Why do most cars have timing belts & not chains anymore? Its my understanding that older cars came with chains, did they change to belts to lower costs? It seems to me that chains would be better bcz they would last longer than belts. Maybe they changed to belts because the belts are lighter? I think the 2000 corollas came with chains & not belts anymore, does this mean they may go back to chains? Just something I been think about.

 

I think it's because they're signficantly quieter, and cheaper probably too.

 

all the new honda ivtecs are running chains now...soo they have that 100k miles maintence free label.....IMO, its safer, and less stressfull....im at 90k miles myself and i'll need to change the belt really soon...with chains you ain't gotta worry about that crap....if you break the timing belt say good bye to your motor, well that varies if your going fast when it breaks....but thats a hazard thats associated with belts

 

I know that most Nissans are chain driven, and when the chain guides break at 150-200K, then motor is toast...
Guess there are benefits to both...

Jason

 

Chains tend to float at high(er) RPM.

 

Chains stretch further than belts... so they may last longer before they break, but they will retard your cam timing significantly in a high miler... and they are twice the pain in the @ss to change or degree ( done both with both ).

 

Chains are coming back as the technology to use them in more applications is becoming available. Chains can now be used in high rpm engine with no problem at a cost that is ok for consumer level cars. The Celica GTS and the S2000 are prime examples of this. I still like the belts since they are easier to change. I don't mind doing it every 60k miles instead of every 100k.

 

Dunno why one is better than the other, but on the S2000 (which has chain primary drive), you can't go over 6500 or so until the motor reaches operating temp... someone said the restriction is to prevent valve timing issues that may arise with a cold chain (due to themal expansion). I don't think these issues arise with belts.

One thing belts used to have over chains is that they are quieter.

 

The RSX-S is a chain-drive i-VTEC that is supposedly more reliable but less tunable. The RSX will not rev over 5k on a cold motor either.

 

probably the biggest reason for a belt is gauranteed parts sales. And maybe some labor for the dealer mechanics as well. While belts are good at high RPM I will bet on profit reasons. IMHO

 

it seems to me that a chain belt would be less reliable. Or fluctuate due to quality control. So many moving parts, versus none on a belt driven.