Timing Chain (1 Viewer)

[hatfieldcb]

I'm considering a 40th Anniversary Edition here in town. The owner says they had the timing chain replaced. The cruiser has only 86k miles on it. Should I be suspicious that maybe the engine has problems? I'm going to look at it Sunday.

TIA

Chris

 

[MaddBaggins]

I'm a pretty amatuer mechanic, but I think I would definitely ask the owner some more questions. Why did he replace the chain? What happened that made him think it should be replaced? Was he just paranoid and thought it wouldn't last past 75-80k. From the little I do know you shouldn't have to worry about the timing chain until after 200k, unless you neglect the engine or really dog it out bad.
There a lot of folk here to chime in on this one, thats just my amatuer 2 cents.
Alvin

 

[cruiserdan]

A very rare repair indeed. I wonder if it was a head gasket instead? Perhaps a timing chain at the same time since it was apart?

D-

 

[hatfieldcb]

Yeah. I'll ask some more. The wife (who I was talking to on the phone) said they had the work done at the Sinclair station where they always go?

One problem with it, I guess, is the DS seat is split at one of the seams. How hard is that to fix? A guess?

Chris

 

[Pyro-boy]

Chris, I have the same problem with my seats. I hope to order new leather and seat heaters front and rear.

Vince

 

[cruiserdan]

The seams can be re-stitched by an automotive upholstry shop. I need to get my driver's seat re-worked. A short while ago I kneeled on it to get in the back and it popped a seam.....

 

[hatfieldcb]

Thanks Dan! They're asking $17k. Kelly Blue Book puts it at around $15,350. We'll see. I've always wanted one and today my wife finally said,"Go ahead and buy one, I'm tired of hearing about it!!" (Of course in wife-speak that might mean "don't even think about it")

I'll keep you all posted.

Chris

 

[Lars]

Definately find out why they had the chain replaced. I cant imagine why, especially with just 86k on it.

I would be suspicious. I should have been a little more diligent before I bought mine. A few months later I was replacing the head gasket and a broken timing chain damper.

I would never buy another used vehicle without getting a cylinder leakdown test done.

 

[Romer]

Chris,

I think you live in Parker. You could have Toy Car Care on South Potomic (just so of Arapahoe Rd) look it over. Both Matt and I have dealt with them and they are a quality shop with reasonable prices. They could checkout the engine. They will check engine codes anytime for free for ya to.

By the way, what your wife said to you is what my wife finally said bout the FJ40. I acted quickly and when I came home with one she said, "I didn't think you would actually buy one." I said I was trying to listen to her more.

Good luck. You will enjoy the 80. I still wouldn't trade the 40 away for anything. It's nice having both.

Make sure it has lockers or I would pass on that price.

Ken

 

[hatfieldcb]

Thanks Ken,

I appreciate the words of support. The only sad part is I'll probably have to unload the pig in the long run. As soon as I get my project 40 built I won't need it as much. Although my wife said not to sell the pig "for a few years", we'll see.

I'll probably ask Christo to look it over, or Greg at the Toy Shop.

Chris

 

[sixsracing]

Maybe the repair wasn't actually done. A lot of people get told they need such and such done and they approve the job. This used to happen with earlier Subaru's all the time. When the models with timing belts came out there was such a demand to do timing belts in the these newer models that people with the older models that didn't have timing belts got suckered into paying to replace something they didn't even have. I have talked to first generation Altima owners that paid to have their timing belts done. When I explain there isn't one they get mad at me. It's a nice world.

From the sounds of it, these people get there work done at a local "service station" There aren't too many service stations in this neck of the woods qualified to pull something like that off without screwing it up.

 

[hatfieldcb]

The TD fell through today. The seller got "tied up" somehow. I think they are kind of flaky. Maybe Tuesday. I'll let you know. Sorry for all the chit-chat.

Chris

 

[Beowulf]

... today my wife finally said,"Go ahead and buy one, I'm tired of hearing about it!!" (Of course in wife-speak that might mean "don't even think about it")

Chris,

In wife-speak that means if you do buy one (which she's kinda OK with.... not thrilled though) then your summer project will be $12,000 of new floor in the house.



-B-