Can you measure a timing chain electronically?

Can a certified mechanic electronically measure timing chain wear state? I have a 2005 Lincoln Town Car Signature Limited with 138K miles.

Not that I know of. You would have to remove it and measure it with a Digital Caliper to be able to claim electronically measuring the chain in my opinion.

Mr Davis Said:

“Pretty easy to accomplish if you have an oscilloscope. Grab the ckp and cmp patterns and compare. The amount of stretch will show in comparing the patterns”

I would say YES and NO. Looking at the data stream would show a difference in Crankshaft position. The Ignition Timing is not adjustable. So you would need to Connect a Scan tool and access Check Timing function. Some models, timing is indexed from the crankshaft sensor and will not reflect the listed value when checking timing conventionally. The Timing Specification is 10 (MIN-MAX) Crankshaft Degrees for the Signature Limited. With Engine at Idle and at operating temperature the Timing Advance will be between 18-24(Crankshaft Degrees). If the specifications were way off it may indicate a stretched timing chain.

In my opinion as long as it is running OK, keep driving it. I would not put $1200 plus dollars into it unless it was actually broken. And I have not seen a timing chain break on any of these engines ever. Not even in heavy abuse Police Cars or cars with higher mileage.