🔧 Town & Country - Timing System Service

Your Town & Country’s 3.6L engine uses a timing chain, not a timing belt. Chains are oil-lubricated and usually last a long time, but if the chain, guides, or tensioners wear, it can cause rattle on startup, misfires, or timing-related fault codes.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 10-16 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Let the engine cool completely before draining coolant.
• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable to prevent accidental starts.
• ⚠️ Support the vehicle with jack stands; never rely on a jack.
• ⚠️ Support the engine from below when mounts/brackets are loosened.
• ⚠️ Keep timing components clean—dirt in the timing cover can damage the engine.
• ⚠️ If timing is set incorrectly, the engine may be damaged when cranked.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Drain pan (at least 10-quart)
• 1/4" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• Torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs range)
• Torque angle gauge (specialty)
• Socket set (8mm-21mm)
• Deep socket set (10mm-21mm)
• E-Torx socket set (E10-E14)
• Torx bit set (T20-T40)
• Serpentine belt tool
• Harmonic balancer puller kit
• Camshaft/crankshaft timing locking tool set (specialty)
• Gasket scraper
• Plastic trim tool
• Pry bar
• Shop rags
• Brake cleaner
• Funnel

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Timing chain kit (primary chain, secondary chains, guides, tensioners) - Qty: 1
• Timing cover gasket set - Qty: 1
• Front crankshaft seal - Qty: 1
• Water pump gasket (if water pump removed) - Qty: 1
• Thermostat housing gasket (if removed) - Qty: 1
• RTV silicone sealant (engine front cover spec) - Qty: 1
• Engine coolant (HOAT-compatible for your Town & Country) - Qty: 2-3 gallons
• Engine oil (5W-20) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Crankshaft pulley bolt (one-time-use stretch bolt) - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
• Disconnect the negative battery cable using a 10mm socket.
• Raise the front and support with jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Place a drain pan (at least 10-quart) under the radiator drain area.
• Take photos as you go. They help a lot during reassembly.
• Specialty tool note: A timing locking tool set holds the cams/crank in the correct position so the engine can’t “slip time.”

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Drain coolant and remove basic access parts

• Place the drain pan (at least 10-quart) and drain coolant.
• Remove the engine cover (pull up) and any intake ducting using a socket set (8mm-21mm).
• Remove the upper radiator support components as needed using a socket set (8mm-21mm).

Step 2: Remove the serpentine belt and front accessories

• Relieve belt tension with a serpentine belt tool and remove the belt.
• Remove accessory brackets/fasteners that block the timing cover using socket set (8mm-21mm) and E-Torx socket set (E10-E14).
• Move components aside without stressing hoses/wiring; use plastic trim tool for clips.

Step 3: Support the engine and create working room

• Support the engine with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) and a block of wood on the oil pan.
• If an engine mount/bracket must come off for cover clearance, remove fasteners using a socket set (8mm-21mm).

Step 4: Remove the crank pulley (harmonic balancer)

• Remove the crankshaft pulley bolt using a 1/2" drive breaker bar and appropriate deep socket set (10mm-21mm).
• Use a harmonic balancer puller kit to pull the pulley off smoothly.
• Important: Do not pry against the timing cover sealing surface.

Step 5: Remove the timing cover

• Remove perimeter bolts using a socket set (8mm-21mm) and E-Torx socket set (E10-E14).
• Carefully separate the cover using a plastic trim tool and light pressure from a pry bar only where the cover has pry bosses.
• Clean old sealant from mating surfaces using a gasket scraper, shop rags, and brake cleaner.

Step 6: Set engine to the correct timing position and lock it

• Rotate the engine by hand at the crank using a socket set (8mm-21mm) and 1/2" drive breaker bar until timing marks align.
• Install the camshaft/crankshaft timing locking tool set (specialty).
• Definition: “Timing marks” are factory reference points that ensure the cams and crank are synchronized.

Step 7: Remove chains, guides, and tensioners

• Release and remove tensioners using a socket set (8mm-21mm).
• Remove chain guides using socket set (8mm-21mm) and Torx bit set (T20-T40) as applicable.
• Remove the chains, keeping note of routing; use shop rags to keep parts organized.

Step 8: Install new chains, guides, and tensioners

• Install new guides using socket set (8mm-21mm) and Torx bit set (T20-T40).
• Route the new chains exactly as the kit instructions specify, aligning colored links to timing marks.
• Install new tensioners using a socket set (8mm-21mm), then set/arm them per kit instructions.
• Double-check marks before releasing tensioners.

Step 9: Verify timing by hand-rotating the engine

• Remove the locking tools, then rotate the engine by hand 2 full revolutions using a 1/2" drive breaker bar.
• Recheck timing marks and re-install the camshaft/crankshaft timing locking tool set (specialty) to confirm alignment.
• If marks do not align, stop and correct before proceeding.

Step 10: Re-seal and reinstall the timing cover

• Install a new front crankshaft seal into the timing cover if separate; use even pressure by hand and appropriate socket as a driver from your deep socket set (10mm-21mm).
• Apply RTV silicone sealant at specified joints and corners, then install the cover with a socket set (8mm-21mm).
• Tighten fasteners evenly using a torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs range).
• Torque note: Fastener torque specs vary by bolt location/size on this job—use OEM service torque specs for your exact fasteners.

Step 11: Reinstall crank pulley and accessories

• Reinstall the crank pulley and install a new crankshaft pulley bolt.
• Tighten the crank bolt using a torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs range) and torque angle gauge (specialty).
• Torque note: This bolt is torque-to-yield (stretch type). Follow OEM torque + angle procedure exactly.
• Reinstall brackets/accessories using socket set (8mm-21mm) and E-Torx socket set (E10-E14).
• Reinstall the serpentine belt with a serpentine belt tool.

Step 12: Refill fluids and reassemble

• Refill coolant using a funnel and the correct engine coolant.
• Change oil and filter using socket set (8mm-21mm), then refill with 5W-20.
• Reconnect the battery negative cable using a 10mm socket.

---

✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and listen carefully for abnormal rattles; a brief lifter tick can be normal after sitting, but loud chain rattle is not.
• Check for coolant leaks around the timing cover area and hose connections.
• Watch engine temperature on the dash; top off coolant after the first full heat cycle (cool down completely first).
• If the check engine light comes on, scan codes and address them before driving far.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $1,800-$3,500 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $350-$900 (parts only)

You Save: $1,450-$2,600 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 10-16 hours.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.