# Timing chain - 1998 Toyota Corolla

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-chain-1998-toyota-corolla/44414>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** corolla, toyota, timing-belts\
**Created:** [February 13, 2010, 9:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-chain-1998-toyota-corolla/44414 "2010-02-13T21:47:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![sstern23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/db5fbb/32.png) [@sstern23](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sstern23)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2010, 9:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-chain-1998-toyota-corolla/44414/1 "2010-02-13T21:47:00Z")

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I have a 1998 Toyota Corolla, stick with 155,000 miles. I’ve heard different stories about the need to change the timing chain: Toyota says no, but a Toyota service technician and my mechanic say yes. For the last four years the motor has sounded like a mariachi band. My mechanic says this is because the guide pieces are broken and the chain may hop a cog.  
  
  
  
 What should I do?

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2010, 9:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-chain-1998-toyota-corolla/44414/2 "2010-02-13T21:53:20Z")

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The timing is replaced when it starts making noise. And yes, if one of the chain guides falls and gets between the timing chain and the lower gear it could jump time.

Tester

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**Author:** ![sstern23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/db5fbb/32.png) [@sstern23](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sstern23)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2010, 11:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-chain-1998-toyota-corolla/44414/3 "2010-02-13T23:33:39Z")

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Ok- Tester, thanks. I guess I’ll have to suck it in and get the thing replaced.

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**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2010, 11:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-chain-1998-toyota-corolla/44414/4 "2010-02-13T23:35:07Z")

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Has someone actually verified that the mariachi music comes from the vicinity of the timing chain? If so, then I would certainly do it.

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**Author:** ![sstern23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/db5fbb/32.png) [@sstern23](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sstern23)\
**Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 1:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-chain-1998-toyota-corolla/44414/5 "2010-02-14T13:37:23Z")

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Well, when you open up the hood, it’s pretty clear the noise is coming from the font of the engine. I’m going to ask him if he also thinks it could be the valve rocker arms.