Can the new technology determine when the timing chain should be replaced? On 2008 RSX Acura.

 

Acura stopped making the RSX in 2006. My '02's got 210k miles on it, and I'm not getting any noise from the timing chain area. I'd worry about the tensioner before I worried about the chain, but as far as I know mine is still original as well.

But this is from the factory service manual:

Cam Chain Inspection:

1. Remove the front wheels.
2. Remove the splash shield (see step 24 on page 5-5).
3. Remove the drive belt (see page 4-43).
4. Remove the cylinder head cover (see page 6-28).
5. Remove the crankshaft pulley (see page 6-13).
6. K20A2, K20Z1 engines: Remove the oil cooler hose joint pipe from the water pump (see step 9 on page 6-14).
7. Disconnect the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor connector and variable valve timing control (VTC) oil control solenoid valve connector (see step 10 on page 6-15).
8. Remove the VTC oil control solenoid valve (see page 11-321).
9. Support the engine with a jack and wood block under the oil pan.
10. Remove the ground cable, and remove the upper bracket (see step 13 on page 6-15).
11. Remove the side engine mount bracket (see step 14 on page 6-15).
12. Remove the chain case (see step 15 on page 6-15).
13. 13. Measure the tensioner rod length between the tensioner body and bottom of the flat surface section on the tensioner rod. If the length is over the tolerance, replace the cam chain and oil pump chain.

Tensioner Rod Length ServiceLimit: 13.5mm(0.53in.)

[there's a picture illustrating where to measure, but I can't copy it from my .pdf]

14. Check the chain case oil seal for damage. If the oil seal is damaged, replace the chain case oil seal (see page 6-24).

15. Remove all of the old liquid gasket from the chain case mating surfaces, bolt and bolt holes.

16. Clean and dry the chain case mating surfaces.

17. Apply liquid gasket, P/N 08717-0004, 08718-0001, 08718-0002, 08718-0003, or 08718-0009, evenly to the engine block mating surface of the chain case (see step 12 on page 6-19).

18. Apply liquid gasket to the engine block upper surface contact areas on the chain case and lower block upper surface contact areas on the chain case (see step 13 on page 6-19).

19. Apply liquid gasket, P/N 08717-0004, 08718-0001, 08718-0002, 08718-0003 or 08718-0009, evenly to the oil pan mating surface of the chain case (see step 14 on page 6-19).

NOTE: Do not install components if too much time has passed after applying the liquid gasket (for P/N 08718-0002, no more than 4 minutes; for all others, no more than 5 minutes). Instead, remove the old residue and reapply the liquid gasket.

20. Install the new O-ring on the chain case. Set the edge of the chain case to the edge of the oil pan, then install the chain case on the engine block (see step 15 on page 6-20). Wipe off the excess liquid gasket on the oil pan and chain case mating area.

NOTE:
• When installing the chain case, do not slide the bottom surface on the oil pan mounting surface. • Wait at least 30 minutes before filling the engine with oil.
• Do not run the engine for at least 3 hours after installing the chain case.

21. Install the side engine mount bracket (see step 16 on page 6-20).

22. Install the upper bracket and the ground cable (see step 17 on page 6-20).

23. Install the VTC oil control solenoid valve (see page 11-321).

24. Connect the CKP sensor connector and VTC oil control solenoid valve connector (see step 20 on page 6-21).

25. K20A2, K20Z1 engines: Install the oil cooler hose joint, using a new O-ring (see step 21 on page 6-21).

26. Install the crankshaft pulley (see page 6-13).

27. Install the cylinder head cover (see page 6-29).

28. Install the drive belt (see page 4-43).

29. Install the splash shield (see step 25 on page 5-16).

30. Install the front wheels.

31. 2005-2006 models: Do the CKP pattern clear/CKP learn procedure (see page 11-5).