timing chain

[Damagecontrol1]

My 2015 sedan 3.8 just hit 100k miles. I was wondering if anyone had any input on the timing chain and sepentine belt needing replacement.

 

[joegr]

Timing chains are not replaced preemptively. (Do you know what's involved in doing that?).
Usually, they are good for the life of the engine.
Inspect the serpentine accessory belt. If there are no big cracks, no more than a few very small ones, and no other issues with it, there is no need to replace it yet.

 

[EdP]

My 2015 sedan 3.8 just hit 100k miles. I was wondering if anyone had any input on the timing chain and sepentine belt needing replacement.

I'd not worry about the chain.

Was the serpentine belt replaced already? Most are in the 60 to 80k range. If you are on the second you are probably in good shape, if not, I'd inspect and consider it soon, especially if you plant to take a trip.

 

[carguy75]

My 2015 sedan 3.8 just hit 100k miles. I was wondering if anyone had any input on the timing chain and sepentine belt needing replacement.

Like mentioned in the last post; timing chains usually does not need to be changed as a rule. However, oil changes are very important in extending a timing chain's life. An engine that is allowed to operate on older oil during longer oil change intervals tends to need a timing chain replaced due to stretching from friction caused by the lack of proper lubrication by the old used oil; especially after 100k miles.

Furthermore, the timing chain guides and chain tensioners could also be affected by longer oil change intervals. Chain tensioners tend to fail when using older oil which allows the chain to rub against the engine block and the guides usually break which also cause damage.

My advice would be to change the oil as frequent as possible to get the longest life out of your timing chain and other timing components. I always change my oil every 4k miles on all my engines. My GM 6.0 LS engine has 230k miles and look new on the inside. I assume that my 2015 Genesis 5.0 with 86k miles look just as good. I use 5w-30 Valvoline high mileage synthetic in both engines.

Note: Some members will tell you that modern oil is good for longer oil change intervals and that changing it at 4k miles is a waste, but trust me that shorter oil change intervals will help your engine go the distant if your goal is to keep the car pass 100k miles without lubrication related engine issues such as the timing chain system.

I would change the the drive belt soon due to your mileage. It is probably fine, but could also be cracked.

 

[skipgen]

Like mentioned in the last post; timing chains usually does not need to be changed as a rule. However, oil changes are very important in extending a timing chain's life. An engine that is allowed to operate on older oil during longer oil change intervals tends to need a timing chain replaced due to stretching from friction caused by the lack of proper lubrication by the old used oil; especially after 100k miles.

Furthermore, the timing chain guides and chain tensioners could also be affected by longer oil change intervals. Chain tensioners tend to fail when using older oil which allows the chain to rub against the engine block and the guides usually break which also cause damage.

My advice would be to change the oil as frequent as possible to get the longest life out of your timing chain and other timing components. I always change my oil every 4k miles on all my engines. My GM 6.0 LS engine has 230k miles and look new on the inside. I assume that my 2015 Genesis 5.0 with 86k miles look just as good. I use 5w-30 Valvoline high mileage synthetic in both engines.

Note: Some members will tell you that modern oil is good for longer oil change intervals and that changing it at 4k miles is a waste, but trust me that shorter oil change intervals will help your engine go the distant if your goal is to keep the car pass 100k miles without lubrication related engine issues such as the timing chain system.

I would change the the drive belt soon due to your mileage. It is probably fine, but could also be cracked.

Very true... Clean oil is also important for the proper function of the variable valve timing system - if that stuff gets gummed up, you're in for a world of hurt. Clean oil also slows down the carbon build up common to GDI engines.

I've said it before - The oil may be able to go 8k and still lubricate, but it's going to be dirty AF.

 

[Starflyer]

If timing chains are good for a long time, why the move to timing belts? Cost???

 

[danenzmann]

Timing belts reduce manufacturer's cost. Compared to most sidewinder engine chains, they are clean and easy to replace.
They are the worst idea for interference engines.

 

[carguy75]

If timing chains are good for a long time, why the move to timing belts? Cost???

From what I have learned about timing belts vs. timing chains is that timing belts are quieter and allows the engine to run longer(over 500k miles) without having to go inside the engine over the life of the engine. Timing belts can usually be easily accessed by just removing plastic covers located on the outside of the engine. Timing chains require the engine head and block to opened which is more labor intensive.

Therefore, timing belt engine would most likely run longer without any major internal engine repair; but at a high maintenance cost since the belts usually have to be changed every 90k miles. Timing chain engine life is mainly dependent on having fresh oil keeping it properly lubricated; so the life of the timing chain system varies based on the owner preferred oil change intervals.

Timing belts are also a great source of service center related income on used cars for dealerships since the timing belts need to be changed every 90k miles for about $1000 a service visit.

The main con to timing belts is that timing belts can break without warning and most engines will be terminally damaged if a timing belt break during operation. Timing chain usually do not just break without warning; because a timing chain will cause engine noise"rattles" when the timing system is defective.

Here is a timing belt repair I performed on my son's 2007 Highlander. I just had to remove the outside covers.

Here is a timing chain job on my 2006 Cadillac Escalade I performed. The front of the engine had to be removed.

 

[glennk]

Only cars in need of timing chains are BMWs. Usually because of their ridiculously long oil intervals.

As for serpentine belts, I've never let my cars go over 90,000mi.

 

[carguy75]

Only cars in need of timing chains are BMWs. Usually because of their ridiculously long oil intervals.

As for serpentine belts, I've never let my cars go over 90,000mi.

I wished that BMW was the only automaker with timing chain system issues. This issue is common with high mileage engines from GM 3.6 V6, Nissan/Infiniti V6/V8, Audi V6/V8, Hyundai/KIA V6(non-turbo), and a few more. Longer oil change intervals is not an issue until the engine reaches 100k miles and then the effects start to happen on engines with an timing chain system. Shorter oil change intervals is not a perfect solution to these timing system issues, but it helps prevents some of the problems since many high mileage engines lose oil during longer oil change intervals that increases the chances of timing system wearing.

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[glennk]

We live in a day and age of extremely precise engineering. Issues such as this should not be happening in cars made in the last 20 years.

 

[carguy75]

We live in a day and age of extremely precise engineering. Issues such as this should not be happening in cars made in the last 20 years.

The funny thing is that most of the modern engines would last a long time pass 100k miles if everyone(dealers and owners specifically) does not decide to keep stretching out oil changes. I say this because most of the newer systems used in modern engines are very oil dependent such as the variable timing systems and timing chain tensioners which has very small orifices that can easily become clogged from dirty oil contaminates.

Longer oil changes actually benefit the dealers more than the customers in the long run since most engines will become expensive to repair after 100k miles; therefore a person will most likely just buy a newer car over paying $$$$ to repair a timing chain system issue. Longer oil changes also benefit some owners who will dump a car by 100k miles as well since they will not be repairing the issues caused by extended oil changes. However, extended oil changes is why many 2nd hand owners of used cars are stuck with engines that end up having these timing system issues around the 100k-150k range.

Moderns cars still follow the same rules for a long service life beyond 100k miles-Change your oil very 3-4k miles and the transmission fluid about 30k-60k miles with a transmission filter change every 90k-120k miles. Oil quality is an even more important aspect of modern engine function more than it was 20 years ago due to latest technological advances that rely on engine oil to function properly.

Hence why I do not buy used cars with over 40k miles as a rule so that I can hopefully correct some of the previous owners damage from lack of service or dealer sanctioned lack of service of the engine and transmission. I am planning on keeping my 2015 Genesis until about 200k miles before trading up to keep saving money by not having a car payment. Saving $500+ a month is very nice.

Therefore i will be changing my engine oil every 4k miles and the transmission fluid every 30kmiles or so. Hopefully my Hyundai V8 engine goes the distance without needing a timing system repair in that time if i keep it lubricated with fresh oil. Time will tell.

 

[glennk]

Change my oil at 6 months or 3,750miles. Can't speak for what happened to the car before I bought it (corporate Hyundai car), but I immediately switched to full synthetic and haven't used anything since. Plan to do the transmission oil change at 60,000miles (will do the oil pan/filter at 120,000miles). Had the radiator and brake fluid tested. Both look good so far. Usually do brake fluid at the same time as brake job. And, not sure about the radiator fluid. I'll hit the time interval long before the mileage. In the past, I've done it at 45,000miles along with the thermostat...then, 90,000miles with thermostat and water pump. Still not sure with this car...