Do You Need To Replace A Timing Chain?

Your car’s engine has many internal moving parts that need to stay in sync with each other to allow the engine to function properly. Timing chains make sure that all of the moving parts stay in sync so that parts don’t collide with each other and damage the internals of your engine. But is a timing chain the same as a timing belt? And do you need to replace a timing chain like a timing belt?

So do you need to replace a timing belt? Most vehicle manufactures say timing chains will last the lifetime of an engine. Typically timing chains only need to be replaced if there is something wrong with them that could cause the moving parts of the engine to get out of sync with each other.

But how do you know if there is something wrong with your timing chain?  Is a timing chain the same thing as a timing belt? What happens if your timing chain breaks?

What Does A Timing Chain Do?

Your car’s engine is made up of many moving parts that have to stay in sync with each other to work properly. A timing chain makes sure that the parts of your engine (the pistons and piston valves) stay in sync with each other.

That way the internals don’t collide with each other and damage the internals of the engine. That’s why it’s important that your timing chain is working properly.

What Is A Timing Chain? Is It the same as a Timing Belt?

Timing chains use metal links that are connected with each other to form a metal chain similar to the one that you would see on a bicycle.

A timing chain is similar to a timing belt in that it works to keep the moving parts of your engine in sync with each other so that they don’t collide with each other and ruin the internals of your engine.

The job of timing belts is very similar to timing chains but timing belts are made from rubber rather than steel that would comprise the links of a timing chain.

This means that timing chains will last longer than timing belts because metal timing chains will resist stretching over time more than a rubber timing belt.

To learn more about timing chains and timing belts and how they work inside of your engine check out the Youtube video below.

How Long Should a New Timing Chain Last?

Most vehicle manufacturers say that the timing chain should last the lifetime of an engine. Since engines made today are designed to last way over 100,000 miles (there are some cars where their engines last 1 million miles).

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.

In this rare case then you actually would need to replace your timing chain as the timing chain would not be able to maintain the proper timing of your engine.

Can a Timing Chain Break?

Yes, a timing chain can break but they are less likely to break than a timing belt. A timing chain is made of steel links connected together, but over time these metal links can weaken and break.

Usually, if you have issues with your timing chain the issues are related to the timing chain tensioner which is designed to keep tension on your timing chain.

If the timing chain stretches and is no longer held tight against the rotating gears of your camshafts it can skip a tooth on the rotating gears and cause the timing of your engine to be thrown off.

Since the rotating parts of your engine need to be in sync to work properly if the timing chain gets out of sync this can cause issues with the operation of your engine and can cause engine damage if the engine is left out of sync long enough.

Can A Broken Timing Chain Damage Your Engine?

There are two types of engine configurations that can determine if your engine will be damaged if the timing of the engine is thrown off. These two engine configurations are called non-interference and interference.

A non-interference engine means that even if the timing of the engine is thrown off the moving parts won’t collide with each other.

With an interference engine if the timing chain breaks and the timing of the engine is thrown off there is a chance that the piston and valves of the engine could collide with each other.

When this happens the engine would need to be rebuilt or replaced as the valves would be bent and there would likely be damage to the piston heads.

What Are the Symptoms of A Bad Timing Chain?

Can You Drive a Car With A Bad Timing Chain?

An engine with a bad timing chain should not be driven if you have an interference engine. With an interference engine, the internals of your engine can collide if the timing chain breaks which means that your engine will need to be replaced.

If you have a non-interference engine it’s not as big of a deal to drive around with a bad timing chain. Because if your timing chain breaks your engine will shut down but no engine damage will occur. You’d just need to replace the timing chain at that point.

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 Much Does It Cost To Replace A Timing Chain?

Replacing the timing chain on a car is not an easy job which means you likely need to have a mechanic replace your timing chain for you. The replacement timing chain itself is fairly cheap. You can pick up a replacement timing chain for around $100-$200.

However to get the timing chain installed you have to disassemble part of the engine to remove the old timing chain and install the new one which takes time.

You also have to ensure that the new timing chain is installed properly and that the timing of the engine is still in sync, that process can take hours to complete. Which is why a mechanic will charge you anywhere from $400-$1000 to replace a timing chain on a car.

What Happens If Your Timing Chain Stretches?

If your timing chain gets stretched out this can allow your timing chain to skip a tooth on your camshaft gears which will cause the timing of your engine to get out of whack.

Once your timing chain gets stretched out it’s best to go ahead and replace it as it will have more slack in it than a brand new one would and it’s likely that your timing chain is old and could be close to breaking.

Usually, problems with the timing chain tensioner or engine oil levels will cause the timing chain to stretch. That’s why it’s also a good idea to inspect the timing chain tensioner for problems if you think there is an issue with the timing of your engine.

Timing Chain Tensioner Issues

Your timing chain is designed to have pressure applied to the timing chain to keep any slack out of the timing chain. This ensures that the timing chain doesn’t skip any teeth as it’s rotating along with the internals of your engine.

Timing chain tensioners can go bad over time and allow slack to develop which can then allow the timing chain to become loose and skip teeth causing the timing of the engine to be thrown off.

Can You Tighten A Timing Chain?

Timing chains can be adjusted to either loosen or tighten the timing chain so that it runs smoothly along with the timing chain tensioner.

Too much pressure is applied to the timing chain can be just as bad as allowing slack in the timing chain which is why adjustments can be made to either apply more pressure to the timing chain or allow more slack in certain areas.

Related Questions

Is it worth replacing a timing chain? If your mechanic thinks that your timing chain needs to be replaced then it’s definitely something you should consider.

You may want to take your car to multiple mechanics just to make sure that you actually have a problem with your timing chain.

That way you can get multiple mechanics opinions and ensure that the first mechanic wasn’t trying to sell you on something you didn’t need to have done.

How long does it take to replace a timing chain? Replacing a timing chain requires taking off the front of the engine to be able to access the timing chain.

The old timing chain would then need to be removed. Then a new timing chain would need to be installed and the timing checked to ensure that the timing belt was installed correctly.

For a novice, this process could take half the day if you don’t have the proper tools but a mechanic should be able to replace a timing chain in a few hours.

Will my check engine light come on for a bad timing chain? Yes, if your engine is not running right and you’re the timing of the engine is off your car will flash a check engine light on the dash.

To determine if there is a problem with your timing chain you’d need to hook up an OBDII scanner to your car or take your car to a mechanic to have them diagnose the problem.

Can low oil cause a timing chain to break? Operating your engine with low oil can cause your timing chain to stretch over time. If left long enough the extra strain on your timing chain can cause it to break.