When if at all should the timing chain be replaced?
mine is a 95 240 wit 95k miles

 

you replace it when it snaps. When it snaps, you'll know. It's not a wear and replace item like a belt. Most go around 90K

Dr.

 

Be ready to repleace..it will go soon. When you hear a knocking/tapping sound...thats it

 

Usualy with these cars when your timing chain is about to go you will hear noises coming from the timing belt housing, like taping or knocking noises. What usualy happens the timing chain guides get worn first causing the chain to shake around and then the tentioner goes causing it to become a little loose and then it snaps and then you are calling a tow truck. If you know your engine is making these noises around the front area and when you put your hand on the timing chain housing and you can feel a taping it's wise to have the chain guides and tensioner replaced before they cause the chain to snap. I replaced my chain guides and tensioner at 210,000 km's on my S13.

 

From personal exerience, please DO NOT WAIT for your timing chain to go. if the timing chain breaks while you are on the freeway, you have about a 50 50 chance of buying yourself a new car. the reason being that if the chain breaks, and a valve is all the way down (or more than one valve), the pistons will come back up and slap the valves, damaging your pistons, your head, and valve stems. plan on over 2000 dollars for a shop to fix it... The scenario that happened to me was... i bought a car that had been babied, and at 120,000 my timing chain was getting really stretched out. i got the car, and planned on replacing it at the end of the month, but it was so stretched out that it rubbed a hole in my front cover. same thing as a blown head gasket, the coolant got into my oil, drained my radiator, my car overheated, and i actually did blow the head gasket. all of this was within 2 miles on the freeway. Just replace it at 90-100, or the DAY you hear the tapping.

 

Yep I know of two people whose timing belt snapped (mits. 3000gt VR4) and al 24 valves bent...almost new motor time because valves are not cheap ....valve guides, valves, pistons, possible head damage....yhe only thing pretty about this damage is the penny you pay

 

Thnx guys a lot of helpful info.. took to my mechanic said i need a valve adjustment and while hes got the cover off he'll look at the chain tensioners and go from there.. hopefully not too serious
cuz i know it costs loads to do that work.. and that owuld mean more delay on my suspension work