Timing Chain replacement on 5.7L at 276k?

Got some tough news from the local Toyota dealer that the P0014 code thrown by my 2010 5.7 4x4 was caused by the timing chain being stretched.
Looks like a full engine replacement would cost more than the $6k quoted for the timing kit.
Based on the dealer inspection, this is the only issue on the truck, so my hope is that the engine would be good for another 100k or so. It does feel risky putting that much cash into a high mileage engine, but I know these ones go a long time if cared for properly. And I don't want to give up on the truck yet.
Anybody else done a timing chain swap on a 2nd gen 5.7?
Thx

 

It happens, see if these help

https://www.tundras.com/threads/timing-chain-stretch.38764/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEwUC7cxGz8

 

Thanks! I'm going to get it done at the local Toyota dealer service department. Not cheap, but there are no other problems on the truck, so I'm hoping this will get me at least another 50-100k on the engine.

 

Be sure and tell them you want the old chain.

 

Absolutely will, thanks for the reminder.

 

To pair with his old, digital clock???

Flava-flav!!!

 

Good idea to ask for the chain, so you can compare the old chain to a new one.

Sorry to hear the news here. What has your oil change interval been? What do you believe may have caused the stretch?

 

@georgiey22 thank you - I bought it in mid Nov and it had a few k left before the oil change was due. It threw the code P0014 which relates to the timing being off, but this can apparently sometimes be caused by low oil pressure or a VVTi solenoid going bad. The VVTi solenoid was replaced, but the code kept coming back. That's when I took it to a Toyota place and they said they looked at it and saw it was stretched, but I wonder if they actually did because I'm sure it's a lot of labor to get access to the chain. I had the oil changed a few days ago with 5W30 synthetic and the code is not coming up anymore. I have no idea if Toyota actually did look at the timing chain or if they just saw the code and pushed their most expensive repair for that code. They thought the stretch happened from previous owners driving it rough. I do want to do some hauling and towing with this and feel like if the timing chain was in fact stretched, it would probably snap under those heavy duty conditions, so it's probably best to just get it done. I'm leaning toward that anyway, I love the truck.

 

If an oil change made the code go away AND there's no noise or other symptoms , get a second opinion from a different dealer/mechanic

 

@Wahayes good call. There are zero other problems so far and if the code doesn't come back I'll get a second opinion. Thx

 

Worth a shot but I have had on 2 separate occasions at work where a bad camshaft sensor has caused this code. Ideally if the chain was that stretched you would get a cam/crank correlation code not just over advanced. If I recall correctly bank 1 intake cam is the one with the actual pickup on the gear.

 

@BozickA88 I remember now they did mention something about a cam correlation code.

 

How about putting 0 - w20 in it and driving it 1000 miles and changing it. do that about 3 times, might clean the 4 chains and their tensioners since you are not the first owner, maybe the last guy did not change often enough.

 

@BozickA88 is a cam correlation code something only a Toyota diagnostics system would be able to read?
I had the same codes read at the small dealer that I bought it from but he said to put thicker oil in it, I don't know what kind of code reader he was working with.

 

No any code reader would give the code. P0016 or p0017

 

I'll second the correlation code.

The other thing missing here is 1) noise on start up after a long drain-down, and 2) if the stretch is bad enough to set a code then there would be drivability issues like loss of power and rough idle.

 

@blanchard7684 @BozickA88 thanks for the input.

I took a video of the engine on a cold startup - what do you think?

The P0014 code went away after an oil change (5W30 synthetic high mileage) and hasn't come back.
No loss of power and the idle is fine after it warms up after the first start of the day.

 

Earlier when I asked about the oil change intervals, this is what came to mind here. Wonder if the previous oil used was a non-approved API oil or way out of grade, or the wrong oil filter maybe, causing the codes. Engines sounds normal to me.

Not that this is good advice, but if it were me, I’d use a well known synthetic, correct grade, OEM oil filter and change every 3,000 miles, at least for a few oil change cycles. Learn what this nets you.

For what it’s worth, my last 1/2 ton, has 350,000 miles on it, used name brand oil, oem oil filter, changed every 5,000 miles and followed the basic Toyota service recommendations. Truck is still on the road, sold it to my Uncle and used it for contracting work.

 

@georgiey22 great advice, thank you - I should have changed the oil the day after I bought it. Currently Mobil 1 is in there but will definitely do a few cycles at 3k and find the OEM filter.

 

How’d the filter look when you pulled it?

 

@KNABORES I didn't do it, I took it to my local shop. They didn't say anything about it. The sticker from the previous change still had about 2k left to go before the next change was due.

 

Sounds normal to me. (Hard to hear anything over the fan in first couple seconds).

I agree on the 2nd opinion. An oil change ain’t gonna solve a beat up timing chain/gear/guides.

 

sounds fine.

it would be quite coincidental to have a stretched chain without a hint of chain rattle on start up ( from worn guides and hydraulic tensioners).

 

Come to think of it, after the Toyota dealer, I had the codes scanned by my local shop and they did not say there were correlation codes, only P0014.

 

If you have access to techstream, there is a test/control VVT function which can help you decide if the chain is stretched.

 

If you don't get the code anymore or any other symptoms indicating a problem, I wouldn't worry about pulling a load with it. The chain isn't pulling the load, it's just turning the cams. Stress on the chain is no different with or without the load.

 

UPDATE - the CEL returned a few weeks more after the oil change and kept returning after I cleared the same P0014 code, and I noticed a drop in fuel efficiency. I bit the bullet and took it in to a Toyota dealer service department for the total timing system replacement. Chains, dampers - everything. Got it back today and the difference is night/day- idles much quieter, the range on a full tank of gas is ~50 miles more than it was, overall a smoother ride. Was not cheap, but since it was the only problem on the truck, I am confident it will take me another 100k+ miles.
Thanks to everyone who shared their experience/opinions here -

 

What was the total cost and what exactly was replaced?

 

@Rocko9999 the chains, the tensioners, many gaskets, pulleys, etc. Was around $5800 and took 5 days. Truck still running great, very easily handled all of that crazy snow in the Northeast and some hauling.

 

I am just curious if you got a 2nd quote from any other repaiir facility?