YACT - Timing chain replacement?

[radioouman]

1993 Dodge Dakota, 3.9 V6

When should the timing chain be replaced? It has 140,000 miles on it. Do the sprockets need to be changed at the same time?

Thanks

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: radioouman
1993 Dodge Dakota, 3.9 V6

When should the timing chain be replaced? It has 140,000 miles on it. Do the sprockets need to be changed at the same time?

Thanks

generally, timing chains do not need to be replaced. More often, it is the timing BELTs that need to be replaced on the cars that have them.

 

[radioouman]

I agree, but with 140,000 miles on, I thought that it might be loose. Is there a tensioner to keep it tight?

 

[SuperSix]

You should check with Marlin here, he's a Dodge guy.

At 140k it can't hurt, but may not be needed. Assuming you don't have a timing belt, some timing chain gears are nylon and tend to deteriorate with that many miles. If it's a solid steel set of gears, and Marlin doesn't recommend it, don't worry about it.

 

[CraigRT]

the timing chain on my old 86 Celebrity had to be replaced at about 270,000 kms
I think can probably go farther on that one.. but they don't last forever from what I've seen..

 

[StageLeft]

I don't know for your car but I know that for Nissans (and no I'm not just saying that for a joke) they generally recommend not changing it until a problem occurs. Changing a timing chain is more involved than a timing belt but they are intended to often last the life of the car. AFAIK unlike a timing belt which works one minute and the next you're not moving a timing chain will generally exhibit problems when it's on its last legs, such as an accute rattling when you start the car and what not.

 

[woodie1]

I don't know about your particular engine but some of the older Ford V8 engines were about ready for a new chain/sprockets in the 150K range.

 

[Tiger]

Unless you're going to do the work yourself don't have it changed until theres a demonstated problem with it.
It will be expensive.