.
- Vote on answer
- posted
16 years ago
.
Forgot to mention the $$ the manuf. gets selling tensioners, idlers, covers (rusted screws dislodge nut inserts from cover) and of course the labor $$ the dealers get.
The group that loves tim> Chains are far better. Even with all the parts the failure rate is so
You probably couldn't hear it over the pushrods.
What rpm range did the 351W do most of it's operation at?
I've never had a chain fail, but I've had them get worn sloppy, as well as had a tensioner fail. The broken tensioner let the chain slip all kinds of teeth.
I had a '74 Ford pickup with a 302W that had so much timing chain stretch at 20K miles that it was slapping the cover. It sounded like a rod knock it was so bad.
Its also quieter and allows for lightweight components
Then you can shell it out up front for the more expensive engine because of heavier components and the chain; nothing is free.
And if they used chains with the heavier parts, extra lubrication and cost of the chain, the car would probably cost an extra... $500-$1000. Nothing is free.
Cha> >
How would a chain make it more expensive? The Suzuki SX4 states timing chain on the sticker and a loaded AWD version is Then you can shell it out up front for the more expensive engine because o= f
The chain is only one of the heavier components. More metal in the components makes them more expensive. Add up all the markups and the addition of the parts and you'll end up paying the same with no additional benefit. Nothing is free; nothing. You pay for it one way or the other. One is visible, the other is not. Your choice.
I always thought it was precision.
Look at printer and copier mechanisms, precision industrial robots, etc...
They use toothed belts in place of chains.
Chains are sloppy.
It could very well be. I'm sure you're right. However, my point is that it isn't just a big maintenance rip-off; there is a trade-off somewhere and you will pay for that trade-off one way or another.
I agree.
rip off? $300 is is tiny % of costs associated with hitting 100K miles mark: $600 - oil changes $1000 - tires $15000 - gas
A.
I agree too. In my opinion, a timing chain cover leaks more often and costs a lot more to repair. Some belts are a PITA and others are easy. I've seen timing chain tensioners in Nissans fail, and with a chain the manufactures always seem to have interference heads, so as well as the head damage, you have metal and plastic in the oil. The engineers do many things we wonder about, but designing an engine around "getting more maintenance" doesn't seem to be one of them. When I chose my wife's car, belt or not was not even a choice. I wanted a 4 cyl over a 6. Repairs are cheaper when you can get your hand into the engine. It was going to be a camery and the 2.2 was a great engine. Non interference, easy belt to change, but the Toyotas have changed to the 2,4 with a chain. Also is the new VVIT, where the timing gear on a cam can vary for emissions/performance. No EGR system, and those can be a PITA. But some other cars have had some issues with cam timing, so give up the reliable belt to a unproven chain. I had to rely on the Toyota name, and it's been a good car. Wouldn't care if it had a belt. We could take this same argument and look at belt/chain/shaft drive on motorcycles. Lots of trade off for each one
Anyway, my 2 cents,
I was curious to reasons why engeneers wouls use one over the other and found this. From
Next vehicle will likely be an Xterra or Wrangler. Both have chains so I wont have to shell out the $500 to fix it. One has a LIFETIME powertrain warranty so even if the chain goes at 400k miles it's free. No I dont buy "cheap" vehicles thank you. I buy reasonable vehicles that provide long service. The premium gas thing is a complete scam and even if I bought a vehicle that "required" it (not likely) I'd use regular gas and have NO problems.
9:42=A0am, "JD" wrote:
Well, let's see here; The timing chain equipped H6 3.0 Soob engines (to my knowledge)all recommend premium fuel. The 4 cyl Soob engines ALL have timing belts.
So....I guess you have no reason to post to this group anymore.
Carl
MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.