TIMING CHAIN NEEDS TO BE CHANGED?

2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
185,000 MILES • 2.7L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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BHAMDOC1
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No codes whatsoever, but it has a rattle at start up which I believe
is from the intake VVT, I bought it and was gonna replace it along with the tensioner, but I feel the chain is loose unless it is because the tensioner is weak or about to give up, how would I know whether it's a stretched chain or just the tensioner. Also, I tried to sign up the 2 yellow marks on the chain with the notch on the crankshaft pulley, several turns and I cannot sign them up.
Apr 25, 2026 at 11:46 AM
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STEVE W.
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The 2.7 has had issues with chain stretch over time. Especially at that mileage you would be better off doing the complete timing set and all the VVT units. The timing marks only line up in specific instances because of the chain link counts. When you install the chains correctly with the marks in time and rotate the engine the marks set up the link spacing between the pieces involved, by about the third rotation they will be misaligned. The idea is supposed to reduce chain wear and noise by changing the harmonics in the chain. However it makes checking the timing a pain as it takes like 200 turns before they line up again. FYI, try to use only OE parts as well, the aftermarket ones are all over the place on quality and it's not a job you want to redo in 2000 miles because of bad parts. Overall that engine looks pretty clean inside. Far better than some I've seen.
Apr 25, 2026 at 4:42 PM
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BHAMDOC1
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Ya i earned my lesson, no junk chains, tensioners or vvt, other parts maybe. Ordered the parts will see how it goes. Thanks
Apr 25, 2026 at 8:00 PM
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STEVE W.
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Let us know if you run into anything. Especially if you end up with bad parts. I post on a few other places with report cards on parts suppliers.
Apr 25, 2026 at 8:54 PM
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BHAMDOC1
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I asked other new questions but never got the verification email since the site changed
Apr 28, 2026 at 11:57 PM
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STEVE W.
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OK, Try it now that it should be operational. Still a few bugs to work out.
Apr 30, 2026 at 4:01 AM
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BHAMDOC1
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When I get the email like I did now which states there has been an answer and I click on it nothing happens, does not take me to the site or the question I have to go manually to the site and find the question.
Apr 30, 2026 at 12:54 PM
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STEVE W.
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OK, I'll pass that on. It looks like it isn't sending a link. Thank you for being patient and helping us get back up and running.
Apr 30, 2026 at 5:19 PM
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BHAMDOC1
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IT DID SEND LONKS WITH REPLIES, BUT THE LINK OPENS AN ERROR PAGES
May 1, 2026 at 8:46 PM
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STRAILER
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That is fixed now, all responses should open correctly now.
May 2, 2026 at 4:50 PM
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BHAMDOC1
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It still opens an error page. I manually went to see if any question has a reply but none do.
May 2, 2026 at 10:44 PM
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STEVE W.
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Be sure you are logged in, at the moment it doesn't seem to log you in if you just click the link. The site also doesn't seem to keep you logged in either. However I can see your replies and this original question.
May 3, 2026 at 8:21 PM