Timing Belt vs Chain

23059 Views 26 Replies 19 Participants Last post by speedlever, Jan 24, 2020

Coldsteal

Discussion Starter · Jan 19, 2017

So I asked the sales guy if this truck had a timing belt or chain. I think they just did not know. Finding out that it has a belt. That sucks. If I keep this Truck past 100K it adds a lot of money maintenance costs. I know many years from now. Not happy.

I also wonder if they fixed / replaced the transmission coolant valve the goes into the radiator. I will replace at 75,000 miles.

This failed on my last truck (G1).

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longboat

· #2 · Jan 19, 2017

There are pros/cons to timing belts vs chains.

Timing belts are generally quieter. Timing chains stretch over time and the engine loses performance.

So, if your engine has a belt, it should still run like new, power-wise, when it has 150k miles on it (assuming you changed the belt!). The engine with the chain could likely be feeling tired at that point.

Yes, the expense is a PITA. Prices range from under $700 to close to $1k, depending on which dealer you take it to. Independent repair shops typically charge around $500-$600. I had my Accord four-cylinder done a few years ago for $400 by a small-town independent shop. You can also do it yourself if you are mechanically-inclined. My time is valuable to my family, so I let the independent repair shop make a buck off of it to help support his family.

Best thing to do is budget ahead of time so that it isn't a hit to the wallet. There is probably 20k mile (or more) leeway in the repair timeframe, depending on the environment your vehicle is operated in.

Joe indicated that the trans coolant line issue had been addressed on the G2.

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Coldsteal

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 19, 2017

Thanks about the coolant line. Thanks that will save me a few $.

That part cost me 2 or more years of use on my Gen 1. Still PO.

I am glad they fixed it. I have hopefully 8 or 9 years to worry about it. I hope Not sure if I will be keep it that long. Would like to go longer then 10 years

Once again thanks.

Cym

· #4 · Jan 19, 2017

As a DIY guy I prefer a timing belt. Easier and cleaner to do.

jschwanke84

· #5 · Jan 19, 2017

In my experience I always prefer a timing chain, but that may be because I don't ever keep a vehicle much past 100k. With a belt I would have had to drop several hundred bucks to replace it by then. With a chain I am golden and can sell the vehicle well before it would ever be an issue for the new owner either.

PETDOC

· #6 · Jan 20, 2017

I was under the impression, perhaps wrongly, that per procedure replacing a timing chain vs a belt was significantly more expensive, but that the belts had to be changed more frequently. If true what would be the comparative cost over 300,000 miles? Based on my real life experience with a Toyota 4Runner you will have 2 timing chains replaced during that time period. How many belts would you go through?

longboat

· #7 · Jan 20, 2017

PETDOC said:
I was under the impression, perhaps wrongly, that per procedure replacing a timing chain vs a belt was significantly more expensive, but that the belts had to be changed more frequently. If true what would be the comparative cost over 300,000 miles? Based on my real life experience with a Toyota 4Runner you will have 2 timing chains replaced during that time period. How many belts would you go through?

You will be close to your third belt change at 300k.

Belt change intervals for Honda vary depending on engine type and year of manufacture, but the average is probably 105k miles.

Of course, there are people who have gone north of 200k and never changed their belt. Kinda like playing Russian Roulette, except the consequences aren't quite as fatal.

Cochise111

· #8 · Jan 20, 2017

Many manufacturers are going back to a timing belt after using chains for years. It's all about the weight reduction and fuel efficiency, not to mention, as previously noted belts are quieter. VW is going to a belt that is actually bathed in oil. They must have found a new material that is impervious to oil, because oil leaks were the main culprits causing premature belt failures in the past.

hawk71959

· #9 · Jan 24, 2017

Is the Honda engine in the Ridgeline a Interference or non-interference engine? One will not be damages when the belt lets go, the other you are looking at possible bent valves, busted piston, etc....

Daughter had a Ford Focus lose its belt and she was lucky it was non-interference.

Carsmak

· #10 · Jan 24, 2017

Interference, last I knew, all Honda's are.

14v6

· #11 · Jan 25, 2017

I prefer the chain. That's why I love the CRV with the 2.4 for my wife or daughters. Just change the fluids hoses brakes and drive it forever until the brake lines rust.

What I don't like about the belt is for me (low mileage owner), at 7 to 8 years it's time for one. I usually sell or pass a car on to a family member at 10 years so it's a pain to invest in a belt for just 2 to 3 more years. To get it done at the dealer the right way with a water pump, idler pulleys, tensioner, etc. it will cost 1k or more and then you have to deal with the possibility of dealer incompetence. I have no luck with dealers, there is usually an issue when I get the car back. Kind of annoying to spend this on a 7 to 8 year old car with low miles and no I wouldn't roll the dice and extend the interval. Usually, this ends up as a contributing factor to buy another car. My understanding is that with today's cars the chain is for life but if you do need one or access to anything in there, it is a sealed environment and more expensive to service.

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eurban

· #12 · Jan 25, 2017

Don't those CRV's 2.4s need frequent valve clearance adjustments? Nothing to do with the Chain vs Belt discussion though . . .

Cym

· #13 · Jan 25, 2017

14v6 said:
I prefer the chain. That's why I love the CRV with the 2.4 for my wife or daughters. Just change the fluids hoses brakes and drive it forever until the brake lines rust.

What I don't like about the belt is for me (low mileage owner), at 7 to 8 years it's time for one. I usually sell or pass a car on to a family member at 10 years so it's a pain to invest in a belt for just 2 to 3 more years. To get it done at the dealer the right way with a water pump, idler pulleys, tensioner, etc. it will cost 1k or more and then you have to deal with the possibility of dealer incompetence. I have no luck with dealers, there is usually an issue when I get the car back. Kind of annoying to spend this on a 7 to 8 year old car with low miles and no I wouldn't roll the dice and extend the interval. Usually, this ends up as a contributing factor to buy another car. My understanding is that with today's cars the chain is for life but if you do need one or access to anything in there, it is a sealed environment and more expensive to service.

Chains don't last a lifetime but they would probably last 10 years. Eventually they will need to be replaced just like a timing belt.

14v6

· #14 · Jan 25, 2017

eurban said:
Don't those CRV's 2.4s need frequent valve clearance adjustments? Nothing to do with the Chain vs Belt discussion though . . .

I think it's recommended it the valves are noisy and at the 110k service. My brother in law now has our 02 CRV with 160k. I changed the plugs at 100k never had the adjustments done and that apparently is an art.

I have to read the manual, but I think the V6 could have valve adjustments too.

eurban

· #15 · Jan 25, 2017

14v6 said:
I think it's recommended it the valves are noisy and at the 110k service. My brother in law now has our 02 CRV with 160k. I changed the plugs at 100k never had the adjustments done and that apparently is an art.

I have to read the manual, but I think the V6 could have valve adjustments too.

If by V6 you mean the engine in the Ridges / Pilots etc then, they most certainly need valve adjustments. My comment on the CRV 2.4 is that I was under the impression that they have the tendency to need valve clearance adjustments much more frequently.

RogersRTS

· #16 · Jan 26, 2017

eurban said:
If by V6 you mean the engine in the Ridges / Pilots etc then, they most certainly need valve adjustments. My comment on the CRV 2.4 is that I was under the impression that they have the tendency to need valve clearance adjustments much more frequently.

According to the Owner's Manuals for my '13 CRV and this '17 RL, both engines have the same valve adjustment schedule. It's paired with spark plug replacement on a #4 service, in addition to the timing belt service for the RL on the #4 service. I'm in the timing chain preference camp, but will live with the belt this time. This can't be any worse than what my friends have experienced with timing chains & cam phasers coming apart on their F150's.

LadharK

· #17 · Jan 26, 2017

Atleast this way the pullies water pump etc gets checked. Yes it is 800 bucks but not bad if you have to do it every 6 years.

longboat

· #18 · Jan 26, 2017

Best option is to budget for the timing belt over the long haul so that you aren't surprised or blindsided by it. It is simply a cost of doing business with that particular vehicle.

For some people, it is a deal breaker. For others, they might see it as a minor cost of doing business with a vehicle that they foresee as being overall more profitable (or rather, less expensive) in the long haul.

CCDAstro

· #19 · Jan 26, 2017

Only thing that bugged me on the timing belt on my 06 is that just before I sold it, the damn dealer said "I was living on borrowed time" and I needed to replace my timing belt.

The truck had just under 50,000 miles on it. They claimed that age was just as important as miles. Sounded like BS to me as nowhere in the official recommendations did it say that. I did not replace it.

Traded it on the 17 (to another dealer) who did not even mention the timing belt.

CCDAstro

· #20 · Jan 26, 2017

For those complaining about the cost of the timing belt, compare that to the cost of a new battery for a hybrid or EV.....

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