2003 (Gen III) - To Change or not to Change (Timing chain)

TexasTorred · Jan 14, 2013

Yes, did try a search first, but just didn't get close to the answer(s) I needed.....so now drawing among the amazing, wonderful talent out in ViperLand! (Yes, buttering you all up.)

Question:
I have a 2003 with about 12,500 on the odometer. Heard different things from different people ref: "timing chain replacement"

Yes, did check the manual and didn't see anything (mileage or age specific)?

Obviously, I'll never reach the mileage associated with other cars requirements to change the timing chain (60K, 90K, 120K), but my beloved SRT10 is 10 years old now! Is there an 'age' whereby----it is mandatory to go ahead and bite the bullet and change the timing chain??? Sure this isn't cheap either.........change the water pump at the same time, etc? etc?

Most I've spoken to have said it is rare to unheard of for the 8.3L 'chain' to come lose/apart. Fairly bullet proof engine. I'm hoping someone chimes in and says.....don't worry about the chains age, as it is a 'chain', not a 'belt' and changing it is based off of mileage only???

Enlighten me please oh Viper community....Help a Texan--out. There's still some driving weather left

Greg

ViperGeorge · Jan 14, 2013

At 12,500 miles your engine is still new. Why change the timing chain? I wouldn't.

Steve M · Jan 14, 2013

I don't know of any modern push-rod powerplant that requires regular timing chain replacements. If you were having a shop take care of it, it likely wouldn't be cheap. Personally, I wouldn't even think about it. The mileage is more important than the time for that particular component, and your mileage is barely past the engine break in period.

Now, if it was 12,500 miles of banging off the rev limiter every time you turn around, it might be a consideration. Reminds me of a story I heard about someone with a C4 ZR-1 Corvette that couldn't figure out why the timing chain in her motor broke, only to find out that her normal cold start-up routine was to turn the engine on and immediately mat the gas to redline to clear everything out.

Flexx91 · Jan 14, 2013

First time I've ever heard of changing out a timing chain at ~13k miles. A ten year old timing belt maybe but for Vipers, that irrelevant.

TexasTorred · Jan 14, 2013

Ok, thanks for the responses!

Glad they all seem to be 'mileage based' as opposed to 'age based'. And yes, my car is driven like the old fogey I am

But I feel so YOUNG when I drive it! Love the car!

greg

Green viper 1 · Jan 14, 2013

If its not broke don't fix it

Dom426h · Jan 14, 2013

When i went to replace the timing cover gasket on my GTS(97) a couple years ago i was at around 60K miles. I figured since i was changing all the other recommended gaskets in there while the whole front end was taken apart it might be wise to swap the timing chain at the same time. As always, i gave the Wizard a call to get his opinion. He assured me it was not necessary. When the timing cover was pulled and i saw the massive double-chain exposed i immediately understood why. I don't see that short beefy chain ever breaking. (famous last words though, lol

)

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Dom426h · Jan 14, 2013

Compare that to a DOHC Audi motor. LOL

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or a simpler Ford DOHC...

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Steve M · Jan 14, 2013

Dom426h said:
Compare that to a DOHC Audi motor. LOL

or a simpler Ford DOHC...

And those two examples are why I qualified my statement to pushrod motors only...those DOHC motors have some serious timing chains.

TexasTorred · Jan 14, 2013

Wow, thank god for pushrod motors. Thought most DOHC engines utilize 'belts'.......I would have thought the Audi and Ford motors pictures would use belts.........That Audi engine looks like fun-times for the DIY timing belt(s) install........Thanks Dom426's for the picture. It does look fairly short and beefy...

I'd say, I'll revisit this issue after the car is 20 years old with 25,000+ miles on it----and even then may be too soon.

Greg

Allan · Jan 14, 2013

Your Viper will need a timing chain replacement never. .........Tires, usually 2 or 3 sets a year.

Sonoman · Jan 14, 2013

There is a serpentine belt on the Gen 3 that should be changed periodically, since it is rubber. Not a timing chain but an accessory drive for the alternator, power steering pump, A/C compressor, and water pump. This part is only about $30 and I just replaced mine last summer. It was suprisingly easy to change once I figured out a way to deflect the spring-loaded belt tensioner, which applies a significant preload to the belt and keeps it from slipping. Now that I've done the job twice, the belt change takes less than 25 minutes, so even at a dealer it should be cheap to have it done.

HOLLYWOOD1 · Jan 15, 2013

TexasTorred said:
Yes, did try a search first, but just didn't get close to the answer(s) I needed.....so now drawing among the amazing, wonderful talent out in ViperLand! (Yes, buttering you all up.)

Question:
I have a 2003 with about 12,500 on the odometer. Heard different things from different people ref: "timing chain replacement"

Yes, did check the manual and didn't see anything (mileage or age specific)?

Obviously, I'll never reach the mileage associated with other cars requirements to change the timing chain (60K, 90K, 120K), but my beloved SRT10 is 10 years old now! Is there an 'age' whereby----it is mandatory to go ahead and bite the bullet and change the timing chain??? Sure this isn't cheap either.........change the water pump at the same time, etc? etc?

Most I've spoken to have said it is rare to unheard of for the 8.3L 'chain' to come lose/apart. Fairly bullet proof engine. I'm hoping someone chimes in and says.....don't worry about the chains age, as it is a 'chain', not a 'belt' and changing it is based off of mileage only???

Enlighten me please oh Viper community....Help a Texan--out. There's still some driving weather left

Greg

I don't know who or where that came from but the timing chain would be one of the last things to ever worry about. This is not a belt driven twin O/H cam cam motor....stay away and drive it.

TexasTorred · Jan 15, 2013

HOLLYWOOD1 said:
I don't know who or where that came from but the timing chain would be one of the last things to ever worry about. This is not a belt driven twin O/H cam cam motor....stay away and drive it.

Thanks....gives me piece of mind....definitely enjoy driving it!!!

TexasTorred · Jan 15, 2013

Sonoman said:
There is a serpentine belt on the Gen 3 that should be changed periodically, since it is rubber. Not a timing chain but an accessory drive for the alternator, power steering pump, A/C compressor, and water pump. This part is only about $30 and I just replaced mine last summer. It was suprisingly easy to change once I figured out a way to deflect the spring-loaded belt tensioner, which applies a significant preload to the belt and keeps it from slipping. Now that I've done the job twice, the belt change takes less than 25 minutes, so even at a dealer it should be cheap to have it done.

Thanks for the heads-up. Yes, did all fluids, serpentine belt and the best mod ever.....replaced the runflats

TexasTorred · Jan 15, 2013

Allan said:
Your Viper will need a timing chain replacement never. .........Tires, usually 2 or 3 sets a year.

Thanks my frorums' master.....On 2nd set of tires now

Nittos are MUCH better than the OEM runflats---

Allan · Jan 15, 2013

........it's supposed to be 'fums'...............or 'frums' ......

..................Anyway, the Nitto's are great on the street!

viperbilliam · Jan 17, 2013

TexasTorred said:
Wow, thank god for pushrod motors. Thought most DOHC engines utilize 'belts'.......I would have thought the Audi and Ford motors pictures would use belts.........That Audi engine looks like fun-times for the DIY timing belt(s) install........Thanks Dom426's for the picture. It does look fairly short and beefy...

I'd say, I'll revisit this issue after the car is 20 years old with 25,000+ miles on it----and even then may be too soon.

Greg

I have about 30K miles on mine - no issue at all. Maybe after a 100K miles the chain might stretch a little and affect the timing some.

TexasTorred · Jan 18, 2013

viperbilliam said:
I have about 30K miles on mine - no issue at all. Maybe after a 100K miles the chain might stretch a little and affect the timing some.

Thanks....Looks like you have an '05 commemorative edition--nice. I figure yours is 8 years young and 30K---I'm good to go for many years to come.

Allan · Jan 18, 2013

TexasTorred said:
Thanks....Looks like you have an '05 commemorative edition--nice. I figure yours is 8 years young and 30K---I'm good to go for many years to come.

.....The tires,.....What about the tires?...........You should be worried about changing the tires.

TexasTorred · Jan 22, 2013

Allan said:
.....The tires,.....What about the tires?...........You should be worried about changing the tires.

Still "relentless" on the frorums.....

Allan · Jan 22, 2013

TexasTorred said:
Still "relentless" on the frorums.....

..................................'fums' -with all due respect sir.

2003 (Gen III) - To Change or not to Change (Timing chain)

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