pruney81

I've owned a few late 80's 4Runners in the past with over 200K miles and never had to replace a timing chain. I just acquired this 1990 Pickup with 95K miles and it's now at 100K. It runs well and I can't hear any timing chain noise compared to other 22re's I've owned.

Alot of people have been posting that the timing chain should be replaced every 100K or so. This seems a little premature to me as Toyota has no specific interval for chain replacement. I'm well aware of the causes of guide/chain failure it's just that without physically inspecting my chain/guides I feel like there is nothing wrong at 100K miles. I mean if not abused the chain and guides should last the life of the engine no?

My 22re ticks but is the strongest 22re I've ever owned.
On my old 86 I could hear the chain slapping the cover loudly on EVERY startup and on this on it's relatively quiet. for a 22re.

So, my question is, has anyone had luck on not having to replace the chain and guides on a 22re? Or, do they inevitably almost always fail?

TOYOTA 1

on a 22re, its almost always the first thing to go.
i just replaced my brothers timing set not to long ago, and his had about 170k.

that being said, my lady's 4runner has around 150k with stock timing set and all looks and sounds well. so imo its just a matter of time .

if your there i would replace it, if not then keep an eye on it and replace it when necessary.

pruney81

^^That's about what I was thinking, generally a timing chain chain should last for much more than 100K no?

TOYOTA 1

if maintained and driven nicely, sure.

drive it like you stole it, probably not

pruney81

the previous owner towed with it so I'm skeptical but it runs well and isn't making any noise so i think I'm gonna ride it out for a while.

Kiroshu

Toyota recommends you replace the timing chain at every 90,000-100,000 miles.

pruney81

^^^Where do you find that recommendation?

Kiroshu

You can look it up.... on common place is in your owners manual for your truck.

pruney81

Mine didn't come with an owners manual, I thought that Toyota did not recommend any particular replacement interval for the timing chain. I'm not saying that you are wrong I was just curious...because it seems like most people (92TOY for one example) are having chain failure at much higher mileage than mine

Kiroshu

The timing chain in a 22r will last a very long time before it finally beats throught the guides. My truck went all the way to 190k before it was slapping the t-cover oil and coolant mixing. And mines already slapping again due to faulty tensioner.... Its all in how you treat it. But the gudies will go aventually. I've seen a few go 200k plus. If you stress the 22r at high rpms it will fail quicker....

tooslim1108

Mine lasted 269k miles but i only put 10k miles on it and now im in the process of rebuilding my motor

TOYOTA 1

so basically there is no set life span on the timing set.

you could replace it now and not have to think about it for another 100k.


though i would just keep and eye and an ear out, and fix it when it needs to be fixed.

pruney81

^^That's my take on it TOYOTA_1. Most likely I will replace all the parts sometime around around next March so I hope they last that long.

TOYOTA 1

only time will tell

rustypigeon

I caught my guide starting to crack at 138,000. My truck is pampered, never run hard.

pruney81

I know, that since mine is at 100K I need to check it soon I'm just hoping it will last a few more months till I can get around to fixing it..
At any rate any good timing chain should last at least 150K miles no? That's why we buy Toyota's right?

DethYota

It is horrifying having the timing chain fail. I wish I knew more about them before the pulley failed while I was driving on the freeway in my parent's 4Runner.

Lesson Learned: Replace timing components when the manual says

pruney81

Well, I realize timing chain failure can be bad but I question people on here because my ex-girlfriends dad had an 86 4Runner with over 275K miles and his timing chain was fine so that leaves me to think that they have a little more durability than people on here might lead you to believe.

91_TOYOTA_4x4

i think you will be fine if you wait a few months you say there are no signs of it failing and its runs good then it should be fine for now. however i would do it within your next 50k miles. i checked my timing chain and adjusted my valves a few months back, i have a new crate 22re with about 80k km's on it and my guides were perfect along with the chain . btw a good check wont hurt just pull the valve cover and point you flashlight down there and check the guides and for play in the chain.

flyingbrass

I suspect the number of starts/heat cycles and probably also age affect guide fatigue as much or more than miles driven. My 86's driver's guide wasn't far behind the pics yota4runna posted above, but it only had half the miles.