When to replace timing chain

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Dec 25, 2004 | 11:19 AM

grease monkey

Thread Starter

Elder User

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 759

Likes: 0

From: Omaha

When to replace timing chain

I was looking all over my owners manual and Chiltons book and I cant find out any thing about the timing chain. I have a 97 Ranger with a 4.0 and I wanted to know if I am suppose to replace the timing chain on this motor or not and when to do so. Thanks

Dec 25, 2004 | 01:17 PM

CowboyBilly9Mile

Post Fiend

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 6,940

Likes: 2

From: Eastern WA

In the case of engines with a chain and not a belt, you would normally replace it if there was a problem. There is no scheduled need to replace timing chains.

Dec 26, 2004 | 05:31 AM

mikemc

Elder User

Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 858

Likes: 0

From: Kentucky

Replace it at time of rebuild unless it begins to cause a problem.

Dec 26, 2004 | 05:52 AM

irazu

Freshman User

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 40

Likes: 0

On a side note and not wanting to hijack this post

Does anyone know why a manufacturer would use a belt over a chain? It must be because of cost or are there any other perfomance considerations with chains.

Belts are such a hassle to replace and can cause so much damage if not done in a timely fashion. Why would you ever use them?

Last edited by irazu; Dec 26, 2004 at 05:58 AM.

Dec 26, 2004 | 08:34 AM

racsan

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 1,980

Likes: 2

From: central ohio

belts are almost always used in overhead cam (ohc) applications. they are usually good for 80-100 thousand miles of service. some are easier to deal with than others. depending on engine design, there is the posibilty of not having any engine damage if one goes. the ranger 2.3 (at least the earlier version of it) is one example of a non-interference engine. on those motors, the valves are recesed into the head a good amount and could be fully open and not hit the piston if the piston would be at t.d.c. thats about all i know on the subject. Dave.

Dec 26, 2004 | 07:02 PM

Ken00

Post Fiend

Joined: Dec 2001

Posts: 10,562

Likes: 4

From: South Jersey

Just to add to this, the 4.0 SOHC has a chain and OHC's.

Dec 26, 2004 | 10:10 PM

Big Jim M

Senior User

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 228

Likes: 0

From: Central Texas

Modern computered engines have for the most part a crankshaft position sensor. When the chain gets some slack in it the CPS tells the computer what is going on and it is accomodiated. With the softer valve springs that are run today the chains last twice as long as they did in the past. It is rare that one goes completely away.
Big JIm