How often should I change my timing chain?
How often should I change my timing chain?
You should expect your timing chain to last over 200,000-300,000 miles as long as everything is functioning properly with your engine. If you neglect your engine and don’t regularly change your oil or leave the oil level low for too long this can damage the timing chain and timing chain tensioner.
How are gears connected to the timing chain?
Locate marks on your crankshaft and camshaft gears. These gears are connected by the timing chain so that the position of the piston (connected to the crankshaft) correlates directly to the opening of the fuel and exhaust valves (operated by the camshaft) to keep your engine running smoothly.
Can a bad timing chain cause an engine to run?
However, driving around with a bad timing chain can cause your engine to run roughly even if it is a non-interference engine. If you suspect that there is an issue with your timing chain or timing chain tensioner it’s best to have the issue fixed before it causes larger issues with your car.
How do you change the timing chain on a water pump?
Remove the belt. Once tension is released, the belt should slide off of the other pulleys easily. Remove the heater hoses from the water pump. If your model has heater hoses attached to the water pump, loosen the hose clamps with a screwdriver and slide them back onto the hose. Wiggle the hose and pull it off of the water pump.
What causes the wear on the timing chain?
It is not that the old oil doesn’t lubricate, particulates that get trapped in the oil that work between the pin/plates will create accelerated wear. In addition to oil change neglect and improper oil usage, using the wrong or low-quality oil filter can also cause accelerated timing chain wear.
What happens when a timing belt or gears fail?
If a timing belt or chain breaks, or the cam drive gears fail, the cam stops turning, the engine loses all compression and the engine stops running.
What should I do to tighten my timing chain?
Tighten the chain according to your car manual’s specifications. Some chains are tensioned by adjusting either the crankshaft gear or the camshaft gear, while others have an automatic tensioner. This will vary by make and model of your car. The important thing is to make sure that your timing belt is as tight as it should be.
Where is the timing chain located in an engine?
The chain is located inside of the engine and needs to be lubricated by the oil in the engine, making oil maintenance important as well. Every time you use the engine, the timing chain is in use. When does a timing chain need to be replaced?
