Do I repair the engine or timing chain?

My truck is old and has over 300,000 miles on it. I dont exactly know what is wrong with it but ive had alot of people tell me it was the timing chain. Im guessing it is. Idk. But i wanna know if it better to get a new engine, rebuild the engine or just fix the timing chain? Please let me know what you think. Thanks. 🙂

My car has 300550 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
With this engine you have to remove the engine to do the timing chains for both heads. One chain is in front and other is in rear of engine. Since you have such high mileage on the engine already I would recommend replacing or overhauling the motor. It is more cost effective to replace motor with a remanufactured motor.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

When do I need to replace/change the timing belt on my Ford? Although timing belts are critical, there`s no need to replace them regularly –unless explicitly recommended in your Ford owner`s manual. Some automakers recommend changing a timing belt between 60,000 and 100,000, others don`t.
Does the engine need to be removed to change the timing chain? It depends mostly on the layout and positioning of the engine in the vehicle. A timing chain or belt could be replaced, for example, on a typical modern transversely mounted engine with the engine left in place.
The average cost for a Ford Explorer Timing Chain Tensioner Replacement is between $642 and $802. Labor costs are estimated between $558 and $704 while parts are priced between $84 and $98.
With proper maintenance, these Ford 4.0L OHV V-6 engines are reliable and ours had powered us on many adventures deep into the backwoods and desert without any worries.
If your timing chain breaks while you`re driving, your vehicle`s engine is likely to suffer catastrophic damage. If you detect any of the danger signals described above, the best way to avoid major engine damage is to have your timing chain replaced by a skilled mechanic.
The most common signs that your timing belt needs to be replaced include: Ticking noise from under the hood when the engine is running. The engine doesn`t start. The engine misfiring while driving.
Inability to Start the Engine

This is a sign of the ultimate breakage of the timing chain. The vehicle won`t start and can result in damaging other engine components as well. If these signs are recognized timely, the impending failure of the timing chain can be prevented with proper repair services.

When you have the timing belt replaced at a reputable service center, the service should also include a few other things. The tensioner and idler rollers should also be replaced. The technician will also inspect the crankshaft seal and the camshaft seal, replacing them if necessary.
The replacement cost of 4.0 ford engine timing chain guide kit is around $450~$1050 for parts & labor cost.
Rated at a rather anemic 210 horsepower, the 4.0L SOHC V6 is not exactly a high output engine. It also has an unusual overhead cam drive setup.
The most common reasons a Ford Explorer engine makes a ticking noise are low oil level or pressure, an issue with the ignition system, or an exhaust leak.
In most cases, you`re going to get better fuel efficiency with a four-cylinder vs. six-cylinder engine. This is because they`re smaller engines with less horsepower. The lower horsepower figures might be a negative for some, but if your focus is fuel economy, then it`s a trade-off that`s easy to make.
The longer lifespan of a timing chain is why they are chosen over timing belts – they very rarely break, but any problems that do arise are easy to catch before they reach the point of no return.
A timing chain can last for more than 200,000 miles with proper care. You may never even need a timing chain replacement, but you should book a check when your car reaches 125,000 miles.
Another symptom of engine timing chain issues is engine rattling or knocking sounds. These sounds can be heard when the engine is running, and they can be an indication that the timing chain is loose or worn. The noise can vary from a ticking sound to a loud knocking sound.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

need a way to retain the timing chain
ANSWER : The best way to approach this unfortunately is by using a timing chain tool retainer/holder tool. You may consider having an expert from YourMechanic come to your home replace the timing chain.

Timing chain positioning
ANSWER : This system is a bit complex. I can give you some instructions, but I highly recommend getting a hold of a repair manual or purchasing a yearly subscription for just your vehicle from AllData. It is only $25 for a years subscription from AllData.

There are two separate sets of marks on this system. One set is for aligning the timing chain to the camshaft gears and the intermediate shaft gear. There will be marks on the chain that raps around the crankshaft gear as well. These marks will not line up after you turn the motor over.The other marks are on the inside of the camshaft gears and align with the cylinder head parting line. If you were to draw a ling through the center of both camshaft gears, they should line up with that imaginary line.

The crankshaft key way should be aligned with the mating face of the main bearing cap. You can confirm it is in the correct position by verifying the number one piston is at top dead center. If you have removed the balance shaft timing chain, these marks really need a visual diagram to understand where they should be aligned. Without a diagram I am not very confident it can be explained very clearly.

This may be difficult to to follow, so again I highly recommend purchasing a repair manual in digital form or a book. If you feel this is over your head, I recommend the following inspection to help you out. Timing chain replacement

Good luck! I hope I was able to help you.

Do I repair the engine or timing chain?
ANSWER : With this engine you have to remove the engine to do the timing chains for both heads. One chain is in front and other is in rear of engine. Since you have such high mileage on the engine already I would recommend replacing or overhauling the motor. It is more cost effective to replace motor with a remanufactured motor.

if an engine is rebuilt, does that include the timing chain also?
ANSWER : Hi there. Why was the engine rebuild performed? That model year Camry does not have adjustable lifters; they are hydraulic and depend on proper oil pressure to operate properly. These lifters also have to be primed with oil prior to installing during an engine rebuild. There is also the camshaft carrier that has small oil ports to feed the camshafts and lifters with oil. If the technician that performed the rebuild applied too much sealant, one or more of the oil passages could be blocked or restricted resulting in the noise you’re hearing. Then there is also the possibility that the noise could be in the lower part of the engine or an accessory. I suggest having a qualified technician perform an inspection to avoid replacing unnecessary parts and determine where and what is causing the noise. Your Mechanic has several available technicians that can assist you with an engine is making a noise inspection.

Engine malfunction light, reduced engine power, engine powered down
ANSWER : Hi there. There are a lot of things that can cause this on your 2012 BMW M5. I usually start by scanning the computer for codes to see what comes up. If there are not codes then I load test the alternator and the battery to see if they are failing. Low voltage in the electrical system will cause this. If that is fine, then it is usually caused by a failing throttle body. I have seen a lot of these fail due to the motors in them hanging up. If the problem is only happening intermittently, this can make the issue hard to duplicate, but you can still have tests done on the car. If you are going to have this fixed, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to test the vehicle and diagnose the Engine Malfunction Light.

Change my timing chain. Got it on time from upper to lower chain tensioners and now I have no spark.
ANSWER : Hey there. I would recommend checking the camshaft position sensor as this sensor is located near the timing components, to be sure that it is plugged in correctly and working properly. I would also suggest checking the crankshaft position sensor just to be sure it is also plugged in correctly.

As you know, both of these sensors will impact whether or not the motor will produce spark. If either of these are not the problem, you may want to then begin testing the ignition coils for power to be sure they are providing current to the spark plug wires. If you would like to have a professional scope this out for you, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to inspect the issue getting spark.

I have a 96 Ford ranger with cel p0340 I have recently done a timing belt, engine runs great replaced cmp sensor cel still on
ANSWER : Hi There,
This may happen for a couple of reasons. First, check to be sure that the connections to the sensor are clean and not faulty or broken. Secondly, check to be sure you replaced the correct sensor as there are two camshaft position sensors in some applications. If you need further help with this, please reach out to us here at YourMechanic as we are always here to help.

Replacing timing chain 2004 Mazda 6
ANSWER : Hello – if the mechanic waited until the car was re-assembled after the water pump job to suggest timing chain repair, then "yes", s/he was not doing you any favor. Doing the timing chain repair separately is essentially repeating the labor. There are a number of related parts involved in a timing chain service: the timing chain itself, one or more timing chain guides, a tensioner, an idler puller(sometimes), and various o-rings and seals. Many parts manufacturers package these as a "kit", and the technician simply orders the correct kit for your engine in order to be sure they get all the right bits. I recommend a timing chain service performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, and give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.