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Why do cars have timing belts instead of chains?
Auto manufacturers started using timing belts because they are much less expensive to manufacture and they run more quietly. They’ll stay tight without damaging much (like timing chain teeth for a timing chain), but when they go, they’ll go. The good news is that belts are much easier to replace than a timing chain.
Why are timing chains better than timing belts?
Timing chains are heavier and more complex than timing belts, but they also last much longer. Really, unless there’s a problem, timing chains don’t have a replacement interval. Like timing chains, timing gears are strong, accurate and last a long time.
Can a timing belt be replaced with a chain?
An interference engine will bend or break valves because the pistons and the valves will impact each other if the engine jumps time. Timing chain equipped engines are ALWAYS interference engines. So, a jumped chain or belt can call for belt replacement, a valve job, or a replacement engine, depending on engine design.
When did they stop using timing belts in cars?
Through the 1980s, timing chains powered many overhead cam (OHC) engines. Timing belts were especially common from the mid-’80s through the ’00s, but timing chains are becoming more widespread again. Without disassembly, it can be difficult to identify what kind of timing components are in your car’s engine.
When to replace timing belt or oil change?
Most automakers recommend replacing the timing belt every 60,000 to 105,000 miles. Timing chains are heavier and more complex than timing belts, but they also last much longer. Really, unless there’s a problem, timing chains don’t have a replacement interval. Regular oil changes prevent premature wear, stretching, and failure.
What’s the difference between timing belt and timing chain?
When considering engine maintenance, it’s important to understand whether your vehicle has a timing chain vs. timing belt or timing gears. Managing the ballet of the engine’s pistons and valve timing is a matter of transferring and halving the rotary motion of the crankshaft, and transmitting it to one or more of the motor’s camshafts.
What happens if you snap a timing belt?
Timing belts tend to simply snap, which can cause damage in an instant, as valves stuck open at the wrong moment hit the top of the rising piston. Such damage can destroy an engine completely, or lead to a multi-thousand dollar repair bill, hence the increasing popularity of the timing chain.