mxt_77

Did you do it yourself? How long did it take you? Degree of difficulty? Caveats? I'm considering replacing mine (don't ask me why!), and I just thought I'd see if it's something I can do myself, or if I should farm out the work.

Thanks!

Ek9

I was reading the procededure in the manual. It seems to involve removing both the head and the pan. I'd describe it as a major procedure.

I'd read the manual before you attempt it.

Greenlight

Did you do it yourself?
Yes, I have had my engine completely apart about 20 times in the last 3 years. I never tried changing just the timing chain in the car, always with the engine on an engine stand.


How long did it take you?
Once the engine is on the engine stand I could replace the chain in ~ 1 hour.


Degree of difficulty?
If you have a high degree of mechanical aptitude 6 out of 10.
If your mechanical aptitude is low 9.5 out of 10.


Caveats?
1) Special tool to hold harmonic damper while removing the bolt.

2) Correctly installing the chain to ensure the timing of the crank/cams.

3) Ensure the o-ring in the timing cover that seals the high pressure oil curcuit remains in place during installation.

4) Ensure that you use "sensor safe" RTV silicone on the oil pan and timing covers and you assemble it so there are no oil leaks when you are done.

mxt_77

Bumping this thread to see if anyone else has input. I now have a whine coming from the area of the tensioner/chain guide, so it seems to be more imperative to replace the chain & guide.

Slows2k

Replacing the chain or chain guides with the engine installed is a pretty big job. The oil pan, cylinder head, and chain case need to be removed. If you just take off the oil pan and chain case, you may find yourself fighting oil leaks from the cylinder head.

I've never seen a chain break, or a chain guide break on any high milage F20C or K20-24, which also uses a similar drive chain.

mxt_77

Yeah, but I've developed a high pitched whine coming from that area since my last timing chain tensioner started going bad. Unfortunately, it has persisted even after I replaced the tensioner. I'd rather not wait till something breaks (whether it be the tensioner arm, the chain, or whatever).