2011 2.7 L Manual 4x4 - 140k - Timing Chain Replacement

While having a bunch of work done (suspension, water pump, and valve cover gasket) my mechanic has told me they see excessive wear on the timing chain and sprockets.

I've read up on old posts and it seems like its exceedingly rare for these to need replacement at this mileage. As I understand it they usually go well over 200k with no issues.

Now, I trust my mechanic, been going to them for years and never had a problem, always fair prices. But is there something they are getting wrong here? Considering how much work is involved it's looking like this will be about a 2k repair, maybe more.

Has anyone else had this repair come up?

 

That seems odd. If you've kept up with your oil changes and don't hear any excessive noise coming from the engine; I'd say its fine. Here's a good thread regarding timing chains on the 2.7L.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2005-tacoma-timing-chain-replacement-2-7.357418/

 

That's what I'm thinking.

There has always been a bit of grumbling from the engine at idle. But in reading through the forums it seems like that is normal. No new noises and nothing I would call excessive. There is a chain cover leak as mentioned in that post. But it is weap, very very minimal.

Oil changes every 3000-5000 miles since I bought it with 85k. Before that I'm not too sure but it was super clean.

I read through that thread earlier! Seems like an absolute nightmare of a job. Hence my concern about the cost.

 

Heres how the guides on mine looked with 120k miles for a reference. You can see very slight wear marks on them. If it was me id ask to see what he’s talking about and make that call yourself on whether or not you want to replace them. I didnt change mine and ive put 15k on the motor since this pic was taken. If you do decide to replace, i highly recommend using all toyota parts. To remove the timing cover is a big job, so you really only want to do this once

 

Yeah, That looks like the kind of wear I would expect.

They just had the valve cover off. He explained that there was visible wear on the chain and sprockets. My thought is, if there is a problem, that it may be one of the tensioners malfunctioning, allowing the chain to be loose and causing premature wear of the chain and gears. Does anyone know what signs/sounds I might hear if this were happening.

I only ever use OEM, don't need convincing there.

I'm going to the shop tomorrow in person and will hopefully get a more thorough explanation. I may take it to another shop for evaluation but don't know where and don't know that it's worth the $$.

 

Usually when timing components get worn or malfunction the first sign is a loud rattle (until oil pressure comes up) on the first start of the day and/or a check engine light with a cam crank correlation code.
If they get severely worn they may make noise at idle but usually by then there will be timing codes popping up.

 

Button her back up and drive that Bitch

 

Dm93 - Got it. Went to youtube and listened to that noise. Never heard anything like that. Doesn't mean they're not right, but no rattle on cold start. Would there be other symptoms, like timing wise, that would be audible/perceptible?

Steves104x4 - Lol, yes, but it's an interference engine so if its snaps I'm f#*ked.

 

did they send you a quick video showing and explaining

it's not that hard

 

Steves104x4 - Yeah Thats where my head's at. Although probably just another 2.7, I don't have a place to do the work myself.

TacoTuesday1 - No, they didn't send a video, the head guys there are both older and I didn't ask for a video until after they had buttoned it up.

I picked it up today and spoke to the owner about it. He said its not critical, that the chain is a bit loose and the sprockets are visibly worn. I think since its not time critical, I'm gonna roll with it for a while and either pop the valve cover off and take a look (and video) or have another shop take a look.

Even if it is bad, I'm tempted just to let it go for now. The labor for that repair is as much or more than a simple engine swap. I think I'd rather put a low mileage engine in it. 2.5-3 k for an engine and the truck has a huge amount of life left. Who knows, maybe the chain won't rear its ugly head.

Thoughts appreciated and input up to this point appreciated.

 

Thinking I'm going to take the truck into the dealer near me and ask them to inspect the timing chain since they are familiar with the engine and tolerances. I really don't want to diving into work if its not necessary. I'll ask for a video and post up here if possible.