enginehardsafety critical
A
AutoRepairCost TeamTiming Chain Replacement
Replace a stretched or rattling timing chain, guides and tensioner. Far more labour-intensive than a timing belt (8-15 hours) because the engine usually needs partial disassembly.
Labour Time
8-15 hrs
Difficulty
hard
DIY Possible
No
Frequency
150000-250000
Cost by Brand (AUD)
| Brand | Total | Labour | Parts |
|---|---|---|---|
| MG | $1200-$2400 | $600-$1200 | $0-$1800 |
| Chery | $1230-$2460 | $620-$1230 | $0-$1840 |
| Haval | $1245-$2490 | $620-$1240 | $5-$1870 |
| BYD | $1275-$2550 | $640-$1280 | $0-$1910 |
| GWM | $1275-$2550 | $640-$1280 | $0-$1910 |
| LDV | $1320-$2640 | $660-$1320 | $0-$1980 |
| Suzuki | $1350-$2700 | $680-$1350 | $0-$2020 |
| Mitsubishi | $1380-$2760 | $690-$1380 | $0-$2070 |
| Kia | $1395-$2790 | $700-$1400 | $0-$2090 |
| Hyundai | $1425-$2850 | $710-$1420 | $5-$2140 |
| Nissan | $1470-$2940 | $740-$1470 | $0-$2200 |
| Toyota | $1500-$3000 | $750-$1500 | $0-$2250 |
| Honda | $1530-$3060 | $760-$1530 | $0-$2300 |
| Mazda | $1575-$3150 | $790-$1580 | $0-$2360 |
| Jeep | $1680-$3360 | $840-$1680 | $0-$2520 |
| Ford | $1725-$3450 | $860-$1720 | $5-$2590 |
| Skoda | $1725-$3450 | $860-$1720 | $5-$2590 |
| Volkswagen | $1875-$3750 | $940-$1880 | $0-$2810 |
| Subaru | $1950-$3900 | $980-$1950 | $0-$2920 |
| Audi | $2250-$4500 | $1120-$2250 | $0-$3380 |
| BMW | $2400-$4800 | $1200-$2400 | $0-$3600 |
| Mercedes-Benz | $2400-$4800 | $1200-$2400 | $0-$3600 |
Tips
- ✓Replace the chain, guides, tensioner and oil-pump chain as a complete kit
- ✓A rattling noise on cold start is the classic worn-chain symptom
- ✓Regular oil changes extend chain life — sludge and low oil kill chains
- ✓Chains are designed to last the engine's life but do stretch and wear over time