Mechanic said might as well replace the engine if the timing chain needs replacement

[visiting-this-planet]

Hey guys,

I am looking to get a 4x4 Tacoma in decent enough shape to drive (and camp along the way) from the Northwest well into South America, probably as far as southern Chile/Patagonia.
Still doing a ton of research and looking at trucks that may fit the bill.

I came across a 1998 Tacoma with 155k miles. A little worried about the age, but still willing to see if it could get the job done.
An older vehicle, especially in central america, might make for a less desirable theft target.

The seller mentioned the timing chain is due for a change. I'm going to see it in person tomorrow, don't know why he thinks the chain needs replacing.
I called up my usual mechanic, and he said I might as well replace the whole engine if the chain needs replacing.
Replacing the chain would restore the original compression in the engine, and it the other worn parts will eventually blow.

Haven't found anything on the net about this, and some people seemed to have replaced their chains. Any suggestions?

 

[IPA]

A Taco is just getting broken in at 155k miles. (Aside from the 3.0, perhaps, but I'm pretty sure they stopped using that POS in 1997?)

I don't recall offhand if/when timing chains need to be replaced in your truck (especially without knowing your specific engine), but getting one changed shouldn't run you more than $800 or so. An engine will be four times that, and completely unnecessary unless there are other problems.

 

[bkg]

Replacing timing chain will not restore compression, per se.

Get a new mechanic.

 

[Utah KJ]

Great news: it's a belt not a chain and needing a replacement has nothing to do with the shape of the motor.
If it's the 3.4, it's arguably the best engine Toyota built, I have 255k miles on mine and have replaced the belt twice.

Time for a new mechanic.

 

[visiting-this-planet]

Engine is either a 2.4 or 2.7, but definitely not the v6, that's as much detail as I have so far.

This is the truck itself:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/5163388737.html

As to the timing chain / belt issue I've heard both: seems like half of these trucks have chains and the other half have belts.

The mechanic did ask me if it was chains or belts. Belts he said would not be a problem, but if it's a chain, his shop won't do it according to his compression theory.

 

[visiting-this-planet]

Seems to check out that a '98 4 cylinder taco would have a chain: http://toyota.custhelp.com/app/answ...y-vehicle-have-a-timing-belt-or-timing-chain?

 

[surlydiesel]

My 01 has 155k on it and I have no intentions on changing the chain ever. The 4 bangers don't need the chain replaced. Maybe at 250k it might be a wear item but not at 150. Look for frame rust and of course it wouldn't hurt to have a competent mechanic look at it. Your mechanic does not sound competent.

-george

 

[Danimal]

Wow, there's zero merit to what the mechanic said. That makes no sense whatsoever.

Seems early to need a timing chain, so I'd take the truck to a (knowledgable) mechanic to have it looked at before purchasing. Don't trust someone elses diagnosis (or your mechanic's, for that matter).

Dan

 

[toyrunner95]

Can you PM me about where you are taking your truck. I know a couple guys that are great and fair. I've been using them for years for all my trucks. Ive seen that truck on craigslist and considered it. Price was out of range though. Please PM me and I will do my best to help. I'm down in Bonney Lake and have no problem meeting up some time to look at it together or going camping as a test run.

 

[4runnerteq]

Wow, there's zero merit to what the mechanic said. That makes no sense whatsoever.

Seems early to need a timing chain, so I'd take the truck to a (knowledgable) mechanic to have it looked at before purchasing. Don't trust someone elses diagnosis (or your mechanic's, for that matter).

Dan

X2
Would be rare to have a chain failure on the 2.4 or 2.7 at 155k. If it actually did id be very concerned about the maintence its had.

 

[visiting-this-planet]

X2
Would be rare to have a chain failure on the 2.4 or 2.7 at 155k. If it actually did id be very concerned about the maintence its had.

Agreed, but it is the seller who told me that the timing chain is due for replacement. I'll check it out tomorrow in person.
As far as I've read, these things should not need to ever be replaced unless maintnance (mostly a simple oil change) has been grossly overlooked.

 

[visiting-this-planet]

Can you PM me about where you are taking your truck. I know a couple guys that are great and fair. I've been using them for years for all my trucks. Ive seen that truck on craigslist and considered it. Price was out of range though. Please PM me and I will do my best to help. I'm down in Bonney Lake and have no problem meeting up some time to look at it together or going camping as a test run.

Thanks, much appreciated. PM sent!

 

[abeaudin1971]

From a quick google search the 3RZ-FEs are like the 22R/Es and they can suffer from guide wear. My old '89 with a 22R got treated to a new chain at 200K miles - it sounded like a diesel at idle prior to that so I was pretty lucky.

It's not an overly long job - did it in my driveway in about 5 hrs

 

[F40]

Run as quickly as you can from your "mechanic" and never return.

 

[Arktikos]

I came across a 1998 Tacoma with 155k miles. A little worried about the age, but still willing to see if it could get the job done.
An older vehicle, especially in central america, might make for a less desirable theft target.

Looks like a nice truck. I doubt Central Americans would turn up their noses at it, or consider it to be old. For sure you need to find out why the seller thinks the timing chain needs replacement. He may simply think it's a maintenance issue, discussed already in this thread, or perhaps there are problems.