The current cost of replacing a car’s timing chain is typically between $1,600 and $2,000. That’s a significant cost, but the timing chain is a critical component of the internal combustion engine. When it fails, it’s important to replace it as soon as possible.
Here’s an in-depth look at what the timing chain does, how to know when it needs to be replaced, and the cost to replace a timing chain.
Key Points
• The average cost to replace a timing chain ranges from $1,600 to $2,000, with potential additional costs for related parts.
• The timing chain synchronizes the camshaft and crankshaft, ensuring valves open and close at the correct times.
• Signs of a failing timing chain include difficulty starting, engine misfires, vibrations, and rattling sounds.
• Factors affecting the cost of replacement include the car’s make and model, labor costs, and the need for additional parts.
• Timely replacement is crucial to avoid severe engine damage, which can lead to more expensive repairs or engine replacement.
What Is a Timing Chain?
To understand what the timing chain does, it helps to know how the internal combustion engine works. This type of engine has pistons, which sit inside the cylinders, that drive the crankshaft. A mixture of fuel and air is injected into the cylinder and ignited by the spark plug. The resulting combustion pushes the piston, and the exhaust exits the cylinder.
The camshaft helps time the intake of fuel and exhaust, and the timing chain helps coordinate the movement of the camshaft and the crankshaft. This ensures the intake and exhaust valves open and close at the right time.
New vehicles likely have a timing belt rather than a timing chain. The function of the timing belt is the same, but they run more quietly, they’re stronger, and they potentially do less damage if they snap.
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What’s Included in Timing Chain Replacement?
There are a number of other components surrounding the timing chain, including the tensioners and guides that hold the chain in place. These are replaced at the same time as the timing chain, as are the crankshaft and camshaft sprockets, since they tend to wear out at the same rate as the timing chain.
When to Replace a Timing Chain
Timing belts tend to wear out sooner and more often than timing chains, which may last for your car’s full lifetime. Experts suggest that you might need to replace your timing chain at 80,000 to 120,000 miles, especially if you experience the warning signals below.
Timing Chain Warning Signs
If your vehicle is getting older, there are signs you should be on the look for that could signal your timing chain needs to be replaced.
It’s Difficult to Start the Vehicle
If your timing chain breaks, your engine will not start. If the timing chain snaps while you’re driving, your engine may fail. Other components may be damaged, and you could end up needing to replace your engine. As a result, it’s very important that you stay on top of warning signs your chain is failing.
The Check Engine Light Is On
If there’s something wrong with your timing chain, your check engine light should come on. The light won’t tell you specifically what’s wrong with your engine, but it will let you know that it’s time to have your car looked at by a mechanic.
The Engine Is Sluggish or Misfires
If your timing chain is wearing out, it could skip a gear on the camshaft or the crankshaft. When it does, your engine may accelerate poorly or even misfire.
The Engine Vibrates or Shakes When Idling
A failing timing chain could cause your engine to vibrate or shake because components may not be lining up properly. It may be easier to feel these vibrations while the engine is idling than it is when you are driving your car. Rattling sounds can also be caused by a loose timing chain.
What Happens If You Don’t Replace the Timing Chain?
A failing timing chain will cause poor engine performance because the intake and exhaust valves may not open and close correctly. As a result, you may not be getting complete combustion, and your car may not accelerate properly or you may experience misfires in the engine that cause stuttering.
If your timing chain breaks, your car will not start. If you’re driving, your engine may fail, which could put you in a dangerous position, especially if you’re driving on the highway, for example.
If the timing chain snaps while the engine is on, it could cause damage to other engine components. For example, the valves and pistons could hit each other, which could cause the valves to break and cause damage to the pistons.
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How Much Is Timing Chain Replacement Cost?
On average, the cost to replace a timing chain is about $1,600 and $2,000 as of 2025. But it may not just be a matter of how much a timing chain is. If you have to replace a related part, like the timing chain tensioner (which keeps the chain tight) as well, that could add $1,000 to the job.
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What Impacts the Cost to Replace a Timing Chain?
There are a number of factors that play into the cost of replacing your timing chain, including:
Make and Model of Your Car
Most older cars have a timing chain. You can get timing chains that are generic and built to fit as many cars as possible, and they tend to be relatively inexpensive. However, your car may require a higher-quality chain, in which case it will cost you more to replace it. The type of timing chain you need comes down to the make and model of your car.
Cost of Labor
Replacing a timing chain will usually take a mechanic between five and eight hours. Compensating your mechanic for this time will be a large component of cost. Exact timing will depend on the make and model of your vehicle and how complicated the set up and replacement is on your specific vehicle.
Parts That Need to Be Replaced
Often, other parts will need to be replaced, too, along with the timing chain. The tensioners (as mentioned above) and guides that hold the chain in place and the crankshaft and camshaft sprockets will likely be replaced at the same time as the timing chain, for example. The cost of these parts and time to replace them can increase your overall bill.
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The Takeaway
Your timing chain is a critical component in your engine. As your car ages, it’s important to watch out for warning signs that it needs to be replaced to avoid engine failure and costly damage to nearby parts. Unfortunately, replacing your timing chain is expensive. It’s typically between $1,600 to $2,000. If you’re looking for ways to make room in your budget for replacement costs, consider refinancing your auto loan.
If you’re seeking auto loan refinancing, SoFi is here to support you. On SoFi’s marketplace, you can shop and compare financing options for your car in minutes.
FAQ
Is it worth it to replace a timing chain?
Yes. Your timing chain is critical to a properly functioning engine, so if it’s failing, you must replace it.
Can you drive with a damaged timing chain?
Driving with a damaged timing chain is not recommended. If it snaps while you’re driving, for example, your engine will fail. A snapped chain can also cause damage to other parts of your engine. If the damage is severe enough, you could end up having to replace the entire engine.
How many hours does it take to replace a timing chain?
It usually takes between five and eight hours to replace a timing chain.
Photo credit: iStock/Stadtratte
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