2rz-fe timing chain

hello all. I'm just curious if anyone has done a timing chain in their 2rz or 3rz 4cyl Tacoma engines?
I went to adjust a few valves right in min. Spec and found my chain guide cracked... Bummer
You know once you know your vehicle has a problem it will let go soon but if you never knew it would go for ever. So any how I've committed to doing the chain guides gears and reseal the oil pan too while I'm at it.

I just wonder for those of you that have done it, what was your mileage interval and how bad off were your components?

I've got 244000 glorious miles on the clock. My gears and chain are visibly worn and as I said my guide cracked and actually missing a chunk at the bottom toward the crank. She ran like a champ, god I love this old truck best pickup ever in my opinion.

Truck on fellas!

 

I've never done mine but it might be a good idea. Can't imagine with 265K mine would be any better.

 

Timing chains aren't one of the things that have a regular replacement interval. Toyota doesn't even mention them in their scheduled maintenance guides.

It's normally a lifetime part.

That's not to say they don't wear out or fail, but it's not like the timing belts on the v6's that get replaced about every 90k.

Good that you noticed an issue before the chain let go, as that would grenade your motor. Replace it for sure.

I had an 86 4Runner with over 300k on the ticker, and I took it apart hoping to fix a head gasket, and the chain/guides were in near perfect condition, which is surprising how much I beat on that truck...

 

Its the guides that kill these motors. Toyota used plastic guides in the 22RE and pieces of it coming apart helped contribute to us having a semi-rebuild done on our pickup at only 160k. Not surprised they kept that crummy design for the 2RZ and 3RZ.

 

Doing the chain/guides on a 4 cylinder kind of sucks, but luckily for you at least your truck isn't 4wd, you've got to tear the whole engine down basically, valve cover, oil pan, front accessory drive, radiator, it all has to come apart, then you can get that timing cover off. Once you're in there it's simple, you just have one chain on 2 gears to worry about, just make sure all the marks line up right.

 

It's easier to just pull the engine and do it on an engine stand. Took me maybe half a morning to pull my engine out

 

I may be looking at doing my timing chain/guides soon too. I haven't pulled the valve cover off to confirm but I have some ugly noises up front...Gonna check the valves while I'm at it. I'm at 180k.

Was thinking about being lazy so you wanna know what the dealership quoted to do both of those?! $2,300! Hell no!

 

Agreed, if you have the room and ability definitely pull the engine.

 

JBrandt, I know.. Thats why I was a bit bummed out when I figured out the guides were falling apart, if it wasn't for that I'd be driving it right now. Funny enough the thing that upset me the most was the fact I had to bust the head off of it. Something in me was proud that engine has never wanted anything in 244K.

Ireymon and tony2018, thats why I call them the stealership!! Thats part of why I'm tearing my engine down at the house in the heat of north carolina.. I love my truck but not enough to pay that much for some service.

I am honestly excited to see what it feels like after seeing how much the timing chain guides and gears were worn. That and I had the head cut, I know it wont be huge gains but I think I'll notice something.. Maybe.. Maybe it will just be a placebo effect lol!

 

It's ok, me and my bro always order parts online. Unfortunately no my gunny but we manage.

 

Hey, I'm in NC too! I'm in Winston. This is my daily driver and we don't have a third vehicle so I'll probably have to do this over a couple weekends. First round - take off valve cover, check valve clearance, check timing chain/guides, order shims and timing chain/guides if needed. Second round - replace shims and timing chain/guides.
Round 3 - add turbo.

Someday...

 

Hey I'm in Belmont work in charlotte!
This is/was my daily. Luckily my mom has a spare vehicle I could use : X. For some reason I agreed to pickup and put a down payment in some vending machines knowing my truck wasn't good for a long drive. I've been able to do most of this work in the evenings over a week. Ill have to say it's going easier than I anticipated, knock on wood
I ended up taking today off to get the truck done. Funny enough it's cheaper for me to loose a days pay than it is to rent a truck to do what I need to. Go figure!

 

Cool, let me know your thoughts on the job once you get it finished and any tips/pointers!

 

Well I've got her all back together.
Man it's running great nice and smooth quite and making better oil pressure too.

So since I had the head off I sent it to a machine shop and had them replace the valve guide seals. I had them shave a very small amount off the bottom too just to be sure it was nice and straight.

While I had the front cover off I inspected the oil pump gears. They were within spec but on the maximum side of clearance. So I went ahead and changed those out. I've gone from 2-4 lbs completely hot at idle to about 8-10 lbs hot at idle and I'm not using the thicker oil I would have run before.

The job went really smooth for me. Had a few fasteners give me a hard time but nothing major. Only one exhaust stud broke. I would say soak everything in penetrant if you can before you go at it and go ahead and give everything a good look over before you go into it. That will be the time to address anything wrong with it.
That was my thought at least I only wanted to be in there once.

 

Nice! Happy to hear there weren't any big unexpected surprises. I definitely can't afford to have anything major go wrong since it's my dd!