new to board thinking insights the car for me

[Yves M.]

I did a quick search for timing chain replacement, it shows

Telltale signs of worn out timing chains are:
Rough idle.
Sluggish performance and poor economy.
Sudden engine performance change including the inability to start the engine.
Intermittent backfire through the intake manifold.
Inconsistent ignition timing or a clattering noise coming from the front of the engine.

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/doityour ... 42702a.htm

On an other site is says:
"there are no recommended chain replacement intervals published"
"timing chains do stretch with age and may cause noise, retarded valve timing and/or ignition timing"

I personnaly feel that 100K miles is about time for replacement

[Insightful Trekker]

Originally Posted by Yves M.

<snip>

I personnaly feel that 100K miles is about time for replacement

Good links and symptoms Yves, thanks

Most of the driveability symptoms listed have multiple causes. And only result in cases of a chain in an _advanced_ state of wear. IMO the best indicator will be abnormal noise. Although it's still too early to "see" if some other Insight timing chain pattern failure will present itself first. AFAIK no Insight has had or needed a chain replacement... yet.

I more than suspect your feelings will change once you check the cost of replacement <VBG>

Its unusual for a camshaft chain drive to fail without reasonable warning. But the consequences of failure is usually more catastrophic ($$$) than a timing belt. More damage done to the engine chain housing casting, possible requiring replacement (its gotta be oil tight). I would suspect that well over 200K miles is likely as a service life, but with all things automotive YMMV.

HTH!