I have about 42k miles on it and I lost my s2000 shop manual but I was just wondering when the timing chain should be changed? Yeah I know how do you lose a manual that thick right? I heard from a previous honda mechanic that if it should break it will need a new engine? I forgot why but I think he says the valves drop or something. I'm also taking my car to the track tomorrow for the IRDC driving school hopefully anyone that has track experience can give me some advice to help me grow. Don't worry I'm not really the cocky type to argue back and forth so don't worry about long blogs of forum battles with me.

 

IIRC, timing chain is *at least* 100k

 

If the chain breaks, it would trash all the valves and pistons. But chains aren't belts. There is no recommended interval for changing it. It probably should effectively forever.

If you really want to worry about it, the way to inspect chains is to measure the "stretch". A new chain has a certain specified link-to-link distance. As chains wear, the pins and links wear a bit, and the length of the chain gets longer and longer as the pins and links get looser and looser.

 

....you're going to need the chain out to even hope to see a change in pitch (so at that point you could just as easily change it for wondering ) However, if you want to continue down that line of thinking, the easiest way to detect if the chain has stretched would be to look at the sprockets to see if the teeth are cupped out ...... in this case I guarantee you they're not, so don't sweat it Egg.

Have fun at the IRDC thing!

 

Eggsix, Enjoy the school in your S2k! Outside of the IRDC you'll find it hard to get track days at Kent without putting a roll-bar in your car.

I believe it's only alfa club that allows open top cars to lap without roll-bars? Correct me if I'm wrong class.

The school's are great because they are 2 days, typically, with a ground school then a track day. The track day isn't just lapping either. They do braking, slalom, and lift-throttle-oversteer training. It's great. The instructors are fantastic as well. If you can, find Ken Hill or Andrew Newell (if he's instructing) early and ask one of them to be your instructor. Both those guys are fast in the PRO3 BMW's have have lots of experience competing in Front engine, rear wheel drive cars!

Remember, this is a school, not just an experience. Read, study, learn, memorize and you'll be that much more capable behind the wheel!

Have fun!

 

I think the Alfa Club finally caved on the roll bar deal ..... but they are the last to still allow passengers

 

I think mine is wearing out. right at 70k miles. I can hear it rattling or making its unique sound when idling and starting up. I've watched the youtube videos of the rattling noise it makes as time goes now.

I guess that's the question, at what point is the noise bad enough where it needs to be replaced?

 

... you need a new Timing Chain Tensioner, not a new timing chain.
Easy 10 minute fix, the part cost about $150.

 

ah RT you're right. I was thinking one and the same, but now you called it out. I know exactly what you're talking about. What's the typical life of the tensioner? and is hardtop guy the cheapest place to get the parts?

 

Typical life seems to range all over the place from 10,000 miles to others with 80,000 miles on the clock and no problems yet weird deal