Home › Repairs › Engine

How Much Does Timing Chain Replacement Cost?

Updated October 2026 By RepairCostLab Editorial Team

Expect to pay $860 to $2,620 at an independent shop for a typical car, and up to $3,460 at a dealership. Timing chains are designed to last the life of the engine, but stretched chains are common on some engines. Because the chain sits inside the engine, this is a labor-heavy job.

Parts$200–$700
Labor$660–$1,920
Shop time6–12 hours
DIY difficultyPro only (5/5)

Estimate your cost

Vehicle type Where you'll get it fixed Your area

–estimated total

Parts –

Labor –

Time –

Ranges cover aftermarket to OEM parts and typical book labor times. How we calculate this.

Timing Chain Replacement cost by vehicle type

Vehicle	Parts	Labor	Total
Compact / economy car e.g. Civic, Corolla, Elantra	$200–$700	$660–$1,920	$860–$2,620
Midsize sedan / crossover e.g. Camry, Accord, RAV4, CR-V	$230–$805	$725–$2,110	$955–$2,915
Truck / full-size SUV e.g. F-150, Silverado, Tahoe	$260–$910	$760–$2,210	$1,020–$3,120
Luxury / European e.g. BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Lexus	$360–$1,260	$860–$2,495	$1,220–$3,755

Independent shop, average US labor rates. Full kit with chains, guides, tensioners and gaskets.

Independent shop vs. dealer vs. chain

Where	Hourly rate	Typical total
Independent shop	$110–$160	$955–$2,915
Chain (Midas, Firestone…)	$120–$175	$1,020–$3,115
Dealership	$160–$230	$1,285–$3,840

Shown for a midsize sedan or crossover.

What does it do?

Like a timing belt, the timing chain keeps the crankshaft and camshafts in sync. It runs in oil inside the engine instead of under an external cover.

Signs you need this repair

Rattling noise for a few seconds after a cold start
Check engine light with cam/crank correlation codes (P0016–P0019)
Rough running or misfires
Metal flakes in the engine oil

Can you do it yourself?

Difficulty: Pro only (5/5). Requires removing the front of the engine and precise timing. A shop job.

Doing it yourself saves the labor portion, roughly $660–$1,920, so you would pay only for parts ($200–$700).

Is it worth fixing?

On a car you plan to keep, yes: a jumped or broken chain can wreck the engine. On a high-mileage car worth little, compare the quote with a used engine or replacement car.

How to save money

Change oil on schedule: dirty oil is the leading cause of stretched chains.
Replace the water pump at the same time if it is driven by the chain.
Get a second opinion: a noisy tensioner alone is much cheaper to fix.

Questions to ask your mechanic

Is it the chain, the tensioner or the guides that are worn?
Did you check for cam/crank correlation codes or measure chain stretch?
Does the quote include a new water pump if it is behind the timing cover?

Asking for a written, itemized estimate (parts, labor hours and hourly rate) is your right in most states and makes quotes easy to compare.

Frequently asked questions

Timing belt vs timing chain: which is better?

Chains last much longer and rarely need scheduled replacement; belts are quieter and cheaper but must be replaced at set intervals.

How long does a timing chain last?

Often 150,000+ miles, though some engines are known for early stretch.

Can a stretched chain damage the engine?

Yes. If it jumps a tooth or breaks on an interference engine, the valves can be destroyed.

Related repair costs

Sources and methodology

Estimates combine typical book labor times, current aftermarket and OEM parts prices, and 2026 US shop labor rates. See exactly how we calculate them.

Found a price that looks wrong for your area? Tell us: we review every correction.