I always hear about the disadvantages of a timing belt and how it is a $300 job every few years or so, depending on miles driven. Other disadvantages include you being stranded with a non-running engine until the belt is replaced or the worst case of an essentially trashed engine from the valves crashing into the pistons or vice versa.
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Are there any real advantages to these compared to timing gears or chains? Are they better for fuel economy due to a lighter mass or is there any other practical reason for them besides getting you into the shop for a replacement or worst case a new car if you neglect them?
Conor
Not In My Opinion, Not To The Car’s Owner, Although Some Will Be Offered Here, I’m Sure.
I quit buying cars with timing belts several years ago, right after I wrestled my last one into my 3.5L Intrepid V-6, out in the driveway over a couple of days, purchased and home-made special tools and all.
They’re silly, really.
CSA
This topic has been beaten to death, and the consensus is that if there is an advantage, it really isn’t worth it.
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I think I am the only person to make a case for the advantages of a belt, and even I realize calling these items “advantages” is a stretch. In the end, the only real advantage is that replacing your water pump at the same time as the timing belt means your water pump will never get a chance to fail, and if you’re lucky, your mechanic might find and repair other items that might otherwise fail or cost you more money as a separate job, like a leaky gasket or seal inside the timing belt housing.
BTW, if you can really find someone who will do a full timing belt job for $300 (with the whole kit, not just replacing the belt), take advantage of that opportunity and thank your lucky stars. On many vehicles, timing belt jobs range from $450 (on my Civic) to $900 (on some minivans). You really should get the whole kit, which includes the tensioner pulley and sometimes other important items, depending on the model.
I see. I have heard timing belts slapping covers before as well as chains on the early ’s Dodge 3.9L V6 engine commonly used in the Dakota. Those Dodge engines all clack loudly at idle and I was driving a friends to get some parts at AutoZone. The AutoZone manager told me that I had a knock like a wrist pin or rod. I told them that they all sound like this and I don’t recall many of these engines catastrophically failing. That can’t be said for other Dodge engines such as the 2.7L used in Intrepids and similar. I am not a huge MOPAR person overall.
I got home and looked it up. There is some defect where the chains on the 3.9L slap against the inside of the timing cover and clack at idle/no load. They solved in the later '90’s and you can refit the older trucks with a timing set from the newer models if you like but most people just drive them.
Anyway, I am all for the chains myself as they seem to last the life of the vehicle. I was curious if the lower rotating mass of a belt might have increased response or mileage.
Conor
I’ve heard people say they’re quieter, but never the manufacturers. Usually it’s someone offering an explanation for why they’re used.
Bottom line; they’re cheaper. Fortunately, I think customer dissatisfaction has led to manufacturers not using them as frequently. It seems that everything new has chains.
Cwatkin, your comment about the greater mass is insightful. It’s true that lower mass needs less fuel to get moving, and since engines accelerate often in normal driving that would make sense.
Its purely cost. When they were first used, new car buyers kept their cars about 3-4 years and the belt would last 4 years, so belt replacement was not a concern to the new car buyer. The manufacturer doesn’t make any money off the second owner so they are not concerned.
A first owners started keeping their cars longer, the manufacturers began increasing the life span of the belts through better materials. As long as the initial purchaser traded the car before the belt change was due, it was not a concern for the manufacturer.
It finally became a concern for the manufacturers when their customers began to hold onto the car for 10 years. Belts can be made to last that long by using more composite materials and silicone rubber, but it appears that it is cheaper to use a chain rather than upgrade the belt materials.
I have heard the “quieter” argument in relation to timing gears. My parents had a Pontiac LeMans V-8 that had nylon timing gears. The timing gears failed and steel replacemetn gears were installed. I couldn’t hear any difference in the engine sound. The Chevrolet my dad owned had some kind of fiber composition for the timing gears. Again, the argument was that these fiber composition timing gears were quieter. Chevrolets of this vintage with the “Stovebolt” 6 engines were known to have timing gear failure. Fortunately, these engines were not interference engines. The tappets in these old Chevrolet engines were often so noisy that any noise of the timing gears was drowned out anyway. r
Both the Toyota 4Runner V-6 we own and the Toyata Sienna V-6 we own have timing chains and I haven’t been bothered by noise from this set up.
I recently got a Geo Metro 1.0L 3cyl for gas mileage and it has a timing belt. The job on this takes like 1-2 hours to do by myself. That is a $35 kit with Gates belt, new timing seals, a tensioner/idler, etc. I went ahead and replaced the water pump which was also $35 at the same time.
Now these little cars are essentially the modern day VW bug if you can consider something 20-30 years old “modern” and are super easy to work on. Everyone says, “I bet that is a pain to work on with lots of small/tight spaces.” It is actually like working on an old pickup under the hood as it is easy to do just about anything. I can change an entire engine by myself in like 4 hours without a hoist. All I need is a car jack and a metric socket set!
Conor
A timing belt has its drawbacks but also some great benefits. A V engine with overhead cams, especially dual overhead cams, is much cheaper to manufacture but it is also much cheaper and simpler to repair than the chain drive model. Ford Windsor V 8s were notorious for tossing chains at 80,000 miles with manual transmission and 120,000 with automatics and even that simple, non interference engine required longer to replace the chain than a Hyundai, Mazda, Toyota or Nissan V-6 T-belt. And a Mazda 929 was an easy 2 hour job.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Automotive Timing Belts.
And let a Toyota R-22 chain slip while the head is off. That slip will cost you dearly. And BTW, check the flat rate time to replace the timing chains on a Jaguar 4.2L or Mercedes V-8.
What is a timing belt for a car? It's a component that's more important than what you may initially realize, especially when it comes to engine function. And should the belt fail, you could be in for some significant engine damage.
In this post, we'll cover what you need to know about timing belts and chains, how to know if yours could be failing, and why it's important to address any issues. Read on to learn more or contact your locally operated GreatWater-affiliated garage today to schedule an inspection of the timing belt.
What is a timing belt and what does it do? Specifically, a timing belt is made of reinforced rubber that connects the engine's crankshaft to its camshaft to ensure that none of the engine's components come into contact with each other.
Timing belts play an important role under the hood of any vehicle. They help valves open and close when they're supposed to, prevent pistons from coming into contact with valves, and maximize overall engine component synchronization.
Timing belts are typically made from reinforced rubber and have teeth on one side of the belt to better grip the camshaft and crankshaft and harmonize the rotation so that none of the engine's parts come into contact with each other. This synchronization ensures that every engine component is working in harmony and that components aren't hitting each other. Should engine components come into contact with other components, it could lead to engine damage and expensive repair.
Timing belts and timing chains both serve the same function. To that point, your vehicle can be outfitted with either a chain or a belt. However, the main difference between these two components is their location within the engine assembly and the material that they're made from.
For instance, timing belts are made of rubber and located outside of the engine to connect the crankshaft to the camshaft. Timing chains, conversely, are located within the engine and are crafted from metal. They tend to last longer than timing belts, but they also tend to run pretty noisily. Timing belts only tend to last for 60,000 to 100,000 miles, but run quieter than timing chains due to their material makeup.
Timing belts are commonly found in newer vehicles, while chains are common in older vehicles and sports cars.
Generally speaking, timing belts may last anywhere from 60,000 to 100,000 miles - but various factors can influence longevity. Timing belts are known to deteriorate over time not just from wear and tear, but due to exposure to heat, moisture, and oil. So even if your vehicle is low in mileage and not near the 60,000-mile threshold, exposure to other conditions and elements may lead to its deterioration. Rubber can crack and dry out over time, which can lead to timing belt failure and potentially other issues.
There are various signs and symptoms that indicate problems with your timing belt, underscoring the importance of taking note if something seems off with the way your vehicle is operating. Some of the telltale signs and symptoms include:
The tricky thing about many of these symptoms noted above is that they could be indicative of other issues with the engine, making it all the more important to have your vehicle inspected and serviced at the first sign of a potential problem with the engine.
Additionally, it's wise to have the timing belt periodically checked to stay ahead of any potential emergency repairs if it does eventually fail. Many auto repair shops will inspect the timing belt as part of a multi-point inspection on vehicle tune-ups or even as a value-added service to complement other routine vehicle care, like oil changes.
Should a timing belt fail while you are operating the vehicle, it could cause significant engine damage, underscoring the importance of routine inspections and getting out in front of any potential issues with this component.
The cost to replace a timing belt really depends on the type of vehicle you have and how hard it is to access under the hood of your vehicle. On average, the cost can range anywhere from $500 to $1,100. Costs may run more if there's damage to the engine or the engine components that need to be addressed.
The timing belt as a part is not expensive. The main driving factor behind the high cost of replacement is the labor that's involved in doing it. This is largely because some engine parts may need to be temporarily removed or shifted around to reach the area necessary to remove the old belt and install a new one. Then, after it's replaced, the engine must be put back together. It can all take a significant amount of time, which can cause labor costs to increase.
The key to ensuring effective timing belt operation is routine maintenance. That's where your local shop in the GreatWater network can help. As a full-service auto maintenance and repair centers, we'll inspect your timing belt and replace it when necessary so you can be certain that your engine is working at maximum efficiency.
Contact your local shop in the GreatWater network today to learn more about the importance of timing belt maintenance and to schedule an appointment to have your timing belt serviced.
For more information, please visit Audi Timing Belt Replacement.
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