Timing chain
Toyota · Lexus · 2009 onwards. Chain-driven and famously durable. Spend inspection time on the hybrid battery cooling fan and inverter coolant instead.
Commonly Prius, Auris, Corolla, CT200h (2009 onwards). Engine codes changed through production, so confirm the code on the car in front of you before ordering parts or quoting the job.
The 1.8 VVT-i Hybrid (2ZR-FXE) used by Toyota, Lexus (2009 onwards) runs a timing chain. Chain-driven and famously durable. Spend inspection time on the hybrid battery cooling fan and inverter coolant instead.
There is no scheduled replacement interval for a chain. Judge it on cold-start noise, fault codes and oil-service history instead.
Expect roughly £800-£1,600 at a UK independent garage, depending on whether the water pump and tensioner go in at the same time and how much has to come off to reach the belt. Main-dealer quotes usually sit above that range.
On an interference engine the valves and pistons meet, which usually means a cylinder head at best and a replacement engine at worst. That is why an unproven timing history is a price conversation, not a detail.
Commonly Prius, Auris, Corolla, CT200h (2009 onwards). The list is not exhaustive and engine codes changed through production, so confirm the exact code on the car in front of you before ordering parts or quoting work.
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