Timing Chain Replacement Cost varies. The cost will depend on so many factors which will be analyzed in this write-up. However, Timing is the process of synchronizing the camshafts with the crankshaft.
This allows the air to penetrate and exit the engine at a precise time. It also informs the ECU when it should fire each spark plug for optimal combustion. This Timing chain is mostly seen in model vehicles and is supposed to last the life of the vehicle. Though you can always service it whenever there’s an issue with the chain.
Timing Chain Replacement Cost
If at all there’s an issue with your car timing chain, and requires replacement, to determine the cost, you should consider the following factors; Car Model, Make, Year, Mechanic shop or Technician.
With these factors, there is no fixed price anywhere for Timing Chain Replacement. However, you should expect to pay about $800 to $1500 for this maintenance at an independent shop.
3 Signs Your Timing Chain is Failing
Here are bad Timing Chain signs;
Chain Noise on Startup: When you want to start your car, you shouldn’t hear the timing chain. Should in case you hear an unusual rattling or grinding noise from the engine on startup that goes away after a moment, you may have a failing timing chain component.
Although, some cars have more engine noise than others. It is the car you have been driving for a long and all of a sudden you hear strange sounds, you can take to technician shop.
Misfires or Rough Idle: The Timing chains optimize the combustion process by controlling the inflowing and outflowing of air in the combustion chamber. So if you have a timing chain that jumped a tooth, valves may be open or closed when they shouldn’t be. Thereby causing a rough running engine, particularly at idle.
Can’t Start Engine: You will have trouble starting the car if the timing chain has broken. And there will be no means to lift the intake valves to bring fresh air into the engine, and no way to evacuate exhaust gases without the timing chain.
What are the Major Causes of Timing Chain Noise?
Timing chain noise is mostly caused by a loose timing chain tensioner. The tensioner is responsible for taking up slack on one side of the timing chain.
The Hydraulic Tensioners: lots of tensioners are hydraulically actuated. On the tensioner, there is an oil passage that runs through the front of the engine into a little piston. So, when the oil is under pressure, this piston puts pressure on the timing chain tensioner and takes the slack out of the timing chain.
And If oil change intervals are neglected, the oil passages that lead to this little piston can become clogged. Thereby preventing the piston from taking the slack out of the timing chain. It will eventually increase the rattling noise from the chain.
The Mechanical Tensioners: the mechanical tensioners make use of a spring and a pawl instead of hydraulic pressure. The spring mounts pressure on the tensioner’s piston, and this piston pushes against the chain guide. Then the pawl locks the tensioner in place.
However, since there is a little distance between pawl teeth, the tensioner piston may stop in a number of slightly different positions when you turn off the engine. The engine may also stop with the timing chain resting right up against the pawl, or stop with a little slack in the tensioner.
So, If there is a little slack in the tensioner, this could result in a small amount of timing chain noise on the first startup for a fraction of a second.
What Happens If the Timing Chain Breaks While Driving?
If you’re driving on the road and your timing chain breaks, your engine will die and your car will stop at once. That is to say, you will not be able to drive the vehicle again until the timing chain is replaced.
However, is very necessary to note that certain vehicles may suffer severe engine damage if the timing chain breaks. This depends strictly on whether or not the engine is an interference or non-interference type.
What is an interference engine? An engine where the pistons and valves could possibly make contact if the vehicle is not timed correctly.
When Should a Timing Chain Be Replaced?
If a component in the timing chain assembly has failed such as a chain guide or tensioner, it is always wise to replace the whole timing chain assembly. Including the timing chain itself.
However, some manufacturers recommend replacing the timing chain if it needs to be removed for other work, like a valve job, front main seal replacement, or head gasket replacement.
If you are doing the work yourself, check the factory service manual to see if replacing the timing chain is recommended. But if you are taking the vehicle to a technician shop, your mechanic should know how to replace the timing chain if it is necessary.
