Unpopular opinion: I think timing chains are actually better than belts in most engines

Everyone in this sub seems to love timing belts these days, but after swapping a belt on my buddy's 2017 Honda last month, I'm just not sold. The belt broke at 95,000 miles and bent half the valves, cost him $2,400 to fix. I've got a 2004 Ford with a timing chain at 210,000 miles that still runs quiet and never had an issue. Sure chains are heavier and noisier sometimes, but do you really trust a rubber belt to hold up past 100k?

2 comments

2 Comments

torres.jason18d ago

That 95k belt snap on a modern Honda is pretty rare honestly, most folks get well past 100k without issues. I'd say this whole debate is way overblown for daily drivers.

alices1618d ago

Your 95k snap is rare sure but that doesn't mean the rest of us are safe. Honda belts are good but they still fail without warning sometimes way before 100k. Ive seen plenty of posts where people follow the manual to the letter and still get hosed. The real issue is timing components on these newer engines are flimsy compared to older stuff. Not overblown at all if you drive a car that costs more than its worth to fix after a snap.