How Much Does It Cost To Get A Timing Chain Replacement?

As a car owner, you’re likely to run into your fair share of engine issues. While some are rarer than others, you could experience oil leaks, overheating, and multiple other things. These problems vary in cost, and you need to be aware of how much the repairs will be.

It never hurts to be knowledgeable about any possible scenario, especially when it concerns something complex as the timing chain. 

The timing chain is an essential component of your vehicle. It plays a very significant role and, thus, must be fixed as soon as possible. 

How Does The Engine Work?

An internal-combustion engine is a heat engine that converts energy from the heat of burning gasoline. When all is over, the burning gasoline turns into mechanical work, or torque, which applies to the wheels and creates vehicle movement.

Engines have pistons that move up and down inside metal tubes (cylinders). They, in turn, connect with the crankshaft that spins with their help. Depending on the vehicle, there may be between two or twelve cylinders with the corresponding number of pistons. 

Modern engines undergo a specific cycle: combustion, intake, compression, and exhaust. Combustion pushes the pistons down from the top of the cylinder. As engines need air to burn fuel, during intake, valves open up and allow ambient air to come in. When the piston reaches the bottom, the valves close for compression and are then sent upward to absorb the intake charge. After that, what remains goes out of the automobile through the exhaust system. 

What Does The Timing Chain Do?

As we’ve discussed how the engine works, you might wonder where exactly the timing chain factors in. Its primary function is coordinating the rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft. It allows the valves to open and close when each cylinder is fired.

The neatly organized cycle breaks if the timing chain fails to operate correctly. If the pistons and valves don’t fire or move, your engine will surely suffer significant damage. However, a few warning signs can help you react in time. 

Symptoms Of A Faulty Timing Chain

If something happens with the chain or it succumbs to wear and tear, you should be able to easily spot that there’s a problem because of well-pronounced symptoms. They are as follows:

• Engine misfires. Regular wear and tear could force the chain to skip a gear on the cam- or crankshaft. It results in a misfire and poor acceleration.

• Metal shavings in the oil. Also, because of wear, small pieces can break off the chain. And when they do, it’s a 100% guarantee they will roll around and get deeper into the engine, causing severe damage.

• The car won’t start. Another possible symptom if your chain breaks is the failure to start. If the chain snaps while driving, the valves will become damaged, potentially forcing you to replace the whole engine.

• Check engine light illuminates. Like with any other engine issue, the light should come on if something is wrong with the engine. 

• Rattling sounds. You’ll hear a rattling sound from under the hood if the chain becomes loose. 

Replacing The Timing Chain

Replacing a chain can get complicated quickly; thus, labor costs are way up there. You’ll have to bite the bullet and pay around $400 and $1,000 for installing a new one. Even though it’s costly, it’s better than the DIY-style option due to the risks and exhausting difficulty.

However, if you come to the auto shop too late, you might have to replace the whole engine. In this case, the replacement will set you back by $6,000, which is enough for some to send the automobile to a junkyard.

Summary

If you notice any symptoms, hurry and get to an auto shop as soon as possible. Timing is crucial because you could damage your engine if you leave the problem unchecked.

As the repairs are expensive, you might want to replace the chain yourself. We advise against that as the process is very complicated because you are dealing with the engine. Instead, leave all the work to a qualified mechanic, as any mistake could make things harder and increase the repair costs.

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