3.1camaro

I am getting ready to move to Denver which is a long drive from Philly. My camaro is at about 93,000 miles and I am wondering if I should change it before I leave since it has never been changed. Thanks for the help.

Vortex_89rs

Just go with this popular theory and apply it for your chain:
If it ain't broken, don't fix it.

You don't need to mess with your chain unless it breaks. But if you are a multi-millionaire who needs to spend at least $50k a day to feel secure, I say go for it (YES A MILLIONAIRE WOULD OWN A V6 CAMARO!!!!).

Vman

------------------
1969 Camaro
383, Corvette heads, 700R4
Resto is in progress

1988 Toyota 4-Runner
aka the Parts Hauler

Previous owner of an 89 RS Camaro
2.8L V6, 700R4

3.1camaro

Yes, I know that saying. But I had a 3.8's timing chain go on me and the car never ran properly again until the engine got replaced. Plus if it is supposed to get replaced at 100,000 or so then I want to do that before I take this long trip rather then after or in worst case during.

Monkie

Never wait till something BREAKS to fix it. If the timing chain breaks Im sure it would **** your engine all to hell. How long have you had that chain on? If its been a while...I would say yes change it.

------------------
1992 Camaro RS 3.1L
T5 Manual 5 speed
Cold/RAM air intake
Z-28 Exhaust
8.5mm MSD Ignition wires
TB Coolant bypass

Soon to be a 3.8L turbo RS

AIM screen name - Stopsign696

Kills:

95 (****) Probe GT,94 Mustang GT,91 CRX (dont ask me why he raced me),2nd Gen Z28 (350) haha to you V8 guys!,1992 RS 305 TBI (good race),First Gen Integra, Old Escort LX
More to come

Grim Reaper

I've actually never seen a timing chain break on a SBC or there V6. But I have had many jump a tooth or two.

A broken "timing belt" (and I've seen those) on an OHC engine is the dangerous one, as the valves cease to move and the pistons end up bending the valves.

The risk you run if your timing chain jumps a couple of teeth is that the valve timing is so off, that you risk the piston slapping the valves and bending them or damaging the vavle train. But that too is kind of rare, almost all the times I've had a timing chain jump on me, the car just refused to start because the valves weren't opening at the correct time.

But here is a simple test of whether you should change your timing chain or not. Take the top of your distributor off and carefully watch the rotor while you turn the engine back and forth. If you can turn the crank more than 5* before you notice any movement in your rotor, your timing chain is stretched and should be replaced.

I should add, that timing chains seem to go faster on a manual car than an automatic. I believe it has a lot do with doing a lot more downshifts with a standard, which tends to stretch the timing chain.

Good luck.

CaliCamaroRS

i think you should be ok for the trip assuming the car hasn't been THRASHED. i just replaced my timing chain at about 141,000 miles. i popped the cover off only to find a VERY stretched chain AND a BROKEN tensioner. when you do decide to replace the chain, if you are not familiar with 60 degree block, you have to replace the tensioner. my dumbass learned it the hard way.(i started my weekend project WITHOUT buying the tensioner....didn't even know it had one...SBC's don't have em . anyways, unless you go to the dealer, you have to special order the tensioner from pep boys or whoever.)

------------------
Dan
1990 3.1L RS
80 Series Flowmaster
It's fast(er than a 3 cyl metro)

TomP

I also say you should replace the chain as soon as you get a chance. I think I replaced mine around 180k miles or so.

I used the Cloyes true-dual-roller $90 chain, which does not re-use the stock tensioner. (Simple reason: The cogs are too large for the tensioner to fit back into place.)


------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

Monkie

Ive seen a timing chain break. My friend works at a shop and he says it cost big dollars to fix it after the chain has broken. SO, I wouldnt hessitate to change it. I changed mine when I had my tune up.

------------------
1992 Camaro RS 3.1L
T5 Manual 5 speed
Cold/RAM air intake
Z-28 Exhaust
8.5mm MSD Ignition wires
TB Coolant bypass

Soon to be a 3.8L turbo RS

AIM screen name - Stopsign696

Kills:

95 (****) Probe GT,94 Mustang GT,91 CRX (dont ask me why he raced me),2nd Gen Z28 (350) haha to you V8 guys!,1992 RS 305 TBI (good race),First Gen Integra, Old Escort LX
More to come

91dave

I would not even bother if it goes do not waste your money on a nother chain, get the gear drive kit, and dont worry about it again, they are not that much more money and not much more diff. to install

Monkie

Im not sure but Ive asked on here if they made a gear drive for the V6s and I got nothing but "no"s. so.......

Ghost Ryder

I have a 1991 Camaro RS with the 3.1L V6 in it, its had some serious issues that have been resolved, everything from manifold gaskets to sensors and electrical. Some of the repairs I have done myself, others I have a trust worthy local garage do my repairs. I recently had a distributor put in and when the garage called today that my car was done they told me that I have a loose timing chain.

Im still familiarizing myself with the 3.1L, what causes this to stretch? How soon should I get the timing chain replaced? How difficult for a amateur mechanic would it be if I decided to do the job myself? The car has about 106,500 miles on it, Ive only had it a couple of years and have driven it very little, far as I know its the original timing chain.

Thanks for any help and suggestions.

Six_Shooter

iTrader: (2)

Start a new thread. Or just search through old posts and read what people have to say.

Please don't pull up threads that are 18 years dead.