2003 Avensis Timing Chain Snapped

[greenboy]

hi i have a 2003 avensis 1.8 petrol which is believed to have broken the timing chain so the aa say

i just wanted to know if this engine is interference or not many thanks

[Devon Aygo]

Yes the engine is interference, if the chain has snapped valves have most likely meet pistons.

[Konrad C]

Was there warning like a rattling chain. How much oil was in the engine and how often was it changed. How many miles has the engine done?

I ask these questions because some owners think the engine is better having a chain over a belt. My car has a belt which has been changed every 5 years ( never reach the 60000 miles). Yes it costs £140 the last time including replacement tensioner, but even if snapped my particular engine is non-interference.

The oil is very important to the overall condition of engine. Regular oil changes are a must, but some owners just don't care. I change my oil every 6 months on a 1998 car, owned since 2003.

Service history or some record is a must.

It will be cheaper to get a secondhand engine unless you know a good garage that can repair the valve & pistons. With the vvti known oil burning issue, it will be a lottery on the engine unless you can source a 2006 onwards engine.

Good luck