wear out prematurely, excessively, and without warning, causing the vehicle to malfunction, the ‘check engine light’ to remain illuminated, and the vehicle to misfire or stop driving. A lawsuit was filed against Mercedes-Benz.

I am aware of the settlement in the states. Except I am in Canada, though I bought it in the States.

 

[pcgeek11]

I am aware of the settlement in the states. Except I am in Canada, though I bought it in the States.

That sucks.

 

[sdifox]

That sucks.

Yeah MB Canada is universally hated even before this debacle. Mind you that only happened on the early 2005 M272s.

 

[lxskllr]

Yep. I still prefer belts. Nothing lasts forever.

I'll take a chain every time. While nothing lasts forever, a chain can get close enough. A good car will give you ~200k before the risk of catastrophic failure, and a chain will usually take you the whole way. You're a ballsy gambler if you do that with a belt.