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Replacing Timing Chain

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by mshane, Aug 13, 2014.

  1. Aug 13, 2014 at 10:08 AM
    #1
    mshane

    mshane [OP] Active Member

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    I am going to replace my timing chain since I never have since i bought it. I bought my truck with 53K back in '04 and have never changed the timing chain. I was wondering if there are any videos or illustrations on what needs to come off to make it easier to get to or even an entire video on how to change it out. My father know how to do it but just wanted to research it before i started loosening nuts and bolts.
     
  2. Aug 13, 2014 at 4:56 PM
    #2
    travelfeet

    travelfeet Well-Known Member

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    I have seen several posts that the chain rarely needs to be changed. Is there some indication that you need a new one?
     
  3. Aug 13, 2014 at 6:40 PM
    #3
    ToyoTaco02

    ToyoTaco02 Well-Known Member

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    Why do you want to replace it. Unless it needs replacing for some reason you shouldn't have to touch it.
     
  4. Aug 13, 2014 at 8:56 PM
    #4
    cosmicfires

    cosmicfires Well-Known Member

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    I have never changed a timing chain, the engines I've rebuilt the timing chain was well within spec so I reused it.
     
  5. Aug 14, 2014 at 8:37 AM
    #5
    mshane

    mshane [OP] Active Member

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    my engine is feeling sluggish and it missed at time during take off. Ive changed spark plugs, wires, distributor cap, cleaned the MAF, and a bunch of other stuff. I want to replace it just to be sure its not that.
     
  6. Aug 14, 2014 at 8:50 AM
    #6
    BamaToy1997

    BamaToy1997 Wheel Bearing Master

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    It is not an impossible job, but it does take a bit of time. If you check my profile and find my build thread (Titled restoration) you can see a large number of pictures and information on how to do the timing chain. The 2.4 and 2.7 are identical really. You are looking at an estimated 13 hours of work, so be prepared. With two people working on different areas, you will save some time. Sadly the oil pan has to come off to do the timing chain, as it is required to remove the timing cover, which is sandwiched between the head and the oil pan. Some people try to shortcut this, but usually it ends up having an oil leak. The basic procedure is this (please note that the hyperlinks probably won't work for you):

    1. Remove engine under cover.
    2. Drain engine oil.
    3. Remove drive belt for generator, fan with fluid coupling and water pump pulley.
    4. Remove cylinder head assembly. (Note that you can do the chain without removing the head! But this is the technical process)
    5. w/ A/C: Disconnect A/C compressor and bracket.
    (a) Remove the 4 bolts, and disconnect the compressor from the bracket.
    NOTE: Put aside the compressor, and suspend it.
    (b) Remove the 4 bolts and A/C compressor bracket.
    6. Remove generator, adjusting bar and bracket.
    (a) Disconnect the generator connector.
    (b) Remove the nut, and disconnect the generator wire and wire clip.
    (c) Remove the lock, pivot bolts and the generator.
    (d) Remove the bolt and adjusting bar.
    (e) Remove the 3 bolts and generator bracket.
    7. Remove crankshaft position sensor.
    8. Remove stiffener plates.
    Remove the 8 bolts and stiffener plates.
    9. Remove flywheel housing under cover and dust seal.
    10. Remove oil pan.
    11. Remove oil strainer.
    Remove the bolt, 2 nuts, oil strainer and gasket.
    12. Remove crankshaft pulley.
    13. Remove timing chain cover.
    14. Remove No. 1 timing chain and camshaft timing gear.
    15. Remove crankshaft timing gear.
    16. Remove No. 1 timing chain tensioner slipper and No. 1 vibration damper.
    (a) Remove the bolt and slipper.
    (b) Remove the 2 bolts and No. 1 damper.
    17. Remove crankshaft position sensor rotor.
    18. Remove timing chain oil jet.
    Remove the bolt, oil jet and gasket.

    That is the removal process.
     
    4banga likes this.
  7. Feb 16, 2021 at 5:40 PM
    #7
    derektaco

    derektaco Well-Known Member

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    my 95 3rz 4cyl doesn't seem to have an oil jet... I'm replacing my timing chain and it's says to be sure to install the jet... but boy oh boy it doesn't make sense. I also can't seem to find any info on the timing chain oil jet. I read people talking about it, but what is this thing? any one gotta a link to this elusive part? also AutoZone had no idea, and my research on YouTube and Google, I've found no info on this thing. it's talked about, but I've never laid eyes on it
     
  8. Feb 18, 2021 at 12:01 AM
    #8
    Jeff Lange

    Jeff Lange Well-Known Member

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    As far as the Tacoma goes, the timing chain oil jet only exists on the 2RZ, not on the 3RZ.

    On most 3RZ's the oil jet is integrated into the No.2 timing chain tensioner assembly.

    There are some 3RZ's that use the separate jet (carb'ed 3RZ-F which doesn't have the balance shafts, and some Hilux 3RZ-FE's), but not the 3RZ in the Tacoma.

    Jeff
     
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2021
  9. Feb 18, 2021 at 5:04 AM
    #9
    derektaco

    derektaco Well-Known Member

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    thanks Jeff. that's the answer. i went to toyota yesterday and they weren't sure, but they said I didn't need an isolated jet. yah know, even with all the resources out there, rebuilding for the first time is difficult because of all the different points of views out there. thank you again for answering. :)
     
  10. Feb 18, 2021 at 5:08 AM
    #10
    LoveableWerewolf

    LoveableWerewolf Well-Known Member

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    I'm sure there are youtube videos on it. I'm doing timing chains on a 4g54 mitsubishi motor next week, all motors are easier and harder in different ways. The VQ40 nissan is hell
     
  11. Aug 27, 2023 at 11:20 AM
    #11
    Langing

    Langing Well-Known Member

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    I have a 2000 Tacoma 2.4L 2RZ-FE engine that has an OIL JET. I removed it to check to see if it was clear and then went shopping for a gasket for it. Nobody seems to know anything about that OIL JET or its gasket. Anybody know where I can buy one?
     
  12. Aug 28, 2023 at 10:24 AM
    #12
    O'Silver_Taco

    O'Silver_Taco Well-Known Member

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    Post a couple of pics of what you got....

    IMG_0156xxx.jpg
     
  13. Aug 28, 2023 at 3:25 PM
    #13
    Langing

    Langing Well-Known Member

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    IMG_8300.jpg Got the photos of the “timing chain oil jet” you requested along with photos of the timing chain and the two guides, and watched the “Car Care Nut” fixing the 300,000 Toyota.

    I enjoy “The Car Care Nut”’s YouTube channel, btw. The place in the video you pointed out was where he picked up the timing chain and claimed that since it was still within specs, he wasn’t going to waste the customer’s money by throwing the chain away and using NEW?

    Well, that is truly interesting to me. The vehicle had 300,000 miles on it. My 2000 Tacoma currently has 175,000 miles, far less, and when I measured to see if my chain was within spec, the FSM gave a max measure of a length of 16 links at 5.807” (or something) and my measure was over 6.2”, so I purchased a new chain from Toyota!

    Others on this thread suggest also that new chains are rarely needed, so asap I am going to recheck my measurements. I bought a new chain as well as both sprockets, to make sure I will not be effecting the timing. That’s a lot of money for me, so remeasurement is definitely on my todo.

    Here is the first photos of the “timing chain oil jet.”

    IMG_8299.jpgIMG_8300.jpg

    And the place where the oil jet was mounted on the block.
    IMG_8301.jpg

    It was set to spray oil all over the timing chain as it was running through the inside of the timing chain cover.

    In case you would like to see how the timing chain guides looked after 175 K miles:

    IMG_8303.jpg

    IMG_8305.jpg

    Sorry about the quality. Lastly, the chain, just to show that the yellow links were still yellow, so overheat wasn’t my problem.

    IMG_8309.jpg

    McGeorge Toyota replied with an email telling me that the Timing Chain Oil Jet Gasket was available (but I couldn’t find it) as part number 11496-75011, called “Gasket Oil Hole Cover.”

    So, for anyone interested in knowing why they cannot find information on the Timing Chain Oil Jet, it’s because Toyota calls its’ gasket an OIL HOLE COVER!
     
    Cloud99 likes this.
  14. Aug 28, 2023 at 3:30 PM
    #14
    Jeff Lange

    Jeff Lange Well-Known Member

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    11496-75011 - Gasket, Oil Jet

    Can grab it at a local Toyota dealer or online.

    Jeff
     
  15. Aug 28, 2023 at 3:38 PM
    #15
    O'Silver_Taco

    O'Silver_Taco Well-Known Member

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    Thats a lot of wear on those guides .....most I've seen on a toyota...

    I would replace guides, tensioner, chain, and the sprockets...

    I know that's quite an investment....but its worth it....
     
  16. Aug 28, 2023 at 4:15 PM
    #16
    Langing

    Langing Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the advice. It is appreciated. I have those parts on order already, except for the tensioner. Maybe I will buy a new tensioner as well, since I have a list of four items I still need currently siting in my McGeorge cart. The existing tensioner was pulled and thoroughly cleaned, oiled, and checked for smooth operation. Cleaning and re-oiling doesn't guarantee that the tensioner spring is perfect.

    This order was for all Toyota, or AISIN, parts, so I will know they are working properly at start. Yes, I have made a considerable investment for a 23 year old pickup. Toyota parts, even at on-line so-called "discount" places are very expensive.

    Has anybody else seen timing chains stretching so much?

    BTW: learned that the "harmonic balancer" (crank pulley) has a rubber connection between its inner and outer parts, and there are times (incidents) where the rubber gives such that the inner and outer parts become shifted, in relation, and consequently change the position of the timing mark on the outer rim, leading to incorrect timing when you believe that you have it set perfectly with respect to TDC.
     
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2023
  17. Aug 28, 2023 at 4:21 PM
    #17
    O'Silver_Taco

    O'Silver_Taco Well-Known Member

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    Make sure you give mcgeorge your vin# so they double check part fitment...
    ....thats what your paying for with those guys.....
     
  18. Aug 28, 2023 at 4:23 PM
    #18
    O'Silver_Taco

    O'Silver_Taco Well-Known Member

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    And there is something not right.....those guides should not have anywhere near that much wear.....


    Sometimes people think these Toyota's and lexus's need less tlc....
    run on magic dust or something......
     
  19. Aug 28, 2023 at 4:26 PM
    #19
    Langing

    Langing Well-Known Member

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    I did use the VIN.

    I have to take your word about the guides. That's the first pair that I have ever seen used. I already bought new ones, but still it is good to hear advice from someone who knows.

    And thank you for all the help.
     
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2023
  20. Aug 28, 2023 at 4:30 PM
    #20
    O'Silver_Taco

    O'Silver_Taco Well-Known Member

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    When you get to that point.....start a new thread....and a bunch will jump in there and help you....

    these guys are chomping at the bit....seriously


    Right now there is two guys reheading these engines on current threads here....
    I'd follow em and make it a trio......
     

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