Hey MEP,

Did you survive the tidal surge's?

we've got a Panda Cross that's now done 82k on a 10 plate, so big miles, but runs really well. I've asked for the chain to be changed and been told it doesn't need it. Now I've been on this site to check and looks like we should get it done ASAP.. Don't have the time or technical expertise myself, so anyone know how much this costs to get done at a stealer or indi?
Ta Will

madrat said:

Hey MEP,

Did you survive the tidal surge's?

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I did thank you, was actually in Norwich that evening for works Christmas bash, but luckily we're not in a low level flood risk part of Lowestoft, we're fairly high up

I've got a 57plate MJ with 87,000 miles on the clock, so I'm very interested in this !
The 1.3 MJ engine has a great reputation, but obviously there have been some cam chain failures. The engine is put in vans where it is likely to have a hard life and do some serious galactic distances.
My thought is that most MJs do huge mileages without changing the chain, so could there be a primary fault that cases the chain to fail.
You mention the dealer did some engine work but obviously it couldn't have been a DPF clean as it hasn't got one.
I'm wondering if another fault has caused the engine to run badly which has worn the chain over a long period
Has the car always had its oil changed with the correct grade of synthetic at the correct intervals?
I'm still on the original brake pads so I don't want to replace the cam chain before the pads and discs !

dawesy said:

we've got a Panda Cross that's now done 82k on a 10 plate, so big miles, but runs really well. I've asked for the chain to be changed and been told it doesn't need it. Now I've been on this site to check and looks like we should get it done ASAP.. Don't have the time or technical expertise myself, so anyone know how much this costs to get done at a stealer or indi?
Ta Will

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I got my timing chain done by a Fiat Alfa specialist for £450 in January.

interesting posts, keep 'em coming all.

I've been a bit quiet as have had to sort alternative wheels, however, have now started to strip bits to get access to the chain (front wheel and associated gubbins off) I'll get around to posting findings but given my experiences s far, trust your instincts and get these chains changed as well as the tensioner.

Don't know if it's true but I'm sure there was a problem with the tensioners on some of these engines. Wife had to get her chain changed at about 65.000, the noise it was making was atrocious. That was on a 500, mechanic said it was a rotten job to do.

The smoke test which is part of the MOT on Diesels intentionally puts the engine under some stress - I'm wondering if anyone has actually had a chain break during the test?

Timing chains have always been a relatively weak link in an engine - I can recall our family Daimler slipping a chain in 1966, much to my grandfather's disgust. It had only done about 45000 miles from new at the time. And that was a then state-of-the-art triplex chain in a pushrod engine. Nothing broke, (the chain just slipped 1 tooth), but it was an engine out job to replace the chain & sprockets.

At least with belts, folks generally have a mindset to change them periodically - and they're usually easier to do than chains.

That said, my R5 (which has a chain driven camshaft) was still going strong when I sold it after 227000 miles - and that never had a single bolt undone on the engine/gearbox, apart from the rocker box to adjust the tappets.

jrkitching said:

That said, my R5 (which has a chain driven camshaft) was still going strong when I sold it after 227000 miles - and that never had a single bolt undone on the engine/gearbox, apart from the rocker box to adjust the tappets.

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Exactly, mums mk1 Yaris now has 175K(ish) on the clock with the origional chain, and runs without issue