Minivan timing chain

As far as I know, it all depends on how religious you were with the oil changes - the better the environment, the longer the life. But as a rule timing chains get sloppy and make noise long before they fail - a good mechanic knows that sound and will tell you when it needs service.

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Yeah, it makes a sort of rasping/rattling noise, esp right at start up.

Actually, right around 250,000 is just about where you really want to think about it. Not as much for the chain (although it probably IS stretching) but more for the chain guides. These have a tendancy to break down right about where you are right now. If you do your own oil changes, keep an eye out for plastic chunks in the oil. If you have them done, ask whoever it is to strain the oil on the way out to look for chunks. Once the guides are gone, you might as well replace the chain...the chain is about $35-50 for the part, and only about another hour/hour and a half labor, since you're in there anyway...