timing chain replacement

Jan 03, 2004 3 Replies
M

I am considering replacing the timing chain and gear set for my 95 Dodge Intrepid 3.3 liter. The reason I am considering doing it is I am "in that area", pulling all the parts needed to replace the water pump so the way I figure is if it isn't too much trouble, since the car does have 123k miles, a timing chain and gear set replacement would be in order.



My question is the following: the haynes manual says to first pull the oil pan before taking off the timing chain cover but is this really necessary?



The reason I ask this is because in order to pull the oil pan, the haynes manual says to take off the starter, take off the driveplate cover whatever that is and remove the anti sway bar or at least unbolt it and push it back and remove some transmission brackets, which is a heck of alot just to pull an oil pan!



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S

"mZ" wrote

It's quite a bit more work to pull the front cover off. Replacing the water pump is not really "in that area" other then the fact that the water pump is up front. Unless you are having problems that you can trace to the timing chain, I wouldn't bother.

To do the job properly, yes.

Ian

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N

Labor time to replace water pump; .8hrs Labor time to replace timing chain and sprockets; 4.4hrs

So, I guess it all depends on what you consider "in that area" and "if it isn't too much trouble."

Yes, it is necessary. The engine oil pump is driven off of the crankshaft snout, the pump itself is integral to the timing chain cover, the oil pick-up bolts to the timing chain cover. IOWs, that -is- the correct procedural sequence.

Compared to the oil pan in a Ford E-150-250-350 van with a V-8, its's a cake walk.

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