Timing Chain 2017 D4-300 R29

Mastercraft

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 4, 2020
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362
Fluid Motion Model
R-29 S
Does 2017 R29 D4-300 have a timing chain (not belt) that is designed to last life of engine. ChatGPT says timing chain and engine will last at least 4,000 hours. Comments?
My engine has been a used 1,200 hours at an average of 10 knots.
My engine is D4-300 and there were very few of them put in 2017. Most were smaller, D4-260? So do I just keep cruising and hope that I have fun and no bad timing chain days. I have had two bad timing chain days in vehicles, yet both times the engine survived due to 1970's American steel engines that weren't zero valve clearance. One failure was at 60 mph. I am all for foreign engines until it's a bad timing chain. Does the D4-300 have zero valve clearance?
 
Here’s what I was told about the D4 which is one of several factors I was considering when deciding between buying the C-28 (D4) over the RT 27 Classic (D3). The D4-260 in my C-28 is just a lower output ECU tuning of the D4-300.
“The VP D4 timing chain is designed to last the engine's lifetime (often 10,000+ hours) but is not maintenance-free. While typically durable, failure can occur due to stretching or tensioner wear, usually presenting as rattling noises. Proper oil maintenance is crucial to ensuring the chain lasts, rather than replacing it at a set interval.”
I’m just about to replace the accessory serpentine belt on my D4-260 due to age - not any observable issue.
 
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Two years ago, at the recommended belt replacement interval, I had my mechanic check it for wear, cracks, or checking, and he said it still looked really good. So I decided to hold off a couple more years.

Now I’m planning to do the replacement this year, I'll just replace everything at once: timing belt, serpentine belt, tensioners, and the water pump/impeller. I’ve been quoted about $2,300. parts and labor. D3 engine.
 
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