DB9 - Timing Chain service interval

[Jonty355]

Hi, I'm in the process of leaving Ferrari ownership and getting myself into an Aston Martin DB9, hopefully a manual.

One of the things I've been wondering about though is the timimng chain and when its required to be changed? I've done some searches and nothing seems to come up with when it would be scheduled for? Can anyone shed any light please? Also what costs are involved.

Also, if anyone has any buying tips on what to look for when buying it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Jonty

[Neil1300r]

For buying tips etc, you need to buy the Bible

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

DB9 manual - quite rare.

[michael gould]

it's a timing chain and not a belt so should last 100k+miles with no time limit. Not heard of one being changed on this forum

[roughrider]

If you look at images for "aston martin v12 timing chain" on a google search, you'll see they are very robust engineering. I would say that they would outlast any other general engine wear issues. I don't think they would be classed as a service item.

[BamfordMike]

As stated by others, chain is neither a service item nor something that is known to go wrong, but I'm sure there is the odd example out there of tensioner failure.


is engine out job to replace.

do check for signs of DB9 / V12 engine 'tick' which is bottom end problem, or hydraulic lash adjuster rattle which is top end problem. Both of these care points are not commonplace but do occur. Its interesting to look at the number of DB9 on Ebay where advert states new engine fitted!

[Jonty355]

Thanks for the replies. May have seemed like a dumb question but had heard of chains needing replacing on some other cars, and I'm that used to having to have the engine removed on my F355 every 3 years to do the cambelt service. It seemed like it was almost too good to be true.

So come on, someone tell me what the catch is on these things. Apart from the above mentioned top or bottom end problems, are there common things that can cost big money? One of the reasons I'm moving away from Ferraris is that I was sick of the constant bills for running them!

What is the Auto box like? I seem to remember being in one a while ago and it was a bit lazy. Should I end up with a Semi-auto, is there anything that can be done to make it a little bit quicker?

[AMDBSNick]

Jonty355 said:

What is the Auto box like? I seem to remember being in one a while ago and it was a bit lazy. Should I end up with a Semi-auto, is there anything that can be done to make it a little bit quicker?

There is no Semi-auto in a DB9 just a traditional torque converter auto with paddles. Many on here use the paddles and love them. D is good for when you want to eat a McDonalds whilst driving

[Jonty355]

AMDBSNick said:

There is no Semi-auto in a DB9 just a traditional torque converter auto with paddles. Many on here use the paddles and love them. D is good for when you want to eat a McDonalds whilst driving

Ah, definitely don't want an Auto then if its a Torque converter..... despite the usefulness of being able to eat a Maccy D's at the wheel.

Must be a manual for when I take to some twisties.

[AMDBSNick]

Jonty355 said:

AMDBSNick said:

There is no Semi-auto in a DB9 just a traditional torque converter auto with paddles. Many on here use the paddles and love them. D is good for when you want to eat a McDonalds whilst driving

Ah, definitely don't want an Auto then if its a Torque converter..... despite the usefulness of being able to eat a Maccy D's at the wheel.

Must be a manual for when I take to some twisties.

Then buy a DBS

[Jonty355]

AMDBSNick said:

Jonty355 said:

AMDBSNick said:

There is no Semi-auto in a DB9 just a traditional torque converter auto with paddles. Many on here use the paddles and love them. D is good for when you want to eat a McDonalds whilst driving

Ah, definitely don't want an Auto then if its a Torque converter..... despite the usefulness of being able to eat a Maccy D's at the wheel.

Must be a manual for when I take to some twisties.

Then buy a DBS

Sadly my budget isn't allowed to stretch to that of a DBS. Otherwise I would love one!

[AMDBSNick]

Jonty355 said:

Sadly my budget isn't allowed to stretch to that of a DBS. Otherwise I would love one!

I see McGurks have a manual. Our DB9V came from there, a great guy to deal with.

Edited by AMDBSNick on Tuesday 14th October 15:14

[Jonty355]

AMDBSNick said:

I see McGurks have a manual. Our DB9V came from there, a great guy to deal with.

Edited by AMDBSNick on Tuesday 14th October 15:14

Yeah I've seen that one. Its in my preferred colour too, although would prefer a non black interior. Theres a nice one too at Aston Works in County Durham, although not a fan of the wheels one that one. They can easily be changed though.

I need to flog my Ferrari 308 GTB first before I can buy, unless they're interested in a PX.

[Byteme]

Jonty355 said:

Thanks for the replies. May have seemed like a dumb question but had heard of chains needing replacing on some other cars, and I'm that used to having to have the engine removed on my F355 every 3 years to do the cambelt service. It seemed like it was almost too good to be true.

So come on, someone tell me what the catch is on these things. Apart from the above mentioned top or bottom end problems, are there common things that can cost big money? One of the reasons I'm moving away from Ferraris is that I was sick of the constant bills for running them!

What is the Auto box like? I seem to remember being in one a while ago and it was a bit lazy. Should I end up with a Semi-auto, is there anything that can be done to make it a little bit quicker?

It's not a dumb question at all, in recent years many manufacturers have had problems with timing chains stretching, largely due to their length. In most cases, long before any noise is audible, valve timing errors are introduced and detected by the camshaft position sensors causing the EML to illuminate. Fortunately this isn't problem on a DB9 but in this general area oil leaks are quite common and some cars generate noise from the oil pressure relief valve during cold starts which is in no way detrimental. Both are usually addressed at the same time.

Overall these cars are pretty much bullet proof and in most cases repair bills are very reasonable. None of the parts are particularly expensive.

[AMDBSNick]

Jonty355 said:

Yeah I've seen that one. Its in my preferred colour too, although would prefer a non black interior. Theres a nice one too at Aston Works in County Durham, although not a fan of the wheels one that one. They can easily be changed though.

I need to flog my Ferrari 308 GTB first before I can buy, unless they're interested in a PX.

John sold me my 355 when he was at Graypaul

[Jonty355]

Byteme said:

Overall these cars are pretty much bullet proof and in most cases repair bills are very reasonable. None of the parts are particularly expensive.

Thats good to know, I think I owned my 355 through the time when 'common faults' occur. Made ownership very expensive at times, but then I guess it was getting old too, and Italian bits can be very expensive yet so poorly made!

[Jonty355]

AMDBSNick said:

Jonty355 said:

Yeah I've seen that one. Its in my preferred colour too, although would prefer a non black interior. Theres a nice one too at Aston Works in County Durham, although not a fan of the wheels one that one. They can easily be changed though.

I need to flog my Ferrari 308 GTB first before I can buy, unless they're interested in a PX.

John sold me my 355 when he was at Graypaul

Are we talking about a guy that works at Aston Works or McGurk?

[AMDBSNick]

Jonty355 said:

Are we talking about a guy that works at Aston Works or McGurk?

John McGurk used to work for Graypaul Ferrari. My guess is he would be all over your 308 if its a decent one. Call him, you have nothing to lose

[JONMcG]

Jonty355 said:

AMDBSNick said:

I see McGurks have a manual. Our DB9V came from there, a great guy to deal with.

Edited by AMDBSNick on Tuesday 14th October 15:14

Yeah I've seen that one. Its in my preferred colour too, although would prefer a non black interior. Theres a nice one too at Aston Works in County Durham, although not a fan of the wheels one that one. They can easily be changed though.

I need to flog my Ferrari 308 GTB first before I can buy, unless they're interested in a PX.

Hi Jonty,

Would love to hear about your 308, give me a call!

JM

[BamfordMike]

Byteme said:

Overall these cars are pretty much bullet proof and in most cases repair bills are very reasonable. None of the parts are particularly expensive.

This is not sound advice to inform those new to the brand / the older new era Gaydon cars imho.

There are certainly care points to check for, and if not inspected for at point of purchase, runs the risk of buying a car that needs a tidy sum to repair later on. To brush over these points with the sweeping generalisation made here means eyes closed going into purchase which is not good.

To avoid all these simply buy a PPI from any reputable company, if not its like buying a house without structural survey.

On the subject of common snags, there are a few to watch out for;
engine front cover leaks
hydraulic lash adjuster check
bottom end 'tick'
AC condenser leak
Coolant radiator core ballooning
trans pipes and cooler matrix leaks
clutch operation, check its not too heavy (clearly manual only, is a very old style twinplate,)
Wishbone bush creep (very common on cars even under makers warranty)
check a car hasn't eaten its consumables (tyres, brakes, battery as if low on all is a £2k spend)
Door modules work perfectly
DIM (driver information Module / display) functions correctly
Dampers not leaking fluid onto body
light units not showing any condensation
tyre wear / (geo is out on most cars i come across)
for volante, check many times complete roof operation
paint bubbling
Oil breather circuit pipes failed
Misfire - needs coils

As for keeping on the road and parts prices, some are acceptable, others are sky high in comparison to car makers, again, the sweeping generalisation that "None (not 1) of the parts are particularly expensive" is far from correct.
Thermostat, a simple old fashioned type thermostat which on most other cars is <£60, for DB9 is £135.48. A headlamp should 1 LED fail is approx £1k, a DIM should that fail approx £1500 - AM/FM module approx £800. It is entirely possible that any car at any age can suffer a part failure where the part is anything but "particularly inexpensive", new owners should be ready for such a spend and set aside a pot of cash or buy a warranty policy

[BravoV8V]

Byteme said:

It's not a dumb question at all, in recent years many manufacturers have had problems with timing chains stretching, largely due to their length. In most cases, long before any noise is audible, valve timing errors are introduced and detected by the camshaft position sensors causing the EML to illuminate. Fortunately this isn't problem on a DB9 but in this general area oil leaks are quite common and some cars generate noise from the oil pressure relief valve during cold starts which is in no way detrimental. Both are usually addressed at the same time.

Overall these cars are pretty much bullet proof and in most cases repair bills are very reasonable. None of the parts are particularly expensive.

So says the recognised marrque specialist, Byteme? Oh no, sorry, I'm mistaken. We are dealing with someone here who hasn't either owned an Aston Martin or even worked on one, as far as we can ascertain.

To the OP - you are better off ignoring Byteme's advice. He is no better than a common garden troll. Listen to what BamfordMike has to say. He is a recognised marque specislist (as well as being an ex-AM development engineer etc etc).