timing belt or chain?

[CAPRICEONE]

Hey gang,
My Bro has a Sunfire (95? / 4cyl, 5 speed). He's been told he needs a tensioner and it sounds expensive. Does this thing use a timing belt or a chain? If a belt; what's the recommended interval for replacement?
Sorry, the question may sound lame but I don't have the car near or any experience with same.
Thanks for any input.....
Jim

[GTP Dad]

It would help to know what size the engine is and what the actual problem is with the engine. If the vehicle has a serpentine belt then it will be an easy fix. They cost about $30 and are on the outside of the engine. Will take a few minutes to change. If it is a tensioner for a timing belt then the engine probably isn't running very well or at all. If it has a timing belt it should be replaced every 60K miles. If it has a timing chain it probably will outlast many parts of the car. I would suspect that the tensioner is for the serpentine belt and won't cost a lot to fix. PS. Who told you it is the timing belt tensioner anyway?

[CAPRICEONE]

Thanks for the reply, "Dad".
From the price quoted (over $400) we're assuming they're referring to a timing belt tensioner. I wanted to be sure that A) the thing has a belt and B) Will they put in a new belt while they're in there. In which case did they include a belt in the quote?
Also, has anyone removed the accessory drive belt(s) to eliminate the serp belt tensioner as the source of noise? I hate long distant diagnosis but don't want my brother to get hosed.
I'll get the engine code and we'll go from there.
Thanks................

[GTP Dad]

First of all Neither of the engines specified for the 95 Sunfire have a timing belt. They both have a timing chain. Parts for the change including chain and tensioner are around $50 at Autozone. Even if you change the serpentine belt at the same time it would be very hard to approach $350 in labor to do this job. I would take the car to several shops to get other quotes as I think you brother is getting hosed big tim on this one. I have a Ford Escort that has a timing belt that I just replaced the guy only charged me $64 in labor to replace it (took him 2 hours) and the belt cost $22. I don't know where you live but labor rates certainly don't cost $175 per hour. On the second question, the serpentine belt tensioner should not be causing a lot of noise, it is possible that the bearing is going bad. They are only about $30 to $50 to replace. Once again, shop around for another shop and tell the other guy to pound sand. Of course you could always do the work yourself if you feel inclined to do and have the proper tools.

[johnwar1]

I have a 1997 sunfire with the 2.2 auto 120k miles it is making a knocking noise and the mechanic says my timing chain is about to break and it will cost about $500.00 to fix. Does this sound right? Is it hard to replace a timing chain on this?

Thanks for any help

[klixie3]

Originally Posted by johnwar1

I have a 1997 sunfire with the 2.2 auto 120k miles it is making a knocking noise and the mechanic says my timing chain is about to break and it will cost about $500.00 to fix. Does this sound right? Is it hard to replace a timing chain on this?

Thanks for any help

I have the 1997 sunfire 2.2 liter also and I have about 127,000 on it and I was just in an accident and the tensionor for my timing chain broke and the chain snapped after it got jammed. The mechanic told me it would be $525 to fix and that was $150 in parts and $375 in labor. It's not too hard if you have a little time to fix it. Just go to autozone and get you a chilton or haynes and you can fix it.

klixie

[hotbug1776]

the engine will say "quad 4" on the engine cover if it is the 2.3L and nothing if its the 2.2L also, the 2.3L has the air cleaer on the front of the motor, and the 2.2L is on the back. 2.3L is DOHC (dual overhead cam) so it has a tensioner and 3 guides (two on the sides and one on the top, tensioner down by the crank)

when replacing ANY of the components on the 2.3L it's best to do the sprockets and chain as well as the tensioner and guides to keep everything wearing the same. $400 covers the timing chain kit for the quad from the dealer, not including install, and the whole passenger side of the motor has to be removed to get the chain out. in fact it almost takes removing the motor to do.

the 2.2L has a V8 style chain since the cam sits just above the crank, it uses a crank and cam sprocket with a tensioner and a guide IIRC. you might be able to replace it with just the inner fenderwell removed, since it uses a small cover plate like the v8's

[matt09524]

I have a problem with a mechanic who says the timing CHAIN is about to break. I would want to see what makes him think this. Like Dad said earlier, chains do indeed outlast most parts in your car. I have not even touched mine since I owned the car 50k miles ago and I don't think I will need to for however long I own the car.