01 timing chain replacement

[Mike Sebastionelli]

I have done some searching around the site but was unable to find anything about anyone attempting to replace the timing cassettes. I have an 01 job 1 4X4 that has had the timing rattle. I switched to thicker oil and it went away. Now I'm at 170k and its back as well as a check engine light. Took it to the dealership and they said the timing chain needs replaced and that I am getting that error code becasue the engine wont keep timing becasue the chain is shot. they qouted me 1300 for the replacement. Has anyone done this themselves successfully? From what I can tell it requires special tools and a good amount of time. Any suggestions?

 

[H D]

$1,300 is surely only if they have to do the front one. I bet you they get it torn into and tell you that the rear one needs replaced as well. Then you're looking at around $2,800. Then you're into engine replacement prices.



I've seen a great writeup before on this job and that was enough to tell me that I will just let this engine run until it shoots something though the block and then I'll replace it. I love working on vehicles, but not that much.

 

[Ed Fenwick]

Aloha Mike,

Hind site I know, but I wouldn't have put in the thick oil unless you let it warm up well every time. The dealer here said that they have never heard of the chain letting go so I just run mine. Did you try a new tentioner? That may take up the slack in the loose chain.

 

[John G]

I remember reading a description of replacing the cassettes in the front and back. Maybe it was on this forum.



It wasn't a very detailed description, but it was enough to scare me away -- I am happy to do brake jobs and the like, but nothing much heavier than that, and this was a job that was way beyond my comfort zone.

 

[John G]

delete duplicate post

 

[scott degroot]

Like Hugh said the $1300 is only for the front chains. With that kind of mileage all the chains need to be replaced and to do that the engine has to come out. Book time to do all the chains is just shy of 20 hours and once you figure in parts your looking to be in the $2500 range. Special tools are required to set up the timing on these engines....there is no way around it and if you have never done this kind of work before this isn't the one you want to get started with. The last one of these that I did took me about 2 work days to complete but I also replaced every seal and gasket that was on the engine while it was out.

 

[swshawaii]

Very comprehensive link with pics:

 

[EddieS'04]

Wow Steve with that link. I think if the $$ is there. I will just buy a long block from supper six motors.

I had an Idea of the work but not that much.

I have a motorhead uncle and his b-inlaw. told me not to buy a 4.0L sohc..LOL

 

[Phil Frady]

My Timing Chain jumped a tooth(or 2) when I hit 189K miles. I had it towed to the dealer. They called me the next day and told me exactly what I thought it was and gave me some options. I could have the cassetts replaced for $3300 and they would give me 12months/12k mile warranty, I could get a long block replacement for $5300 and that included 36month/36K mile warranty. Both of those options required the engine to be removed. The last option was I could trade the vehicle in, which they quoted me $500 for my 2001 ST. I opted for the long block replacement and I am glad I did. 18K miles after I got it back, the block started spraying coolant from under the intake manifold and eventually quit running by the time I got off the freeway. After 2weeks of waiting it out, I got another block installed and I believe this one is far better then the oringinal block from factory.



As a side note, I always wait till it completely fails before replacing, but, when it failed the 1st time, it was a very bad time for me to deal with this because my wife was in the hospital. Just be prepared when it fails.