205,000mi on 22RE, time to replace timing chain?

ERIK · 29 Jul 2011, 01:09 am

So I've been looking to "freshen up" my 22RE on my pickup since it is 25 years old. Since the timing chain and guides are usually the first to go, I've wanted to replace them with either a DOA or engnbldr set.

I've talked to my local mechanic who is also a good family friend and he said "if it's not making noise, don't mess with it and you could screw up the head gasket." But the whole point of replacing it is to prevent failure, right? My other friend (who has a very nice crawler and knows a whole lot about Toyotas) said to replace it rather soon and he could even do it.

So should I listen to my more mechanically inclined friend and replace everything ASAP or wait until the inevitable failure?

DarkHind · 29 Jul 2011, 01:24 am

205K on stock timing chain is a great run. Though timing chains are known to be lifetime 205K does seem pretty high and if your planning to keep your rig for a while then yes you should probably change it just in case of wear. Putting 25 years and 205K the timing chain probably does have alot of wear. Replace everything and it should be running as good as new.

a_ninja_racer25 · 29 Jul 2011, 01:39 am

If you have the money now to do the work then go a head and do it. Better to do it when you have the money than to wait around for it to break when you don't have the money. Now I'm not very experienced with the 22re motor I do know that they are Darn near bullet proof. I used to work at a nissan dealer ship and there are some chain guides in the nisan 4 bangers that were considered wear items that needed to be replaced so just make sure in advance that you have all the parts you need before tearing into it.

Eric P · 29 Jul 2011, 01:54 am

They used to recommend changing the 22RE timing chain at around 90,000 miles.

While it's true that it probably won't break, it is possible for it to stretch and if it becomes too loose, it can start wearing away at the coolant passage in the timing cover. It can also skip a tooth or two on the cogs which is not something you want to risk on an interference engine.

205,000mi on 22RE, time to replace timing chain?

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