QuestionQUESTION: I have 167K miles on my Intrepid. I am thinking it is time to have the timing chain replaced before it breaks. Good idea, and if so, what might that cost?
ANSWER: Hi Tom,
Timing chains don't have a recommended lifetime so I wouldn't unnecessarily replace it if it shown no signs of potential breakage. It is not a simple job, but I can't give you a cost estimate. Let me know the year and engine (L) and I can look at the procedure and tell you what is involved. Or does your engine have a timing belt, in which case the mileage would suggest considering replacement. The 2.7 has chains, the 3.2/3.5 has belts.
Roland
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QUESTION: It is a 2.7L. My concern is that it has over 160K miles and as I understand it, should i break, it will cause all sorts of damage. My thought was, preventative maintenance. I have used synthetic oil for most of the car's life in hopes to extend its life, and so far, so good. At that number of miles, would it be a good idea to replace it before it has a chance to break?
AnswerHi Tom,
I haven't heard of timing chain failures on that engine, or any other one that I can recall. You might inquire at an engine rebuilding shop to see what they say about the probability of the main chain breaking. There are also two secondary chains. My inclination would be to leave well enough alone. There are so many possible pitfalls in doing the job I would be inclined to believe that the chances are greater that replacing the chain will cause a problem than of the chain failing.
Roland
