Need opinion on timing chain.

[Toxie]

First off, I want to thank everyone for all the help you give me and everyone else here. You guys and this site are great!

 

I need your opinion on replacing my timing chain. I have an '89 Prix with a 3.1 and 102,000 miles on it. Should I replace the timing chain now or do I have a few more miles left in it? It is a chain and not a belt right?

 

The engine sounds great and runs great, I have heard that the chain will chatter when it is getting wore out, is this true? I have heard that if a chain or belt breaks on certain engines that the engine can be damaged, is this true with the 3.1 or would it be ok with a new belt if the old one broke while running?

 

Also, How tuff of a job is it to change one and get everything back into proper time?

 

Thanks for your help!

 

Toxie 8)

[patgizz]

i dont think i would bother. lots of guys here have more miles than that. mine had 130 when i put in the 3.4. buddy's APV has 175k and another has 275K w/ no internal work. the guy with 275k even pulls a 10' enclosed trailer for work. my sister's lumina has 170k on it and doing just fine, and m y old 93 had 172k when i sold it.

[Robby1870]

yeah its a chain, and therefore, its less prone to breaking like the timing belts on the DOHC. I agree with Patgizz, wait til it breaks or something. Its a decent amount of work to get to it, cuz all the accessories have to come off. Just wait, unless your feeling ambitious

 

Robby

[brian89gp]

I wouldn't bother. The only thing that will happen before it breaks (hell, have never heard of one breaking anyway) is it will move the powerband upward some.

 

My old 89 grand prix 3.1 had 210k on the original when i sold it, and i have a lumina apv van 3.1 with well over 230k on the original.

[ross442]

I'm not sure why but it seems the timing chains dont need replacing in the 2.8 - 3.1 's. I personally have never met anyone who replaced their chain in one. I hade an 89 GP with a 3.1 and it had 225,000 on it when I sold it. I drove it hard and never heard or experienced any chain stretch. Maybe they have a tensioner in them like 3800s. Older engines like olds and chevy V8s it's common to do a chain around every 80 to 120,000 miles. But I wouldn't worry about yours.

[Robby1870]

I guess its because the motor doesnt rev or 6K rpms, and since theres not that much power in the motor, it doesnt rev up fast. However, the timing cover gasket on mine is leaking oil. But, its just gonna leak, too hard to get too

 

Robby

[brian89gp]

The DOHC doesn't have timing chain problems either, and both my 90 3.1 and my 94 3.4 have chain tensioners.

[Toxie]

Thanks for the info guys, you put my mind to rest. That chain is going to stay right where it's at.

 

 

 

Toxie 8)

[Brian P]

do you hear a "click-click" just after shutting the engine off (at operating temp, not cold)?

[NeverSayDie]

I got 210,00 outta mine before I tore down for other reasons