Timing Chain Maintenance

[lady3bglover]

Hello Tech...

 

I have a '02 Silverado Step Side, 5.3l V8. I believe that I have a timing chain. And I was told that when maintaing the timing the water pump must be taken care of.

 

The truck has 90k miles on it. I've already change the plugs, wire, changed my air filter to K & N. What else should I have done to the truck? I have the Hypertech Programmer, and I'd like to have the truck maintained before I programmed.

 

Thanks for your time.

 

Lisa

[Mr. Smith]

Hello Tech...

 

I have a '02 Silverado Step Side, 5.3l V8. I believe that I have a timing chain.  And I was told that when maintaing the timing the water pump must be taken care of. 

 

The truck has 90k miles on it. I've already change the plugs, wire, changed my air filter to K & N.  What else should I have done to the truck?  I have the Hypertech Programmer, and I'd like to have the truck maintained before I programmed.

 

Thanks for your time.

 

Lisa

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

Timing chain is not a normal maintenance item. Drive it till it needs a rebuild, and you are maybe halfway there.

[Wingnut]

Yeah, I wouldn't touch the water pump either...At least not until it goes bad.

[Giant]

So let me get this straight.

 

Timing Belt = replace at a regular interval or die by the hands of the timing belt nazis.

Timing Chain = run it until the engine blows up and use the same one in a rebuild because its finally gotten broken in.

 

I have a car with a belt and I'm guessing my 5.7L yukon has a chain. Just want to know when to replace them.

 

Thanks

[C & A s Dad]

Robert, most engines with a belt are "interferance engines" meaning if the belt breaks the valves hit the pistons and make a real mess. Most belts need replacing at 60K and some are recommended to go 100K. Some engines with chains are overhead cam engines and these chains are very long and route through several gears, idlers and tensioners. The small block Chev that you have and the 5.3L and others in this series do not have overhead cams and the chain only runs on 2 gears, the Crankshaft and the Camshaft and this chain is very short, approx 18 to 20" if it were laid out straight compared to the OHC chains that could be several feet long. Not to say that the chain in your engine cannot break, but it is highly unlikely. They will typically run for the life of the engine and if they do go bad, they usually stretch out and can jump a tooth on the gear. This is what is commonly referred to as "jumped time."

 

This engine design is one of the reasons that I am still driving a GM V8. GM has taken a tried and true design and is producing as much or more HP and TQ than Ford and the Imports with their multiple overhead cams, 4 valve per cyl, high reving V8s and all the while getting better MPG. They have done this with only 2 valves per cyl and one camshaft. You also do not have to rev our V8s to the moon to get to the power band. Some may say this design should have been abandoned years ago, I say, 1 camshaft and 16 valves is the only way to go for me.

[pwall]

This engine design is one of the reasons that I am still driving a GM V8. GM has taken a tried and true design and is producing as much or more HP and TQ than Ford and the Imports with their multiple overhead cams, 4 valve per cyl, high reving V8s and all the while getting better MPG. They have done this with only 2 valves per cyl and one camshaft. You also do not have to rev our V8s to the moon to get to the power band. Some may say this design should have been abandoned years ago, I say, 1 camshaft and 16 valves is the only way to go for me.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

There's something to be said for 'simple design'.