Topic: Timing chain replacement - 95 2.5

[DirtyGirl]

Bought my YJ toy a couple of weeks ago. Sounded like the exhaust was leaking at the manifold - replaced two broken studs and the gasket (it had just the intake gasket, new gasket covered both intake and exhaust). On to the next noise...

Took it to a fellow Jeep enthusiast's auto repair business, and he used a stethoscope to determine the source. It's a consistant knocking noise at the front of the engine. He believes that the timing chain has stretched and is slapping around inside of the cover. About 3-4 hours to replace, plus parts. Total around $300.

I thought about doing it myself, but decided to pay them to do it. Do you think the estimate is reasonable? It sounds like it is to me. I know that the oil pan will have to be dropped in order to change the tensioner. It's labor-intensive work. I'd rather enjoy my weekend than screw with it.

Also found that the passenger-front u-joint is bad, and the steering box seal is leaking.

Jeep has 139,000 miles on it, and is otherwise in pretty good condition for the age.

Michelle in Northern Illinois

[Jeffy]

I've never replaced a timing chain on the 2.5 before but figuring in around $65-75 an hour and $30 in parts, it's about right.  (3-4 hour job.)  If you've got a FSM then you should be able to replace the cain yourself.  You won't have to change deal with timing since you'd be leacing the stockets in place.  You'd also need to drain the radiator and remove the water pump, I think.  You might ask if he can cut you a deal if you help him.  Otherwise, I'd just do it myself.  $300 is a lot that could be used for other things.

[DirtyGirl]

From what I've read, the water pump does not have to be removed. In order to replace the tensioner, the oil pan needs to be dropped. I read another forum were someone said that to drop the oil pan requires the exhaust to be dropped, and the starter removed.

Getting at the front of the engine is no big deal - that huge fan shroud can be removed and a person can practically stand in the engine bay. :)

Anyone out there changed a chain in the 2.5? Am I making more of it than it is?

I agree.. $300 can be spent elsewhere (like cool accessories for my perfectly running toy... haha)

[Jeffy]

Ok, I went and looked it up since I haven't done one on a 2.5 before.  You don't need to drop the pan unless you really want to.  Here are the steps to remove the cover.

Remove vibrations damber and pulley
Remove the fan and hub assembly and remove fan shroud
Remove Accessorry drive  brackets that are attached to teh timing case cover
Remove the oil-to-pan timing case cover bolts and cover to cylinder block. Remove the timing case cover front seal and gasket.
Cut off the oil pan end tabs and oil pan front seal tabs flush with the front face of the cylinderblock.  Remove gasket tabs.

Ok, I remember this now.  Basically you're remove the timing case cover without dropping the pan, you then use RTV and a new.  I think it's easier if I just send you some picturtes from the FSM, since I don't think you have one.  It sounds a bit complicated but shouldn't take more then half a day if you take your time.

[DirtyGirl]

The problem is the 2.5 has a chain tensioner, which should be replaced along with the chain. In order to replace the tensioner, you need to drop the pan. (According to what I read.)

[Jeffy]

[Jeffy]

If you do do it yourself, take a bunch of pictures and we can make a tech article out of it.

[DirtyGirl]

I'm in a car club for the other vehicle I own, and have written up a few tech articles for repairs and mods I've made. So, yah.. I will definitely do that...

Looks like I will have to call Autozone and borrow a few tools. :)