Hi Scotty,
I was thinking about you dont like the timingbelt... But isnt the timingbelt not a good moment to do big maintain? Like crankseal watherpump coolend? Some engines are so good, but they only have this timingbelt to change .
Greetz Jan Albert from the Netherlands
Well yes, if you’re the type of person who likes to stay on top of maintenance, and doesn’t mind spending a few thousand dollars (or euros) to do the whole timing kit job at the specified intervals.
Most of us however, want to spend the minimum necessary to keep the vehicle’s mechanicals running well. So over 400,000 - 500,000 kms, the additional costs of replacing the timing belt, water pump and other bits of the kit significantly add up.
The timing chain is much more of a maintenance free design, that’s all.
don't mistake the external serpentine/drive belt (which is easy to do) from an actual timing belt or timing chain (which is more labor intensive and complicated depending on the vehicle. They're 2 different things.
Excellent point.
No. My water pump isn't attached to the timing chain.
I never have to touch my timing chain or crank seal.
A belt would would just add more maintenance to do, and adds risk of engine blowing itself to bits.
Timing belts and timing chains both have their pros and cons and manufacturers have gone through different phases of using one or the other or both.
After changing the timing belt myself on my Honda Accord 1999, I can tell you I don’t want to buy a new car with a timing belt again. It was a pain to change. I did it, and glad I learned how. But boy oh boy I don’t want to have to do that again if I can avoid it.
I personally prefer a timing belt bc chains get loose and rattley as they age and if they snap you're SOL. Timing belts on the other hand, you can take the timing cover off and check on it once a year and make sure it's not dry rotted or cracked.
the thing is, they don't snap. And I haven't seen one get loose and rattley yet. You can also take the timing cover off and check them if you want, but I've never had a reason to.
I've driven cars up through the 300,000 to 400,000 mile range with the original chains still silent. Timing chains of course can be problematical if poorly designed or oil not changed regularly.
Honestly, the only vehicles I had regular interactions with that had an issue with timing chains were the early 380SL Mercedes and some of the air-cooled Porsche 911s. The Mercedes, in non-typical German fashion, only used a single-row timing chain for the V8 motor. This led to premature failure... I don't think they ever made that mistake again. Porsche just had a weak tensioner design that could lead to failure.
On the other hand, many vehicles with timing belts are interference motors, and I cannot count how many of those detonated over the years. Owners just were not made aware of the requirements for maintenance, and ended up paying the price. Or they almost died when told that it was time to do the timing belt replacement, and how much in parts and labor that was going to run.
