Guidance on when to replace a loose timing chain

[thefrey]

Bit of background - 201k 2013 Denali. I just dropped the pan to swap the o-ring and tried to look at the timing chain, and well, she is loosey goosey:

They are both the same side in the clip FYI just the camera is flipped

How urgent is this? Should I replace this ASAP or can I run it for awhile? Is it worth it to do on an engine that has 201k?

Here's an idling clip (unknown if there's chain slap)

I will probably drive the car for another 50k miles before I start start considering another car. Also I'd do a new oil pump while I'm in there.

Also, has anyone done this without dropping the pan? I'm a bit discouraged, since I just dropped the pan and put everything back together. I was under the impression that you didn't have to drop the pan and could just go through the front cover, so that's why I didn't do a timing chain while I was doing the o-ring, but I may be wrong. I've also never done a timing chain before - dropping the oil pan with the AWD was hands down the biggest job I've done so doing a timing chain will be a challenge. I'm not scared per se, but there's obviously no room for error with this one.

Appreciate any help or feedback. Ya'll are great

 

[Doubeleive]

doesn't look to me like it is enough to make it jump time, on the old 350's the gear had a plastic epoxy type coating, over time the coating would wear off and then the chain would slip. doing one is not particularly hard, just lots of work taking all the front bolt stuff off & on
what do you think @Fless @Geotrash

 

[Geotrash]

doesn't look to me like it is enough to make it jump time, on the old 350's the gear had a plastic epoxy type coating, over time the coating would wear off and then the chain would slip. doing one is not particularly hard, just lots of work taking all the front bolt stuff off & on
what do you think @Fless @Geotrash

Thanks Wes. He has another thread going and a similar post is on the tail end of it. I already weighed in with my opinion about addressing the slack in the chain, replacing the oil pump, and the need to drop the pan to do so. It seems he's looking for additional opinions, which is fine with me.

 

[rdezs]

.... And yes, it can be done without dropping the pan. Takes a little finesse getting the pickup tube bolt started, but very doable.

 

[SpareParts]

It sure can be done. I changed the pump and O ring in about 3 hours total if i remember right. Check my thread. I posted how i did it.