Whereas your timing belt will wear out and require replacement anywhere between 40,000 and 100,000 miles, a timing chain does not wear out. Unlike the timing belt though, a timing chain is made of metal links instead of rubber. Like the timing belt, the goal is to keep the engine and transmission running in unison. Timing ChainsĪ timing chain operates like a bicycle chain that connects from the inside of your engine to the transmission, the way your foot pedals connect to the wheel gears on a bicycle. If you put it off and wait until the belt breaks, you will end up paying much more to repair the engine damage it will likely cause. You will spend the bulk of your money on the labor that it takes to replace the part. Fortunately, rubber is not a terribly expensive material and the replacement belt typically only costs between $25 and $50. Once the rubber reaches this point, there is no fix possible. As the elasticity fades away, it becomes brittle, which leads to cracks and breaks. The downside of flexible rubber is that its elasticity eventually wears out, stretching it to the point that it loses traction and can slip. For a belt connecting the timing of two systems, this lack of slack is critical to keeping things running in unison. A harder material would not have as much cover area, giving it less traction or “grab.” The flexibility of rubber also allows for the tightest fit and least amount of slack, which gives the least amount of variation between the two turning points in the engine and transmission. The rubber material allows the belt to fasten tightly and smoothly to both the engine and the transmission. This is the standard engine setup for most cars. It is located outside the engine and has a cover that protects it from damage. So what then is the distinction between timing belts and timing chains? Timing BeltsĪ timing belt is a high-quality rubber belt with teeth. Some Volkswagens, for example, have a timing chain instead. Some cars do not have a timing belt, though. It is not unusual to hear about replacing timing belts in car engines, and there are specific service periods in which replacements are recommended so that you don’t suffer engine damage from a broken timing belt. When Should You Replace the Timing Chain in Your Volkswagen by Dutch Silverstein December 12, 2018
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