Timing Chain Replacement Interval

JeffG · 10-11-2006, 12:28 PM

I called Toyota a little while ago with this question: What is the interval for changing the timing belt?

It's the wrong question of course since it is a timing belt and not a chain.

In spite of that, I was given the standard answer of 90,000 miles or 6 years.

I ain't buying that. Has anyone been able to get an official and realistic answer to this question from Toyota?

If not, what are your suggestions? I have 115,000 miles on my 2004 and want to believe I don't need to change the chain. Hell, I'm still running on the original brakes.

Beryl Octet · 10-11-2006, 12:48 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JeffG @ Oct 11 2006, 12:28 PM) [snapback]331184[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I called Toyota a little while ago with this question: What is the interval for changing the timing belt?

It's the wrong question of course since it is a timing belt and not a chain.

In spite of that, I was given the standard answer of 90,000 miles or 6 years.

I ain't buying that. Has anyone been able to get an official and realistic answer to this question from Toyota?

If not, what are your suggestions? I have 115,000 miles on my 2004 and want to believe I don't need to change the chain. Hell, I'm still running on the original brakes.
[/b]

I tend to follow the manufacturer's suggestions, I believe this engine is an interference type, i.e., the belt breaks, the valves and pistion attempt to violate one of the laws of physics... I'd go ahead and change it now, unless you are almost ready to sell the car. I'm kidding about that last part, btw.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Beryl Octet @ Oct 11 2006, 12:47 PM) [snapback]331194[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I tend to follow the manufacturer's suggestions, I believe this engine is an interference type, i.e., the belt breaks, the valves and pistion attempt to violate one of the laws of physics... I'd go ahead and change it now, unless you are almost ready to sell the car. I'm kidding about that last part, btw.
[/b]

I know how to spell piston, but my typing goes to crap after I read the bit about no edits.

ekpolk · 10-11-2006, 01:42 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JeffG @ Oct 11 2006, 11:28 AM) [snapback]331184[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I called Toyota a little while ago with this question: What is the interval for changing the timing belt?

It's the wrong question of course since it is a timing belt and not a chain.

In spite of that, I was given the standard answer of 90,000 miles or 6 years.

I ain't buying that. Has anyone been able to get an official and realistic answer to this question from Toyota?

If not, what are your suggestions? I have 115,000 miles on my 2004 and want to believe I don't need to change the chain. Hell, I'm still running on the original brakes.
[/b]

Your second line is, I think, backwards. Given your last statement, I'm assuming you're aware it is a chain in the 1NZ. If there's any lingering doubt, here's a snip-out from the first step in the chain replacement procedure:

Since you apparently asked the "belt" question, I'd assess the answer as worthless with respect to a Prius. I wouldn't worry about the chain unless you've got some indication that it's damaged.

JeffG · 10-11-2006, 01:44 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ekpolk @ Oct 11 2006, 12:42 PM) [snapback]331229[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Since you apparently asked the "belt" question, I'd assess the answer as worthless with respect to a Prius. I wouldn't worry about the chain unless you've got some indication that it's damaged.
[/b]

What indication of damage would there be?

Ari · 10-11-2006, 01:49 PM

I'd be surprised if you ever have to change this part! That's the whole point of a gear or chain driven timing design: it should last the life of the vehicle.

Dealers like to say something rather than saying "I don't know." When we were shopping for our Honda Odyssey, the sales lady said "... and it doesn't have a timing belt so you never need to change it." That of course is false as I found out when I looked at the maintenance schedule. (apologies to galaxee in advance : not all dealers are shady)

FBear · 10-11-2006, 01:50 PM

You know the chain is going when you try and do a tune up. Plugs and adjust timing and it runs like cr*p. The chain has probably stretched and skipped a couple of teeth so the engine will run rough.

JeffG · 10-11-2006, 01:51 PM

Tune up a Prius?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FBear @ Oct 11 2006, 12:50 PM) [snapback]331235[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

You know the chain is going when you try and do a tune up. Plugs and adjust timing and it runs like cr*p. The chain has probably stretched and skipped a couple of teeth so the engine will run rough.
[/b]

ekpolk · 10-11-2006, 02:36 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JeffG @ Oct 11 2006, 12:44 PM) [snapback]331230[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

What indication of damage would there be?
[/b]

Sometimes they will rattle noticeably. This is a common issue with the Nissan/Infiniti VQ series V-6. I owned a G35 that had occasional bouts with rattle on startup. In my case, it was caused by the slight delay in oil pressure to the chain tensioning mechanism. In that context, if it goes away within a couple seconds, it's not indicative of a problem. OTOH, if your chain is stretched (or perhaps it has a damaged link or two), you may hear constant or frequent rattling. In the case of a stretched chain, the rattling is likely the result of the chain tensioning mechanism being unable to keep the now-too-long chain at proper tension.

All this said, I doubt the 1NZ will have much trouble with its chain, at least I've never heard of this. Chain rattle is one of those things about which there is little mystery when it appears. If you have it, you'll know it. It sounds pretty much like, well, a rattling chain. You won't have to stand there with a technician eying you with that "what asylum did you escape from" look, while you ask, "did you hear that...did you hear that?"

Beryl Octet · 10-11-2006, 02:42 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ekpolk @ Oct 11 2006, 01:42 PM) [snapback]331229[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Your second line is, I think, backwards. Given your last statement, I'm assuming you're aware it is a chain in the 1NZ. If there's any lingering doubt, here's a snip-out from the first step in the chain replacement procedure:

Since you apparently asked the "belt" question, I'd assess the answer as worthless with respect to a Prius. I wouldn't worry about the chain unless you've got some indication that it's damaged.
[/b]

Thanks, I just assumed everything had a belt these days.

ekpolk · 10-11-2006, 02:55 PM

No sweat. Car makers seem to be drifting back toward the chain designs. Another example is the xGR series V-6s which appear in the 4-Runner/Taco (1GR) and the Camry/Avalon/ES350 (2GR) -- they've gone chain too. I'm guessing that the belt designs created two classes of unhappy customers, those who didn't like the high cost of periodically replacing the belts, and those who didn't like the cost of failing to periodically replace the belts.

10-11-2006, 01:49 PM	#5
Ari Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 165 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I'd be surprised if you ever have to change this part! That's the whole point of a gear or chain driven timing design: it should last the life of the vehicle. Dealers like to say something rather than saying "I don't know." When we were shopping for our Honda Odyssey, the sales lady said "... and it doesn't have a timing belt so you never need to change it." That of course is false as I found out when I looked at the maintenance schedule. (apologies to galaxee in advance : not all dealers are shady) __________________ 2006 #1 Magnetic grey

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10-11-2006, 12:28 PM	#1
JeffG Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Middle Tennessee USA Posts: 94 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I called Toyota a little while ago with this question: What is the interval for changing the timing belt? It's the wrong question of course since it is a timing belt and not a chain. In spite of that, I was given the standard answer of 90,000 miles or 6 years. I ain't buying that. Has anyone been able to get an official and realistic answer to this question from Toyota? If not, what are your suggestions? I have 115,000 miles on my 2004 and want to believe I don't need to change the chain. Hell, I'm still running on the original brakes.

10-11-2006, 01:50 PM	#6
FBear Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Maplewood, NJ Posts: 274 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	You know the chain is going when you try and do a tune up. Plugs and adjust timing and it runs like cr*p. The chain has probably stretched and skipped a couple of teeth so the engine will run rough.

10-11-2006, 02:55 PM	#10
ekpolk The Regenerator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pensacola FL Posts: 363 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	No sweat. Car makers seem to be drifting back toward the chain designs. Another example is the xGR series V-6s which appear in the 4-Runner/Taco (1GR) and the Camry/Avalon/ES350 (2GR) -- they've gone chain too. I'm guessing that the belt designs created two classes of unhappy customers, those who didn't like the high cost of periodically replacing the belts, and those who didn't like the cost of failing to periodically replace the belts.