Timing Belts vs. Timing Chains: What’s The Difference?
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Knowing what goes inside your car can significantly improve the ownership experience. One vehicle that car owners should know more about is the engine. When something goes wrong with the engine, it will indeed affect how your vehicle runs, if at all. At the very least, you should know the many different critical components of the engine. So when your car engine acts up, you’ll learn how to diagnose and troubleshoot the problem.
In this case, you’re doing yourself a favor by knowing more about timing belts vs. chains. When it comes to timing belts and timing chains, one of the most common questions that people have is: what’s the difference?
For today’s post, we’ll discuss the difference between timing belts vs. chains, their functions, the ways they are similar, and more. Let’s get to it!
Timing Belts vs. Chains: What Do They Do?
Timing belts and timing chains have the same purpose. As their name implies, the timing belts and chains manage the engine’s timing. They both connect the engine’s crankshaft to the camshaft, controlling which valve opens and closes. These valves allow fuel and air into the engine and let exhaust out. Without a timing belt or chain, your engine wouldn’t even run or sustain catastrophic damage in a matter of minutes.
You should know that the camshaft, crankshaft, and timing chain or belt revolutions follow the same principles as pedaling a bicycle. In this case, the pedal is the crankshaft, the rear wheel is the camshaft, and the timing belt or timing chain is the bicycle chain. But, of course, the primary function of the timing belts and chains is more complex than that concerning how the engine functions.
Timing chains and belts are incredibly critical components, but they’re not immediately visible since they’re typically covered. You must take out several more engine components before reaching the timing belt or chain.
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Timing Belts vs. Chains: How Are They Different?
The most obvious difference is that one is a belt, and the other is a chain. To be more specific, timing belts are belts made of rubber, while timing chains are chains made of metal. One thing that may surprise many people is that timing chains came first and were widely used before advances in rubber technology made timing belts a reality. It was Pontiac in the mid-1960s that brought timing belts to commercial vehicles in America.
Another significant difference between timing belts vs. chains is their location. Timing belts are housed outside the engine, while timing chains must be inside because they need lubrication from the engine oil.
Many car manufacturers prefer using timing belts because they’re cheaper to produce and quieter than chains. In many cases, timing belts may last up to 100,000 miles before needing a replacement. Due to these reasons, timing belts became a more popular choice for automakers through the 1990s.
On the other hand, timing chains are more durable and have a longer lifespan compared to timing belts. Over the years, car manufacturers have made several improvements to timing chain technology. Therefore, chains have less noise, vibrations, and harshness. Although timing chains cost more upfront, they generally last throughout the vehicle’s entire life. This is noteworthy because replacing the timing belt may cost $500 to $1,000 on average.
Timing Belts: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Minimal vibrations and chordal effect
- Good slip-proof engagement
- It offers an efficiency of close to 100%
- Low noise
- Immune to rust and corrosion
- It provides good abrasion resistance
- May last up to 100,000 miles
- Lightweight
- Lower upfront cost
- It doesn’t require lubrication
- Energy-saving
Cons
- The belt has to be replaced eventually
- It needs a lot of attention
- It relies on the water pump for some engines
Timing Chains: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Highly durable
- Longevity throughout the vehicle’s lifespan
- You don’t need to replace the water pump to replace the chain
- Virtually zero slippage compared to belts
- It helps you save money in the long run
- It doesn’t change in shape and length
Cons
- High upfront cost
- Needs engine oil for lubrication
- It relies on hydraulic pressure to function
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How Can I Tell If My Car Has a Timing Belt or Timing Chain?
As mentioned earlier, timing belts and chains are fairly out of the view and within the engine, even more so for timing chains. In this case, your best bet is to check your owner’s manual to determine if your car has a belt or chain. Alternatively, you may also check your vehicle’s specifications on its official manufacturer website, or you can call your local dealership or service shop.
Should I Replace My Timing Belt or Chain?
It’s essential to be mindful of your engine’s timing belt or chain. In the absolute worst scenario, a faulty timing belt (or chain, but they’re unlikely to break) will throw off the timing of the engine, which may result in significant damage. Modern timing systems ensure that the intake valves are out of the way once the piston comes up during cycles.
If the timing belt or chain is broken, the valves won’t move and will be impacted by the piston head. When this event occurs while the vehicle is running, the high rpm will snap the valve right off and become a fast-moving projecting that will wreak havoc on the engine.
A timing belt or chain replacement is far from a simple task and can be expensive. However, the cost is not comparable to a totaled engine due to a broken belt or chain. You want to prevent that by making sure your belt or chain is in tip-top shape.
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Timing Belts vs. Chains: Which is Better?
As you can see, each type has its share of pros and cons. For decades, timing chains provided the much-needed durability and stability for vehicles. Over time, drivers required something quieter and more lightweight, which was delivered by timing belts. In this case, “better” can be subjective and your choice will depend on what is expected of the engine. Choose wisely!
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