A friend of mine had a timing chain on his Intrepid break, causing serious engine damage. That made me search for the recommended replacement time for the XF chains. I could not find it, I found that someone else had looked for it previously also to no avail.
As I presume this car has valves that will hit the piston if the chain breaks and the fact that I expect some of the earlier models have reached the normal mileage that some cars are supposed to have the chains replaced, I would assume that some chains are quite worn. I would hope that these chains are the better quality roller chain and do have a good life expectancy, but when should they be replaced? I hope that these chains can be replaced by the owner without too much trouble, it is an easy job if you have the correct tools and the time.

Edit: When I say replace chain this means sprockets etc as well. There is no point in doing a half a$$ed job.

 

If I recall they are scheduled at 100K miles. I'll check..

 

I've always thought timing "chains" never had a scheduled change. Timing "belts" on the other hand are typically somewhere around 100K miles, but we have big, beefy, timing chains on our Xfires.

 

I just checked the manual, and there's nothing on the timing chain. I think Cal_Cobra is right.

 

I was under the same impression as Cal_Cobra - timing chains do not need replacing.
Timing belts do need replacing - just like your serpentine belt.
Timing chains do not wear/stretch like a timing belt does - however, belts are usually quieter and cheaper (for the manufacturer) than chains are.
Mustangs have/had chains and they didn't require replacing.

 

Everything wears, my '73 302 cu.in Mustang had a chain that was basically made from pressed steel and rivets, it and the sprockets became so worn that the tensioner could not take up the slack and it jumped teeth on the sprockets.This resulted in some valves hitting the pistons ... ouch!

The chain grows in length when worn and is not stiff, also the sprockets wear away so that the teeth become thinner. I imagine this looseness will affect the timing to some degree and should the chain break at speed the broken chain alone will do severe damage to the engine block casting.

With people spending big bucks on improving the power of the engine, the engine components are stressed even higher, replacing relatively cheap wear items would appear to me to be cheap insurance.

I always say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

 

While I agree with you. There's nothing in our manuals stating it should be replaced. Maybe you should contact Chrysler.

 

As I put about 5,000 miles a year on my XF, I do not think I need to worry for another 12-15 years. By that time, if I am still around, someone will have reminded me by adding a thread and mentioned their chain braking and advising others to replace the chain.

These chains take quite a beating and if Chrysler does not mention it there is no reason for an enthusiast to ignore it, as it will become a problem to some.

We know valves and valve guides will wear but unless we observe smoke and performance loss we will not replace them, but we should not let them get that far. I used to do things like that for fun, these days I do not because they are so bloody hard to get to, the main reason though is because I have got lazy.

 

I've never had a timing chain issue on a Benz engine. Never!
My deisel is at 300K and my Gas 420 is at 140K. A previous 420 was at 180K when i sold it two years ago. It is still running and the current owner has had no issues.
Except for the mods onehundred80 spoke of, I would suggest that proper maintanance and frequent oil changes will suffice.

roadster with a stick

 

Timing belts are normally replaced at 60k miles. I am replacing my chain at 60k also... That is one risk I will never take. I will feel sorry for the person who is doing 80 down the interstate and hears a boom then car shuts off... :S I have been in a car it happened to. Replace a chain or an engine? If anything, I will sleep better at night.

 

I stand corrected.

I ask my MB mechanic relative in Norwich CT ( does me little good here in St Louis). He says at 120K is the recomended service life of the chain.

Apparently I've been very lucky.

And well lubricated.



roadster with a stick

 

you say chain broke on the Intrepid or was it a belt?
Pat

 

Believe the 2.7L has timing chain, 3.2L + 3.5L have timing belts.

 

Our old Camry had a timing belt. I believe the manual said to change it at 80k. It never made sense to me that Toyotas, known for quality, would use belts and not chains.

 

The 1993 3.5L used a belt, the 3.3L used a chain, I have the shop manual. The Intrepid I am talking about is a 2000 model with a 3.2L engine I believe, definitely not a 3.5L

From 1998-2007 all available engines used chains.
Info from the following site.
http://www.allpar.com/mopar/new6.html
See engines for LH series 1998-2007

 

I hope no one has to replace the chain anytime soon. It is a very elaborate process.

If you aren't doing it yourself, start saving now.

 

I have the 2.7L Intrepid and it has 111K on it. I was told that the timing belt should be changed at about 120k. Guess I better consult my mechanic...

 

I believe the 2.7L has a chain and not a belt for all years.