Timing Chain

there isn't one

change the tranny fluid every 30k

 

There has to be. How else would the valves operate? I think there is a timing belt, not chain, but I don't know the recommended replacement interval.

 

that is what i meant, it is not like the old engines with a replacement spec. they run forever. there is an adjustment port, which no one ever uses, that does tend to weep oil on some

 

I'll take your word for it, but timing belts are made of steel reinforced rubber. The rubber part, especially teeth, gets stiff and starts to crack with age, so I would find it surprising if there ware no replacement interval. If the timing belt goes, it will take the valves, pistons and con rods with it. The ICE in a hybrid is no different from that of a non-hybrid, e.g. a Corolla, which I have to believe must have a recommended replacement interval, or am I completely off base??? 60-100k mi. used to be the general recommendation for typical cars.

 

understood. just have a look in your owners manual, simple enough

 

The Prius C has a timing chain.

 

While not in the schedule, I would consider replacing the timing chain at 240,000 miles.

If you think you hear the chain, it is time, no matter what the mileage. Shavings in the oil would be another red flag.

 

I haven't got a hope'n hell of getting to 240K kilometers, guess I'm good.

Food for thought:

Dealerships are charging around $1700, just to remove and reseal the timing chain cover (they've been leak prone). That's on 3rd gen, maybe c is similar?

Would it be most expedient to remove the engine for a timing chain replacement. I think the timing chain cover install is nigh impossible to do by-the-book with the engine installed.

Again this is assuming similar to regular Prius: there are over 20 bolts to install in the timing chain cover, with varying torque values. The repair manual recommends to apply the form-in-place gasket to the engine, not the cover. Time from application of the FIP gasket to putting on the cover is to less than 3 minutes. And all the aforementioned bolts are to be installed and torqued within 15 minutes of FIP application. FIP application alone probably takes close to a minute.

 

Yep, it's that one.

It's a steel chain very much like a bicycle or motorcycle, and it's lubricated continuously with engine oil. It has no published replacement spec but as jimbo said, sometimes they just go. The good news is that they tend to advertise impending failure with noise, unlike a rubber belt. The better news is that it almost never happens, unlike in belt-drive valvetrains.

Belt-drive came into fashion as a way to reduce cost and weight with smaller block castings. It has fallen out of fashion more recently because it seems that nobody can actually afford to replace a timing belt; they just trade it in or let it pop.

 

Ah, well...in that case, as Emily Litella used to say, "Never Mind".

 

if the timing chain needs replacing, might as well through in a low mile engine, just like the head gasket

 

Only way your garage queen gets there is one of us high mileage guys.

Maybe another job to add to the list though .

But definitely more involved than I usually like to be.

 

Recommended by users, not your manual.

 

Usually on today's engines, if the chain is going, it'll throw a CEL.

 

with prius, the cel comes on after the engine blows up

 

In Russia, chain changes you.

 

great info, thank you

 

So I watched the linked video above, and this one auto played next. They did a Gen 3 head gasket leaving the engine in place.

They seem like they had done it a few times. They did not say they used new bolts, but there is no way I would NOT at the very least replace the bolts.