Toyota Land Cruiser 200: 1VD-FTV timing chain elongation & cam timing drift
1VD-FTV timing chain elongation & cam timing drift is a very common engine fault on the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 on the 2007–2021 cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs ≈A$4,140 to ≈A$7,360 at independent workshop rates, shown as an approximate guide in Australian dollars. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 33 documented faults on the Toyota Land Cruiser 200.
- Vehicle
- Toyota Land Cruiser 200
- Only on
- Bi-Turbo / twin-turbo
- Engine
- 1VD-FTV
- Years
- 2007–2021
- Fuel
- diesel
- Gearbox
- auto
- System
- Engine
What you are looking at
Example of the part — not this vehicleThe front of a twin-cam engine with the timing cover off — chain, sprockets and guides.
What goes wrong
The 1VD-FTV 4.5L twin-turbo V8 diesel is well documented for timing chain stretch at high mileage, typically evident beyond 150,000 km. Elongated chains cause cold-start rattle on the driver-side front of the engine that dissipates after oil pressure builds. As stretch progresses, cam timing drift triggers MIL codes P0016/P0017/P0018/P0019 (cam-crank correlation faults) and retarded timing reduces power and economy. Left unaddressed, a jumped chain can cause catastrophic valve-to-piston contact. The fault is identical in mechanism to the well-documented LC70 V8 diesel chain issue. Toyota Australian dealers report this as one of the most frequent 1VD-FTV repairs on high-odometer examples.
What you would notice
- Metallic rattling from front of engine on cold start, clearing within 30-60 seconds
- MIL codes P0016, P0017, P0018 or P0019 stored
- Reduced power output and fuel economy
- Rough idle following cold start
- Engine management light illuminated
How to check it
Where to look. Front of engine, timing chain cover — driver-side bank primary chain and secondary chains both at risk
Cold-start the engine from fully cold and listen at the front-left of the engine bay for a pronounced chain rattle before oil pressure builds. Scan for cam-crank correlation DTCs. Ask for full service history and odometer. At 150,000+ km, treat as a budgeted repair if no evidence of recent chain replacement.
What it costs to put right
≈A$4,140 to ≈A$7,360 at independent workshop rates, shown as an approximate guide in Australian dollars. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.
Ask the seller
- “Has the timing chain kit ever been replaced, and do you have workshop receipts?”
- “Has the engine ever shown a check engine light related to cam or crank sensor codes?”
- “When was the last full service and what was the mileage?”
Now check the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 you are actually looking at
Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car still has money owing on it, has been written off or reported stolen, what kms it showed in past sale ads, whether it has had accident repair claims and what it is worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate and its state for the A$17.90 Vehicle Check, or the full history from A$24.99.
Where this comes from
Toyota Land Cruiser 200 buyer questions
Is 1vd-ftv timing chain elongation & cam timing drift serious on a Toyota Land Cruiser 200?
We rate it critical and very common on the Toyota Land Cruiser 200. The 1VD-FTV 4.5L twin-turbo V8 diesel is well documented for timing chain stretch at high mileage, typically evident beyond 150,000 km. Elongated chains cause cold-start rattle on the driver-side front of the engine that dissipates after oil pressure builds. As stretch progresses, cam timing drift triggers MIL codes P0016/P0017/P0018/P0019 (cam-crank correlation faults) and retarded timing reduces power and economy. Left unaddressed, a jumped chain can cause catastrophic valve-to-piston contact. The fault is identical in mechanism to the well-documented LC70 V8 diesel chain issue. Toyota Australian dealers report this as one of the most frequent 1VD-FTV repairs on high-odometer examples.
How much does it cost to fix on a Toyota Land Cruiser 200?
≈A$4,140 to ≈A$7,360 at independent workshop rates, shown as an approximate guide in Australian dollars. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.
Which Toyota Land Cruiser 200 years are affected?
Our research records this fault on the 2007–2021 Toyota Land Cruiser 200. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.
How do I check for it before I buy?
Cold-start the engine from fully cold and listen at the front-left of the engine bay for a pronounced chain rattle before oil pressure builds. Scan for cam-crank correlation DTCs. Ask for full service history and odometer. At 150,000+ km, treat as a budgeted repair if no evidence of recent chain replacement. Look here: Front of engine, timing chain cover — driver-side bank primary chain and secondary chains both at risk