Timing Chain

[PaulT]

How hard is this to do? Seems to be pretty straight forward according to the Hayne's guys, but i know it can be an expensive job to have a mechanic do for a $66 part. Is the extra $$$ just because of the disassembling/assembling of the front clip, radiator and water pump (which will also be replaced at the same time)?

My skills are so-so, i can't rebuild an engine, but i'm pretty good at following directions and putting things back where i found them.

[johnsxj]

It's time consuming more than anything else.
You'll need a harmonic balancer puller and installer (loan a tool at most part stores).
Any particular reason you're replacing it?

[PaulT]

I was talking to a guy whose buick (or pontiac, can't remember now) was making the exact same noise. He was told by his mechanic that it was the timing chain. Seems like a good bet to me.

I had a nissan sentra that had to be junked because i couldn't afford to replace the timing chain, don't want that to happen again.

[johnsxj]

Well the timing chain on a Jeep 4.0 is way easier than on a Nissan GA16DE (managed to do it without pulling the head like the books say you have to)

A mechanic likes that kind of job 'cause it's lots of shop time to do!!!!!

You gonna be at the Go Topless Day? I can take a listen to it and see if it's really that.

[Eve]

Hey Paul, sounds like it's worth taking a ride up just for that!!

[ZAEDOCK]

I was talking to a guy whose buick (or pontiac, can't remember now) was making the exact same noise. He was told by his mechanic that it was the timing chain. Seems like a good bet to me.

I had a nissan sentra that had to be junked because i couldn't afford to replace the timing chain, don't want that to happen again.

What kind of noise is it making? Jeep timing chains are typically bulletproof and usually last the life of the engine (200K+ miles). I would investigate other possibilities. If I could hear the noise, I'd probably be able to help you.

Also, depending on the age of your buddy's Pontiac, it may have nylon timing gears. Yep, nylon!

[DDewar53]

Yeah, I remember those nylon timing sprockets. They kept me in business when I was running that parts store. Thank you, GM