butchsterling

How much work is involved in changing the timing chain on a 95 cavalier with a 2.2L? Someone told me you have to pull the motor, is that right? The car is running good but has 135000 miles on it so I think it should be replaced.

ct98z24

Why? Just because you think you should? The timing chain is not like hondas where it is a belt. The chain is a multilink so it is pretty hefty. Does your owners manual or does the dealer suggest a replacement at a certain mileage? If not, don't waste your time or money.

millrtime

way to much trouble to just replace on a whim.....wait til it breaks to change it. as ct said, its an actual chain, not a belt and i have only heard of 1 timing chain ever breaking under regular conditions, and that was in a 87 caprice with a 305.....soo.....wait til it breaks, it wont help anything and resetting the timing is a bitch no matter what car it is.

PulledOverAgain

The timing chain will most likely start making a lot of noise first. The engine will sound like a diesel almost. That's due to the tensioner going bad. Even if you do break the chain, the 2.2 isnt an interference motor, so it wont damage anything internally if it does.

butchsterling

Thanks Pulled over again, thats what I was worrying about was trashing the head if the chain jumped or broke. I drive the car 160 miles a day to work and back and was leary of it going out and trashing the motor. Thanks for your post.

batmobile78m

Not a maintenence item.

You'll know when it goes. Mine went at 195,000. Starts to click, loss of power and then the tensioner breaks. About $700-800 if someone does it. Mostly labor. Lots of stuff to take out before you even get to it