Timing chain

[zookybeanz]

Hey guys I was wondering if anyone knows about the timing chain's function,life and cost to replace it ?
Well i have 1996 nissan sentra(100K miles) and some mechanic told me that it needs to be changed, just by hearing some noise from the hood! And told me that it will take $1100/- to replace it!
Just want to know if that guy is not trying to con me! Any input ????

[SmaartAasSaabr]

Generally a timing chain should be able to last more like 150 000 miles or more. Usually they don't break and kill the engine, just make the performance suffer. On my Mercedes-Benzes, the timing chain isn't considered something that is replaced - you just run it and run it, when the timing changes, you put a woodruff key and keep going for 200, 300, 400, 500 thousand miles!

Considering a '96 Sentra can be had for less than $1000 now a days maybe fixing that isn't such an interesting proposition.

The chain connects the crankshaft and camshaft. It turns the camshaft 1/2 the speed of the crank. Chains stretch over time, which makes the camshaft open and close the valves later than it should. If it jumps or breaks, the camshaft will change alignment dramatically, which could make a valve hit a piston ("interference" type engine) and that basically kills the engine immediately.

It might well be flapping around and making noise, you should go and find out how the system on the Sentra works and then check it yourself. If you have a timing chain tensioner that has a measurement on it, check that. Also feel and hear around the front of the engine (so the belt side not the transmission side) for rattling noises, if you feel something like this on the aluminium/steel whatever timing cover over the chain, then likely the chain is causing the noise.

[Audi Quattro]

that is the worth of your car. I dont its really as much as $1100 to change it on that car. i think its too much.

[Kremithefrog]

Timing chains are almost never replaced. Tensioners can wear out.
Timing belts on the other hand...

[RadarRick]

That's a bit rich. Try another mechenic or two :shock:
RR

[aust3333]

Hey guys I was wondering if anyone knows about the timing chain's function,life and cost to replace it ?
Well i have 1996 nissan sentra(100K miles) and some mechanic told me that it needs to be changed, just by hearing some noise from the hood! And told me that it will take $1100/- to replace it!
Just want to know if that guy is not trying to con me! Any input ????

Ah, he's at least $500 too rich on that price. Run my friend, run far away and get another estimate.

[zookybeanz]

Thanx guys.....I will get another estimate. :?