so looks like I have a good amount of slack on this timing chain. I haven’t read chain replacement being a fact of life with Toyota 4-cylinders outside of the 18/20/22Rs. I don’t hear a death rattle at startup - the only time I hear chain rattle is on WOT on-ramp runs or uphill occasionally. Has anyone had to replace a timing chain on a Toyota?
I consulted with @The Critic and we think the chance of the engine jumping time is good - I’ll drive the car as gingerly as possible until I can get the replacement done. My plan of attack - new OE chain and rails, the tensioner is in serviceable shape and it’s a simple hydro mechanical part actuated by oil pressure. The sprockets don’t look like they developed shark fin wear. I’m leery of the procedure to retime the engine. I’ll seal the cover with Toyota 103 FIPG or Permatex Right Stuff 90-minute Gray and fill the cooling system with Prestone Cor-Guard.
One thing I’m toying with - a intake cam swap. Someone on PriusChat said the intake cam off a Echo/Scion xA/xB/xD is a bolt-on power adder - the Prius cam has a long duration and closes late, while the Scion is a “normal” cam with shorter duration and closes at the end of the intake stroke. The Prius cam keeps the intake valves open into the compression stroke - Atkinson cycle.
I consulted with @The Critic and we think the chance of the engine jumping time is good - I’ll drive the car as gingerly as possible until I can get the replacement done. My plan of attack - new OE chain and rails, the tensioner is in serviceable shape and it’s a simple hydro mechanical part actuated by oil pressure. The sprockets don’t look like they developed shark fin wear. I’m leery of the procedure to retime the engine. I’ll seal the cover with Toyota 103 FIPG or Permatex Right Stuff 90-minute Gray and fill the cooling system with Prestone Cor-Guard.
One thing I’m toying with - a intake cam swap. Someone on PriusChat said the intake cam off a Echo/Scion xA/xB/xD is a bolt-on power adder - the Prius cam has a long duration and closes late, while the Scion is a “normal” cam with shorter duration and closes at the end of the intake stroke. The Prius cam keeps the intake valves open into the compression stroke - Atkinson cycle.