I'm wrapping up my 87 4Runnah restoration and plan to put it on the road soon as my daily driver. I'm digging into the regular maintenance bits and a thought occurred to me....when is the right time to replace the timing chain?

The 4Runner has 88k miles on it but I bought it in 1999 with 70k on it. It had a blown 22RE when I got it as the head gasket went and sent coolant into the oil, eventually seizing it.

I put a junkyard 85 22RE in but I am not sure of the mileage. My memory thinks it was under 100k when I bought it but I really am not sure. The motor could have 200k now on it for all I know.

It runs great, has descent power and is quiet as a church mouse. When is the right time to change the chain....when they start making noise? Or at a certain mileage interval?

I've heard of the chains rubbing through the timing cover sending coolant into the oil....and I'd definitely like to avoid that. But I'd rather not fix something that isn't broken. Thanks!

 

Toyota calls for a 90,000 mileage change interval.

 

Hmmmmm, then unless it was replaced before I got it (which I doubt) it may be time for a new one.

 

When in doubt, change it out.

 

Is the engine out of the vehicle??

Easy to do it now rather then later

I wonder does the chain stretch that much .

The guides and the tensioner do wear though.

 

Why not pull the valve cover off and take a look see down there? Shining a light down the chain path will at least give you some indication on the condition of the driver's side guide. If it is intact, you may have a while. If it is gone, you're definitely on borrowed time.

I just replaced mine. It is actually pretty straight forward and there are lots of resources to help.

In any case, good luck!

 

The engine is in the vehicle. It wasn't taken out for the restoration...I guess it was a frame-on resto not a frame off.

I'll take the valve cover off soon anyways. I'd like to take a peek just for the sake of inspection. I have no reason to believe the timing chain is starting to go....I just have no idea the true mileage of the used engine.

It'll be going on the road full time as my daily driver sometime early next month and I'll be driving it about 350 miles per week. I'm sure I'll shake any bugs loose in no time.

 

I have 280,000 on my 22r with original chain and it still purs! And it hasn't been an easy 280,000 either. It's my daily driver I've put 8,000+ miles on it so far this year.

 

I highly doubt that, but who knows.

 

If you do change it, which you probably should, spend the extra money and get the metal guides. Then you wont have to worry abut the plastic ones wearing out and interfering with the front cover,

 

I'm looking for a good video assist for changing the timing chain, etc. Anyone have any good references? I did check YouTube but the ones I saw were incomplete. I would appreciate any help anyone can offer. I have a 1989 PU 4x4 with a '95 motor in it....unsure of mileage, it runs well, but noisy on start-up and leaking oil near the driver's side front of the engine. Help please??! Beanie