Crossovers with chain drive timing. The most reliable cars of passenger cars

What torque drive is better? This question is among the ten most philosophical automotive issues, together with the left and right steering wheel, gasoline or diesel, mechanical or automatic box Transmissions. Some car enthusiasts will give their vote for belt transmission, and the second will give preference to the chain mechanism. The same applies to all the above issues. Let's try together to understand which gas distribution mechanism is better, cheaper and more than the pros and cons of two variants of the camshaft drive.

Immediately it is worth noting, today everything more automakers Go to the belt transmission and refuse the timing chain. But still, some drivers do not have a trust attitude towards the "elastic" drive. A large number of car enthusiasts, especially the older generation, is called a metal version almost eternal. Are they right?

Modern chain timing

Previously, the timing chain was really a trouble-free element. The thing is that it is usually done from two, and sometimes of three links (rows). To break such a metal track was very problematic. "Served" they are really hundreds of thousands of kilometers. Over time, the chain could stretch and start unbearably ringing, which led to a jump on one or two teeth. But even in this case, the cliffs happened much less frequently than the belts.

Compared to the belt, the chain is noisy, stretches, but noise insulation of modern power units allows you to remove this flaw quickly and efficiently. In the Salon "Shelest" chains practically not heard. It is worth noting that old chain engines are really more reliable than new ones. Modern aggregates cannot boast similar reliability. Why?

That is, a number of reasons. Now the engines are very much lost in weight, they became shorter and less in volumes. This is due to the so-called "euro standards" - it is necessary that the car is easier, compact, accordingly consumed little fuel and discarded less harmful substances in atmosphere. These requirements affected the timing. Its drive also relieves significantly.

Also, all automakers are trying to increase the volume of the cabin, by reducing the volume of the engine compartment. Therefore, it is very important that the power unit is as compact as possible. The first chain drive began to suffer from such changes, so the chain is most rooted and facilitated. Now she is rather similar to cycling. Due to such cutting, not only the block of the block decreased, but the block itself. Therefore, there was a need for a large oil bath (the classic chain was constantly rotating in oil).

At first glance, everything is excellent - the chain is lost, volumes and dimensions decreased, oils need less, the weight decreased. Excellent? But there is one important "but" ... such a thin product began to rush.
True, before finally, the chain begins to make noise more harder. Many drivers do not pay attention to this, write off on the weather, or simply may not hear because of the good "Shumkov" of the motor. All this leads to a circuit cliff and expensive repair.

Thus, the timing chain has become the same consumable as much of the engine elements. Now it is extremely difficult to meet the engine in which the chain would change only during major repairs (as it was before). As a rule, it is changed like a belt - from 100,000 km. Plus, due to the complexity of the design, the diagnosis of the timing chain is now very expensive. It can be concluded that the modern chain mechanism for reliability and resource is very much approaching the timing belt.

Do you have a car on the chain? Do not hurry to get upset. Yes, there are really many cons, but there are advantages:

  • it rotates in a closed space, almost not in contact with air, which means there is no garbage, dust and moisture of accelerating wear.
  • it is practically no temperature. It is not afraid of a cold or heat, unlike the belt.
  • accuracy adjustment. The chain has a more accurate adjustment mechanism, it is not so stretched so much.
  • resistance to short-term overloads.

Timing belt

This is an absolutely different design, despite the identity of the functions performed. It looks like a belt - rubberized tape (maybe on a tissue basis or other wear-resistant material) inside which there are teeth. These teeth come into engage with gears that are fixed on the camshaft.

Pluses of the belt mechanism:

  • dry construction. That is, there is no oil. Located outside power aggregate, rotates in the air, although closed with a special casing.
  • elastic belt. It effectively extinguishes oscillations, which in multi-cylinder engines can affect the resource of the shafts.
  • there is practically no effect of the temperature of the motor. If the oil is cold in winter, it does not reflect on the noise of the engine (the chain mechanism needs to be warm up for efficient pumping of the oil into the hydrothetulator).
  • silence of work.
  • ease of diagnosis and repair. There is no need to disassemble the motor, you do not even need to remove the cover of the block head. The protective cover is simply removed.
  • repair price. It is cheaper both in production and in replacement. Change the belt together with mechanical tensioners costs at times cheaper, replacement chains.
  • details compactness. Motor with belts is easier, shorter and less in volume.

Negative moments:

  • pollution. Since the belt rotates in the air and is protected only by the casing, dust, dirt, water and even oil can fall on it. All this adversely affects its resource.
  • aging and cracking. The belt changes not only by kilometer, but also by years. For example, if the car stood for a long time without operation, and the mileage is only a few tens of kilometers, the belt still needs to be changed. Its material has a tendency to aging and on time he simply cracks.
  • a tendency to slip. During exceeding the maximum load (with a sharp start from the place), the belt can slip. Sometimes even the teeth are broken, which come into engagement.

So, what is still better: belt or chain? An unambiguous answer to give is extremely difficult. It is necessary to watch a specific engine model, as well as the conditions for its operation.

Often, newcomers are interested in, and what is more effective chain or timing belt? According to the journalists of "Wheel", this issue is even part of the 10th most philosophical in the automotive industry. Indeed, along with questions about the right / left steering wheel, MCPP / automatic transmission, diesel / gasoline and this topic often appears on autofors and autosites. We will understand thoroughly.

So, automakers-giants believe today in the rubber belt. On the famous "eight" V8 and "six" V6 from Volkswagen, Toyota and Opel put this option. But still, the question of what is better, remains relevant, as before.

Chain

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This is a tested mechanism for years, which is simple enough and not expensive, if we compare purely against the background motor parameters. Yes, noisy, but thanks to the high-quality sew most of the car, this chain flap is almost impaired. Often inside the car, this mechanism is not heard at all.

Note. For example, if you compare the two known VW-TSI motors at 1.4 liters and EA111 by 1.6 liters, that is, the difference. The latter is clearly noise, and this is not at all due to the fact that he is "the atmospheric".

In fact, the problem lies in the other. Specifically, in this case, there is a disease of old engines. It lies in the fact that the chain on such an internal 2-row is set. It increases its strength characteristics several times, but under the action of various forces, although it is not broken, but stretched. As a result, it starts to noise from stretching, although he does not jump along the teeth.

The modernization of the engine began with the fact that the size of the motors began to reduce in order to increase the cabin space, and on some "front-expirations", in general, the engine was not installed along and across. A priori began to reduce in size and chains that were transformed from the 2-row in the 1-row, becoming much more compact. And in fact, on the modern "eight" of the same VW, the timing chain is not thicker cycling chain.

The size of the chain is very important. Its mass depends on this, and even besides, it is a little different than the belt. More specifically, right in the oil bath, inside the timing. What does this mean? Everything is simple: the GBC in all the laws of automotive engineering should be longer to the width of the chain. It turns out that extra millimeters is an increase in metal mass several times. All this adversely affects the operation of the motor, it begins to noise more, etc.

Note. How to notice the experienced motorists, the internal combustion engine begins to roar louder before getting to kapital. And the chains also behave in a similar way, but their suicide cladding is not always heard due to the successful shu of the latter years of age.

It is noteworthy that the old 2-row chain could still be called "eternal". Yes, the roar was terrible, but even after the 1st branch, she could continue to function for a long time. Everything was invented by intelligent, the load on both branches was distributed evenly.

But the modernization of DVS, associated with the relief of its design, shortening the size and permutation of its position gave the opposite effect. An unpleasant surprise was that iron chains significantly reduced their operational resource and became the same "consumables", like belts. It is asked why then put heavy metal elements if you can do rubber? And this is still despite the fact that the chain replacement costs at times more expensive.

Here, for example, the approximate cost of replacing the chain on the "four" is equal to at least 30,000 rubles. It is three times more than the replacement of the belt, even the best. And if you need to change the timing kit for the two years with the chain, you will have to spend no less than 100,000 rubles, which is the complexity of the work is equivalent to overhaul, because you have to dismantle the motor, remove the GBC, etc. Mercedes M272 owners such a situation should be familiar.

We do not argue that buying cars with the timing chain drive is not worth it. Just it will be necessary to be extremely carefully before buying to inspect the drive, analyze and compare the results for noise and the working move, the wear of consumables, etc.

Justd by the perplexity of many motorists who ask: why is the chain still in the case, if everything is so bad? If he had some disadvantages, the automakers would have sent it to peace for a long time, and the belt would rear and the rules of one-dinner.

Obviously, the chain also has its advantages. And first of all, they are associated with holistic protection against all negative impacts, including dirt, water, atmospheric differences, etc. Chain, with all that is subject to corrosion, is not afraid of atmospheric drops, dirt does not have any influence on its work. The belt would have already broken 100 times if the same number of influences were rendered on it.

The second advantage of the chain in the inviolability of installation timing tags. Under pressure the chain is practically not stretched, ICE on high revolutions Saves the initial position of the shafts, and this is a reliable guarantee of the safety of the speakers.

Finally, the third plus, which is allocated experts - resistance to various overloads. She is several times more than the belt. If the roller tensioner is working, the PHS phases almost never be knocked down, the chain does not jump.

Among other things, it is impossible to forget that the chain drive is not obliged to be hermetic, which makes his a priori better better. There is no secret here - simply any principle associated with PHS phases is based on lubricating circulation. But his belt is afraid of fire, and there is no chain.

Belt

Of course, how strange it sounds, but the most important advantage of it becomes stretching. Indeed, thanks to a record elasticity, he successfully extinguishes various fluctuations that can adversely affect the resource components. Successfully copes the belt due to its elasticity and with vibrations of various kinds.

Functions the belt is almost silent, if it is working, of course. It can be quite long, and at the same time is well tensioned with several rollers, in no way affecting the correctness of the established phases of GDS.

The belt does not require lubricant, although they do not tell this about old and spent belts. It is equally efficiently functions on cold and hot engineers (and everything depends on the state of the belt). If the belt is produced famous firmThe resource is usually big.

But the most favorite positive belt quality for motorists is the simplicity of replacement. No need to remove the engine, disassemble the cylinder head or box. Everything is simple - I bought a new belt at an affordable price, and changed myself without any problems.

DVS, equipped with a belt, more compact and easy, it goes without saying. What advances it gives, guess easily.

Unfortunately, the belt is not ideal. Disadvantages are available from him. For example, fast vulnerability. He is afraid of water, lubricant And frost. Rubber is quickly obsolete, which affects the rapid wear. Despite the "jogging" interval specified by the manufacturer, most of the belts during active operation do not stand and half the term.

One of the common belt diseases implies its slippage with overestimated loads. For example, if the car is twisted, there is a high probability of the belt scope.

Comparative Test

As you can see, each of the GDM elements has, both its advantages and cons. This explains partly the fact that the chain is still popular, and the belt does not get all the winner's laurels.

"I am going to buy a car with a chain timing. I've come across a belt only before great experience There is no maintenance. About the chain walks a lot of "horror stories" about the cost of repair and expensive consequencesIf it does not make it on time. Is it worth taking the engine with a chain timing, or a belt is still better? "

To the question, what is better, the chain or belt cannot be answered unequivocally. Both drives have both its advantages and cons.

Let's start with the "parsing" belt. Some of the main factors speaking in its favor are the relative cheapness of the timing set and simplicity of replacement. Considering this, the work can be carried out before the deadlines specified by the regulations, which means a decrease in the chance of any problems. The established life of the belt, depending on the manufacturer, can be up to 150,000 km, but in our conditions it is customary to change the timing every 60,000 km, that is, about once every three years.

The timing belt as a whole is better not to be considered only in kilometers traveled. On it negatively affect low temperatures and pollution, but it also does not depend, for example, from oil pressure. For undime replacement The belt exists the risk of his cliff, which threatens the encounter of the pistons with the valves. If the engine is not operated on high revs, it is not worth afraid of the belt. Otherwise, it is still better to make a choice in favor of the chain.

Unlike the belt, it is extremely difficult to break the chain - the main problem becomes stretching and jumping to the tooth. In this case, the valves and pistons cease to work synchronously, the result of their "meeting" can be deplorable for a wallet.

The main thing is that scares motorists in chain timing, they are highly important. On average, the replacement of the kit costs about three times more expensive than in the case of the belt. The maximum cost may even exceed all reasonable limits, especially V-shaped engines. Many motorists are neglected on the clan chain timing after 120,000 km, while others do not care safely remember him after 200,000 km. In general, it is necessary to consider a separately taken car individually: in many cases, the resource of the chain GDM is designed for the entire service life of the engine, which in our conditions means to overhaul.

When buying a car with a chain timing, this node should pay special attention to find prices in advance. When inspecting a car, pay attention to the characteristic crackle, clang or base in the boilerspace, especially this is noticeable when you have a factory "on the cold".

What do servicemen think?

Andrew: "The chain" walks "longer than the belt is on average twice independently of the engine model. Accordingly, with belt timing to the service turns more often. To critical situations With the flexion of the valves reaches extremely rarely, these are isolated cases. The asterisks are faster, the gas distribution process is disturbed, the engine begins to trim. I drive with the chain for the tenth year, no problems arose. "

Vladimir: "IN modern cars Chains are most often used. For example, only they are put on BMW and Mercedes. But since the fleet of us is not the richest, it turns out that half of the car - with a belt timber, half - with chain. In a personal Audi with 60.000 kilometers, the chain is already coming itself to know - a replacement is necessary. It was even for me a surprise. The regulations for replacing the chain timing of each manufacturer, someone, it is even designed for the entire service life. By minuses, of course, the cost of replacing the kit. For one set of chain timing, there are three replaces of the belt, so there is no fundamental difference in price in the final result. Timely service closes all the questions, so when choosing a car to this parameter, I do not advise you to pay attention in principle. "

Replacing the MRM set for Infiniti FX35 cost the owner of 3.5 million rubles for spare parts and $ 200 for the work itself

Therefore, it is impossible to recommend the chain or belt, since this choice is at the level of confrontation "mechanics" and "automaton", gasoline and diesel engines. And, as car owners, and servicemen are noted correctly, the question is not to "best" the actuator, but in its timely service.

Andrei Gorlik
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Typical text of a merchant selling a car with a chain drive timer looks like this: "There is a chain, not a belt. So, it disappears the need to spend time and money on the replacement of the timing belt. Many buyers come across this trick. Ultimately, the chain is torn, and the engine is necessary overhaul. Remember: the era of chains that can serve more than a million kilometers, it has long been over with old Mercedes!

The rupture of the timing belt is a serious incident, however, in most cases there is hope to save the engine. A similar situation with the timing chain can end much worse. The chain is a much massive belt and in the event of a break, as a rule, "River and mosques" engine, "Having done with you" whole pieces of metal. In addition, pistons and valves are very damaged. Very rarely after breaking the timing chain, the engine manages to reanimate with low blood.

All thing in oil

The approximate resource of the modern chain is a minimum of 200-250 thousand km. However, it often does not stand so long. Cases of chain breakdown when running 100,000 km, and even 60,000 km. The fact that this happens only with certain models of cars, speaks of congenital defect. And not always the "catastrophe" occurs due to the poor quality of the chain and tensioner. Sometimes the problem is caused by a lack of lubricant. This happened to the first petrol engines PEUGEOT-CITROEN 1.6 THP (Euro 4) and 2-liter diesel motor BMW. (BMW 3 E90, 320D N47).

So, non-compliance with the manufacturer's recommendations regarding the amount, the type of oil and replacement intervals many times increase the likelihood of malfunction. Do not forget that almost every chain is held in tension tensioner, the efficiency of which is directly depends on the pressure in the stroke system. A typical example is a Fiat 1.3 Multijet turbodiesel, which is used in Opel models with 1.3 CDTI. With frequent movements in urban conditions, the oil level is highly dropped. If this is not noticed in time, the pressure in the system, and, consequently, the tension of the chain begins to decline.

But, of course, it does not do without errors in the design of the design of chains themselves and tensioners. Bright example - gasoline engines Concern VW 1.4 TSI and 1.2 TSI.


Terms and symptoms

Most manufacturers do not indicate the hard limits for replacing the timing chains, as in the case of gear belts. Circuit wear is determined by symptoms. As a rule, this is an increased noise and shift phases of gas distribution (detected using a diagnostic computer). Good motorists easily recognize malfunction. Some engines allow you to evaluate the state of the chain to output the string rod.


Buying a used car with a timing chain drive, monitoring the state of the chain should be entrusted with the mechanics. Unlike engines with a belt, you should not be guided by the Rule of Replacement "Just in case". If the inspection shows the need to replace the chain, then you will have to prepare from 500 to several thousand dollars. This is a serious reason to bargain with the car seller on secondary market. In any case, the replacement is not worth it.

During the operation of the vehicle chain drive, a pedanticity in matters relating to motor oil. Must be used only high-quality oil. Regular replacement is another important element of care not only by the engine, but also the chain drive of the timing. As a rule, the change of lubricant should occur at least once every 15,000 km. If the car is operated mainly in urban traffic conditions (frequent launches, a large proportion of work on idling), the replacement interval is better to reduce up to 10,000 km.

It is necessary to pay attention to unusual sounds (noise, knock), especially appearing immediately after launching or during long work At idle. Finding the characteristic signs of "malaise", it is worth visiting the auto service. Perhaps this is the first symptoms of improper operation of the timing of timing, which cannot be ignored.

Two ways to place the timing chain in the engine

In the engine, two types of timing is used in the engine. Conditionally let's call them front and rear. "Front" when the TGM drive is located on the same side as drive belt hinged aggregates. "Rear" when the GDM drive is located on the side of the flywheel and gearbox. Typically, manufacturers use the front arrangement of the timing of the GDM, since with such a scheme it is easier to access and repair the system. However, for several years already have companies such as Audi and BMW, practice the timing of timing timing on the back of the engine: Audi A6 C6 3.0 TDI, BMW 320D E90 (N47), BMW 530 F10. This greatly complicates the maintenance of the timing. Fortunately, such bold solutions are applied only in some motor chain drive, and never apply in engines with a toothed belt.

Timing chain wear symptoms

Coarse and uneven work at idle (the result of changing phases of gas distribution);

Drying and rustling - especially at idle when the oil pressure is very low;

Maximum tensioner output (seen after removal of the lid);

Wear of stars teeth (seen after removal of the lid);

The corresponding parameters removed from the phase sensor (using the diagnostic tester).

What you need to know about the chain drive timing

In most new cars, the chain service life is less than the service life of the engine;

Pay attention to unusual noises, especially after launch;

Avoid an increase in the life of the oil replacement - the more often the better;

Normal oil pressure ensures the operation of the chain tensioner;

If you change the chain, then definitely replace the gears (asterisks) and guides - they also wear out;

When replacing the original components, or high-quality substitutes. Complimentary components such as FEBI, Ruville, SWAG have proven well.

Reliable and unreliable timing timers

However, manufacturers still produce cars with a timing chain that can work out the entire service life of the engine. As a rule, problems with such timing does not occur for several hundred thousand kilometers. However, this does not exempt the owner from responsibility to regularly check the status of the timing chain drive.

Cars with durable chain timing: Ford Mondeo. 1.8 TDCI, MERCEDES C 200 CDI W202, Mercedes W124, Toyota Yaris 1.4 D-4D.

Cars with a short chain timing: Audi A8 3.0 TDI (D3), Mazda CX-7 2.3 Turbo, Skoda Fabia. 1.2 TSI, BMW 118D (N47), PEUGEOT 207 1.6 THP, VW Golf V 1.4 TSI.


Every driver for sure at least once wondered what is better to choose - timing belt or chain. This question is one of the most popular, rigorous dispute about mechanics and machine. Many car manufacturers increasingly prefer the belt. It is put on Volkswagen, Tyta and Opel with Motors V8 and V6.

However, the people are not afraid of disputes. In our material we will try to place all the points above and understand in all "for" and "against" the most acceptable variant of the camshaft drive.

Chain: Features, Terms of Work, Replacement Cost

If we talk about the chain, then this method is tested by long years of operation, it is relatively easy and considering the overall cost of the engine, the chain will be a minor part of it. Of course, such an engine is very noise. It's true. But after all, cars do not stand still, but develop, improving the insulation of the body and the cabin. Modern iron Kons So good that in most cases the noise of the motor is not heard at all, and if it comes, it does not annoy completely. For example, the Motors from the Volkswagen series EA111 - 1.6-liter atmospheric and 1.4-liter TSI - identical chains are installed on them, and atmospheric is much more noisy. In this case, the problem is hidden deeper. In the old motor chains, there were two-rowed, because it is impossible to immediately break this mechanism. But with the wear of the chain stretched and created a lot of noise. In this case, rarely jumping on a pair of teeth along the drive gears.

When special attention began to pay special attention to the length of the motor, the situation has changed. To be able to increase the volume of the cabin, began to reduce motor compartment. On the front-wheel drive cars began to install motors across. At the same time, they began to shorten the chain length. All chains have become single-row and acquired a good compactness. Now the thickness of the chain is even on powerful engine Compatible with a thick bike chain.

Width chain It matters not only because there is a need to facilitate the chain. Another factor is the position of the chain in the oil bath of the motor, inside the aggregate. Because of this, the block and cylinders and its head should be longer on the width of the chain. All this is an extra metal that takes the mechanism. In addition, thin chains began to rush. Loud noise - One of the signs that the chain began to fail. The fact is that along with the noise of the engine noise from the chain is not too expressive, so you can easily skip the moment when it suddenly breaks.

Double row chains In this case, it was more profitable because they could continue to work after a cliff of one branch, because the load on both branches was distributed more evenly. The stars teeth were launched slower, so if the chain was made of durable alloys, it could be considered "eternal". It was necessary to replace the chain in this case only during the motor overhaul.

The trend of facilitating the design and the desire to extend the reason for the emergence of new problems. Chains lost their durability and no longer exceed the timing belt service life. At the same time, the design with a chain is much more complicated with a belt, and replace the chain is quite expensive, besides diagnostics technical status This detail is very complex.

The average cost of replacing the chain mechanism on a four-cylinder motor is at least 500 dollars, and the replacement of the timing belt will cost $ 150-200. So when buying a car with chain engine It is worth a particularly careful to diagnose the timing of timing. It is important to take into account all the nuances and check every little thing.

Why are the chain motors are still popular?

Someone may have the opinion that the chain mechanism is not suitable at all and is the remnant of the past. However, this is an erroneous opinion, because in case of its truth, the belt would have been published for a long time.

Chains have their advantages. The first and most important advantage is a full-fledged security from any adverse external factors: contact with moisture and precipitation, temperature effects. Chains will not be from frost and heat, dirt and snow, which is afraid of the belt. The second important advantage of the chain is the accuracy in the installation of the GHR phases. Under large loads, the chain cannot be deformed, so even at high speeds in the engine, the initial installation of the shafts will be saved. And this in turn can be called a guarantee of preserving the high power characteristics of the motor. The third advantage is good resistance to periodic overloads, which rarely happen, but the nominal value is at times. In such a situation, a serviceable tensioner of the chain will not jump from the tooth to the tooth, and the gas distribution phases are not violated.

It is important to understand that the Systems with variable timing phases must be equipped with simpler therapists in the design distributive Valah. with chain drive. They do not need sealing, because the phase studies work on the principle of oil circulation. Chains need oil to work, and the belt does not tolerate contact with this oil liquid.

Actually, these are all the advantages of the chain drive. Let us sum up: the resource in the chains of modern type is not much higher than that of the belts, and in exceptional cases, belts show even greater performance. If you consider the high cost of replacing the chain. The price is the determining point, so the chain is changed only in extreme cases, and this is quite dangerous. In such a way, the use of the belt looks more practical and safe.

The chain drive works poorly, if the oil pressure is low, therefore, the circuit can occur during start and sudden pressure drops, which means poorly compatible with start and foot systems, as well as oil pumps that can be adjusted. This node is fairly expensive. It often happens that the tensioner works with failures during reverse rotation Motor, for example, during the commission of any operations in the car service or when you put a car to a slide, in this case the chain will easily jump on a pair of teeth, so during the start of the engine, everything will end in the depth.

Benefits belt

One of the most basic advantages of the belt can be considered its ability to bent into different directions, that is, elasticity. This allows the drive to perfectly cope with crowded oscillations, which on multi-cylinder engines with complex structures can have a strong effect on the vibration and resource of the shafts.

Another advantage of the belt is his silent work. The belt is usually sufficiently long, which contributes to good tightening with a mechanical tensioner, without influencing the installation of the TSR phases. They do not need to be additionally lubricated. The belt is capable of working in the same way both on the cold and on the heated engine. The resource of the part does not depend on the materials used for lubrication, as well as oil pressure.

To diagnose the belt malfunction is not difficult, and it is easy to replace it even without disassembled the engine block. Cheapness belt - Another plus mechanism, besides, it can be easily replaced by the regulations, without waiting for the critical level of wear of the part. Finally, thanks to the belt, the engine can be equipped with a more compact and lightweight block of cylinders.

Disadvantages of belt

Of course, the belt, like another mechanism, has its drawbacks. One of the largest vulnerability. No matter how sad, and the belt is afraid of oil, water and cold weather. Materials from which belts make, have a tendency to aging, and the belt resource is measured not by kilometers, but for years. So in case the car stood in the garage, the belt still agrees and fails.

If you increase the load on the belt to the limit, it can slip. This also applies to the sharp drift of the engine. When belts are installed on newest enginesThis increases the risk of oil on the belt. Previously, the motors were widespread, the design of which assumed protection against the lack of reliability of the timing belt drive. If the belt suddenly turns around, the camshaft immediately stops moving synchronously with the crankshaft. Because of this, the pistons will immediately begin to beat on the valves, which remained in the "disclosed" position.

Let's sum up

What to stop your choice? If you compare all the characteristics of the chain and belt, weigh all the "for" and "against", ultimately it turns out that these two mechanisms oppose the stability and quality of the belt resource and affordable price On its replacement, and more very stable to adverse effects of the chain, the replacement of which is quite expensive, and the work depends largely on lubrication and motion modes.

Car manufacturers are in constant search for the right solution. Two sets of characteristics compete among themselves, so the advantage to one of the parties is not observed. Opinions usually diverge. Volkswagen engines in the most affordable price segment most often use a belt, not an unsuccessful chain. Even on the very powerful motors German automaker also stand straps.

The mid-sized EA888 engines still use a chain mechanism that works quite successfully. Sometimes Masters Volkswagen even combined two mechanisms. In this case, the chain was used to synchronize the rotation of two camshafts, and one of them was driven by belt.

Opel, together with General Motors, now use the timing chain drive for all engines, including the smallest. Even despite just the relative reliability of the chain drive of the mid-size engine of the engines. However, there were no problems with the manufacturer's belts.