Thread: TD5 Timing chain replacement

Mine was replaced at 270k but that was part of a total engine rebuild. The chain that came out of mine had no visible wear though, it was just not an expensive part to put in while the engine was in bits anyway. I know of a few that have gone over 400k with the original chain.

I wouldn't think that you'd need to touch it unless the engine was already having some major work done to it. Chains generally are not like timing belts with regular required replacement intervals.

I didn't think they needed changing either.

Not all TD5s are equal the 10P and 15-2?P have different timing chains and guides.

My 99 td5 did 400,000 km on what seemed to be the original chain. Thought it was in need of replacement .turned out to be the harmonic Balancer

I have known many a car back in the 70's to have chains that were worn to the point of rattling and they never broke. In my 33 odd years of car repairs chains were a very reliable part of an engine.

So in my opinion for what it is worth, I would not be worrying about it.

Having said that my son's EL Falcon recently broke one, which is rare but we found a bolt that has come from somewhere and there is evidence of it lodging between chain and cam gear.

Originally Posted by d2dave

Having said that my son's EL Falcon recently broke one, which is rare but we found a bolt that has come from somewhere and there is evidence of it lodging between chain and cam gear.

The Falcon I6 from EA to AU is well known to brake one of the chain guides, but this seems to have little effect on the chain and most will still keep going fine! As you've stated in your case it wasn't really a fault of the chain but rather the bolt lodging in there.