Time belt vs time chain

[rna800]

Just a survey. What is better, time belt or time chain? They said that time chain is noisier but it could last as long as the engine could run. Time belt is quieter but there's a possibility that it could snap if not checked. Please voice out your opinions. Thanks!

[1D4LV]

durability wise, no question. timing chains. but it could also snap, pero the probability is too low.

[Esnie.com]

+1 for 1D4LV.

my 190e benz is a timing chain, since my father bought the car we havent yet replace the chain, its a quite noisy din compare to my pregio.

[rna800]

+1 for 1D4LV.

my 190e benz is a timing chain, since my father bought the car we havent yet replace the chain, its a quite noisy din compare to my pregio.

How do you maintain a timing chain from wear and tear? Or is there a way to maintain it? For timing belt, you have to replace it at a certain period or else you'll suffer the consequence if it gets snapped.

[v6dreamer]

A timing belt is made of rubber and may be reinforced with braided steel. A timing chain is made of metal.

On most vehicles (not all) if the timing belt (or chain) breaks while the engine is running, it can cause internal damage to the valves (and of course your engine will no longer run). It is best to replace the belt as per instructions, either by age or mileage whichever comes first.

Rubber (even synthetic rubber) breaks down with age, which is why it is recommended to be changed at 8 years.

When changing the timing belt change the cam seals also. If does not make sense to change them later especially when you're in the same vicinity

[JiggeR671]

Para sakin mas maganda kung chain kase mas tumatagal. Basta well lubricated lagi. Yung belt naman hassle kase kailangan pa palitan after you reach a certain milage. Pag minamalas ka pa at interference ang engine mo, pag naputol yan habang tumatakbo yung makina siguradong malaking gastos. Pero kung non interference like most toyotas ok lang kase belt lang masisira.

[rna800]

Pag minamalas ka pa at interference ang engine mo, pag naputol yan habang tumatakbo yung makina siguradong malaking gastos.

This happened to our neighbor. She was in the highway when all of a sudden the timing belt of her car got snapped. She said there is no other way to fix it but to overhaul. Yikes!

[1D4LV]

How do you maintain a timing chain from wear and tear? Or is there a way to maintain it? For timing belt, you have to replace it at a certain period or else you'll suffer the consequence if it gets snapped.

for chains, you would need to have it lubricated and the tensioners adjusted based on recommended intervals.

[1D4LV]

This happened to our neighbor. She was in the highway when all of a sudden the timing belt of her car got snapped. She said there is no other way to fix it but to overhaul. Yikes!

happened din to me way way back on my second car (a lancer box).
laki din ng ginastos ko dahil na deform yung mga valves.

[rna800]

for chains, you would need to have it lubricated and the tensioners adjusted based on recommended intervals.

I see. At least that's better and cheaper than having it replaced at a certain period. Any lubricants/oil would do or you could just put any as long as it gets lubricated?

[rna800]

happened din to me way way back on my second car (a lancer box).
laki din ng ginastos ko dahil na deform yung mga valves.

Did you feel anything wrong with your car prior to this incident or all of a sudden the car just stopped? When it got snapped, was there a loud bang?

[mbeige]

The chains typically use the engine oil for lubrication. Engine oil is critical for most other engine components as well. Some cars have another mechanism for the oil pump (other cars have gears, others are included in the timing chain, while still others have a separate chain drive for it).

The reason timing belts snap sooner than chains is, as mentioned, they're made of rubber with reinforcement mostly in the form of steel (like the drive belts outside the engine). They get brittle as they are used, and remember the tensioner is there to keep the tension up to spec. So in essence, if you open your timing belt covers, you won't "feel" any stretch because that's "masked" by the tensioner. When the belts reach the point of maximum stretch, and coupled with the tensioner and stresses of engine use, they simply snap.

Timing belts are usually maintenance free. Rule of thumb: when buying a car and there's no mention of timing belt replacement, have it replaced alongside drive belts (as well as the tensioner, cam seals, etc) especially if you plan to keep the car for a long time. Same goes with timing chains especially if it's really high mileage.

[niky]

As for noise... I can't say that I've noticed timing chain driven engines to be any noisier than timing belt driven engines.

There aren't any valid reasons not to use timing chains, and it's nice to see more and more manufacturers switch.

[s_quilicot]

all isuzu engines (diesel) are timing chains diba?

[niky]

The Crosswind uses a timing gear, which should, technically, be even more reliable since there are no flexible links to break, but it still needs to be periodically aligned.

[1D4LV]

Did you feel anything wrong with your car prior to this incident or all of a sudden the car just stopped? When it got snapped, was there a loud bang?

wala... as in wala. the car just suddenly lost power and stopped.

[glenn_sp]

mas ok sana ang timing gear, kaya lng maingay pa sa timing chain.. urvan and hilander are timing gears.. proper maintenance lang sa timing belt if ganun ang ride nyo, kelangan lng mas madalas ang maintenance.. same din sa timing chain, paminsan minsan dapat i-check..

[rna800]

all isuzu engines (diesel) are timing chains diba?

I was scouting for a new pickup and I am getting the dmax so I went to the showroom this afternoon and I asked the agent if it is still using timing belt. He said no, it is already timing gear and strada still use timing belt. I forgot to ask what's the difference between timing gear and timing chain. So guys, could you please me out.hehe

[rna800]

As for noise... I can't say that I've noticed timing chain driven engines to be any noisier than timing belt driven engines.

There aren't any valid reasons not to use timing chains, and it's nice to see more and more manufacturers switch.

I asked the agent in Isuzu showroom about the noise of timing gear engines, he said the previous dmax is really noisier compared to the new one since it's already crdi. I haven't heard the engine of the new dmax but my neighbor has a 2005 dmax and the engine is, in my opinion, is kinda noisy.

[rna800]

wala... as in wala. the car just suddenly lost power and stopped.

Yikes! This is scary! I asked this coz my other car has already reached almost 140k in odometer reading and I haven't replaced its timing belt. I had it checked by Honda and they said that it could still hold but I should replace it as soon as I can. I think I should go to my trusted mechanic tomorrow and have it replaced before this happens to me.hehe