Timing chain replacement

[the_dingman]

It's getting to be time to do my timing chain, sitting at 209k and I have no records of any maintenance.... I can tell the chain is wearing out, as my timing is off a bit and I seem to hear a bit of a light grinding noise from the engine.

Question is, what should I all replace with the timing chain? Should I do the head gasket while I'm at it? I know my compression is good, but I'm not sure if it's worth it when everything is already apart...

What else gets replaced, what is a good kit to go with? I know I want something with the metal guides...

 

[fourwd1]

If you have no reason to, don't even think about messing with the HG.
You don't pull the head to do the TC, so why tear all that apart?

As for as what else to replace while the TC is apart, the oil and water pumps are a no brainer, and belts and hoses. Of course the TC cover too if the TC is wearing a hole into it.

As for where to get the parts, engnbldr.com !

 

[oldskoolvws]

I just finished mine for the 1st time. I got the kit from ENGBLDR (Ebay). Changed everything for the timing chain as well as the belts and hoses. While I was in there, I changed the brushes on my alternator (changed from 13V to 16V) and changed to an ENGBLDR cam (268) with new LCE rocker arm valve adjusters and nuts. I also dropped the oil pan to clean it out and get out any broken pieces from the guides (there were lots). That was a challenge. Had to unbolt the motor mounts and lift up the engine, but it came out. Added a Fram oil pan gasket too. If you do that, put the timing cover back on first then the oil pan. Make sure you have enough room to get the pan back on or if it's a 4x4, put the pan back over the axle first or you'll have issues. I also threw on a new LCE header and new valve cover gasket and nuts. Also changed all the typical tune-up stuff like filters, plugs, wires, etc.

By far what took the longest was cleaning off all the grease and grime of the parts and me after 22 years of service even after I power washed before starting this job.

Started right up when I was done. Adjusted the timing and now working on breaking in the cam and will probably do a Seafoam job today or tomorrow. As an old VW guy I swear by the Bentley Service manuals. I was able to locate a Bentley Manual for my 4Runner and it did not disappoint.

 

[the_dingman]

I want to have a spare timing cover in case mine is damaged from the chain. I know cheap aftermarket parts can be dangerous, what do you guys think of this vendor and part?

http://www.store.partsdinosaur.com/product31.html

 

[oldskoolvws]

That's the same one in the ENGBLDR kit and it went on with no problems and fitment was dead on. All the products in the ENGBLDR kit were D & J Rock products and they seem to be good quality and fitment is spot on.

 

[the_dingman]

ENGBLDR has a 'timing chain kit' in their 'build-a-kit'... Any idea what's included?

So far my list of things I need:

- Timing chain kit (chain, guides, tentioner, cover gasket)
- valve cover gasket
- Replacement chain cover (in case it's gamaged)
- New water pump
- New oil pump
- New belts

What else might I need?

 

[oldskoolvws]

This is the kit I got from ENGBLDR: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOYO...4c5df7&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72:1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

It had everything in it (gaskets too) except the belts and hoses I changed. I also dropped the oil pan so I needed a gasket.

P.S. Did you get my reply via IM? I'm still trying to figure that whole system out but I do need that part.

 

[the_dingman]

Can someone else tell me if this kit is worth it? I'm worried about reliability as this is less than half what I expected to spend...

Other than a valve cover gasket, and oil pan gasket if I drop the pan... is there ANYTHING else I need?

 

[ovrrdrive]

Engnbldr sells quality stuff. Be sure to get one of his kits with the steel drivers side timing guide. That way you'll never have a timing failure due to a shattered guide like I did.

You'll probably find it much easier to pull the head when you do the job. My timing cover wouldn't go back on without crushing the gasket and even after it crushed it I still couldn't get it on the upper dowels. I bought another top end gasket kit and tore everything back down and pulled the head and everything went back together like it was supposed to. I see people all the time say to not pull the head and I think it's silly to half ass an entire job because you want to save an hour of work. Do it once, do it right. The FSM calls for pulling it too.

If your guides are broken you definitely want to pull the pan too and clean it out. It isn't easy to do but the method above worked for me too.

Use quality gaskets and seal everything...

 

[the_dingman]

I've got a friend who's a very good professional mechanic who'll be helping me out, or more or less doing the job for me. As far as the head gasket, I can understand the idea of not messing with it if it's not broken. Based on the condition of my engine and the milage, I have to assume the HG has been done before, so I think I'm going to wait on it.

I just wanted to know that these are not junk parts that won't last me.

Thanks!

 

[03vrod]

Well I know it's an old post just wondering how it went and whether you did the head gasket

 

[the_dingman]

This thread got restarted in a new one, I did finish the chain, and did not need to do the head gasket. Details after the jump:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=52359

 

[Vern]

I just finished mine for the 1st time. I got the kit from ENGBLDR (Ebay). Changed everything for the timing chain as well as the belts and hoses. While I was in there, I changed the brushes on my alternator (changed from 13V to 16V) and changed to an ENGBLDR cam (268) with new LCE rocker arm valve adjusters and nuts. I also dropped the oil pan to clean it out and get out any broken pieces from the guides (there were lots). That was a challenge. Had to unbolt the motor mounts and lift up the engine, but it came out. Added a Fram oil pan gasket too. If you do that, put the timing cover back on first then the oil pan. Make sure you have enough room to get the pan back on or if it's a 4x4, put the pan back over the axle first or you'll have issues. I also threw on a new LCE header and new valve cover gasket and nuts. Also changed all the typical tune-up stuff like filters, plugs, wires, etc.

By far what took the longest was cleaning off all the grease and grime of the parts and me after 22 years of service even after I power washed before starting this job.

Started right up when I was done. Adjusted the timing and now working on breaking in the cam and will probably do a Seafoam job today or tomorrow. As an old VW guy I swear by the Bentley Service manuals. I was able to locate a Bentley Manual for my 4Runner and it did not disappoint.

Are you for hire? I pay in Roses but the companys great!

 

[03vrod]

Glad to hear it went well.Mine has a ticking sound but the engine only has 40k since dealership installed rebuilt shortblock and reworked head.Previous owner paid almost 5 grand for this service in 01 .I can't believe the it's bad already.