Timing Chain Replacement - 2005 4.7L V8

[TCRay]

I have a 2005 V8 4.7L. I was told that I need to have the timing chain replaced at 100K. Is that true? The mechanic was not referring to the serpentine belt, but the timing chain.

Having driven cars for years, many with timing chains (not belts), I have never had a chain go bad. I want to make sure that he was correct.

Thank you for any help!

 

[Nelsontacoma]

I have a 2005 V8 4.7L. I was told that I need to have the timing chain replaced at 100K. Is that true? The mechanic was not referring to the serpentine belt, but the timing chain.

Having driven cars for years, many with timing chains (not belts), I have never had a chain go bad. I want to make sure that he was correct.

Thank you for any help!

Just for clarification your 4.7l has a timing belt, not a timing chain. Which does need to be changed at 90k or 5 years according to Toyota. Yours may have been done already based on time, but you never know. Look under the hood for a rectangular white sticker with mileage and dates on it to see for yourself if it's been done.

 

[ebg18t]

As Nelson mentioned the v8 has a belt, the v6 has a chain. If your mechanic wants to replace your chain it may be time to find a new mechanic.

 

[TCRay]

Thank you for the clarification. I may not know a lot about engines, but I have not known a V8 to have a timing belt. It does not appear to have been changed. The vehicle has 116K on the engine, so maybe it's time.

 

[Bob J]

Thank you for the clarification. I may not know a lot about engines, but I have not known a V8 to have a timing belt. It does not appear to have been changed. The vehicle has 116K on the engine, so maybe it's time.

I would certainly consider it..... While I'm sure the Toyota engineers have built in a significant safety margin on the life of the belt, the V8 is an interference engine so if it does go it will do a lot of damage.... The safest bet is to change it before too much longer....

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Thank you for the clarification. I may not know a lot about engines, but I have not known a V8 to have a timing belt. It does not appear to have been changed. The vehicle has 116K on the engine, so maybe it's time.

Most, if not all Domestic V8's have and continue to use chains; I'm not entirely sure why Toyota went with a belt for the 2UZ-FE. But, they've been very reliable and sturdy engines; even when people tend to go past the recommended replacement interval.

But I would recommend trying to stay around the timing belt replacement interval of 9yr/90k, I wouldn't go past about 120k as that seems a bit on the upper end of risky. I personally did my belt at 100k so I could do a nice big major service.

 

[coconutpete]

Yeah .... it has a belt ...... and it's time for a new mechanic if he wants to change a chain.........