WHY YOU MUST KNOW IF YOUR CAR ENGINE IS TIMING BELT OR CHAIN DRIVEN AND IF AN INTERFERENCE OR NON-INTERFERENCE ENGINE.
This post covers:
-what a timing belt or chain is and what it does.
-When either is due for change and why.
-What interference and non interference engines are.
-How to check if your car uses a timing belt or chain, or an interference or non-interference engine.

INTRO

Do you love the power of the popular Toyota Camry or Honda Accord V6 engines and how fast they pull?

Do you also love that they are usually 'full option' (a colloquial term for the highest trim) and come loaded?

It will interest you to know that some model year Toyota and Honda V6 engines are made with timing belts and are interference engines.

Meaning, they need replacing at a certain mileage of use because if they snap (and they must), it will damage your engine. Same goes for any car brand model engine that is built with a belt and is an interference engine.

Peugeot users already know this. That's why most of them carry spare belts in their booths. Lol

WHAT IS A TIMING BELT OR CHAIN?

Timing belt or timing chain is a belt or chain (inside the engine for chain and beside the engine for belt) that keeps the pistons, camshaft and crankshaft synchronized. They basically harmonise the different working components inside of an engine.

If your timing is off, no matter how little or insignificant, it could cause serious damage. Examples are Incorrect ignition timing, engine misfires, rough idling etc.

It is important to know if your engine has a timing belt or chain to determine what form of maintainance is required. For timing belt, maintenance involves replacement while
timing chain maintenance involves lubrication and general servicing. A quick search through Google or your car manual will help you learn the recommended maintenance schedule for your engine.

Example of how to search? On your search engine widget, type: is 2004 Honda Accord Euro sport timing belt or chain.
Or
Is 2011 GMC TERRAIN interference or non-interference engine?


NOTE
A timing belt is made of rubber while a chain is made of metal.

Advantages of belts
Belts run more smoothly than chains.
Belts have less engine noise.
Belts are cheaper to make hence more affordable.
Belts are much easier to replace if damaged.

Disadvantages of belts.
Wear out faster because they're rubber
Need replacing after a certain period of use
Will most likely break when used beyond the recommended mileage.

Advantages of chains
Chains are Stronger.
Chains last as long as the lifespan of the engine and will not need replacing except in rare cases. Moreso when recommended maintenance aren't properly adhered to.


Disadvantages of chains.
Timing chain damage is more devastating because metal particles could damage other engine components.
Timing chains are more expensive because they cost more to make being metal.
Chains Increase engine noise.

INTERFERENCE AND NON-INTERFERENCE ENGINES.

Now you know about timing belt or chains, it is also important to know about interference and non interference engines so you know what becomes of your engine if your car timing belt or chain snaps - how severe the damage will be. This should help in being cautious in maintaining these crucial components so you don't get stranded and incur expensive repairs.

INTERFERENCE ENGINE

An interference engine is an engine design that has insufficient clearance between the valves and pistons in a manner that if the chain or belt breaks the piston and valves collides hence causing catastrophic damage to the engine.

What use is interference engine design you may ask? The design offers an improved compression ratio. By filling the engine with more combustion, it allows for increased performance and fuel efficiency.

NON-INTERFERENCE ENGINE

A non-interference engine is the opposite of an interference engine as described above. Basically, the pistons won't collide with the valves when the chain or belt breaks hence there won't be engine damage. Simply replacing the damaged belt will get the engine running again. And that's the advantage. The disadvantage is low powered or performance engine.


WHEN YOUR TIMING BELT BREAKS IN AN INTERFERENCE ENGINE.

If your timing belt breaks while the engine is operating, the camshaft stops turning but the crankshaft will keep turning and as a result the pistons will still rise in the cylinder and crash into the valves damaging them.

WHEN YOUR ENGINE TIMING BELT BREAKS IN A NON-INTERFERENCE ENGINE

If the belt breaks in a non-interference engine your engine won't suffer any damage but it will stop running. This is because in a non-interference engine, the pistons won't collide with open valves.

For the mechanics of how interference and non interference engines work search and watch on YouTube for better understanding.

Generally, timing belts are due for change if the car has clocked 60k or 80k miles or its equivalence in kilometres.

Some cars shipped to Nigeria with timing belt engine that has exceeded 80k mileage may have been replaced by the previous user if the car shipped with it service history. Beware some may not ship with service history so you have to find out and change it yourself. Or if its a low mileage car, change when it is due according to manufacturer's recommended mileage.

(If your car doesn't have owner's manual you're advised to download the PDF file online to your phone and possibly print a hard copy.)

However, some cars bought damaged or sold at auction as damaged, salvaged, stolen etc may not have been changed hence you need to find out and possibly get experts to replace. And when replacing, it's not just the belts. Components like the water pumps etc are replaced alongside.

Mind you, car mileages can get rolled back by sellers. We have experts with the right tools to roll back the actual mileage of any car. Some will outrightly buy another instrument cluster or speed clock with low mileage readings to replace a high mileage reading. This is why it's not enough to use mileage to judge or determine the age of a car and if you should buy or not. Moreso, engines and gearboxes get replaced too hence basing your judgement on mileage readings becomes insufficient.

CONCLUSION

Like I've already advised in my previous posts, always research whatever car you want to buy before buying as basic information like this should help you determine your choice of a car that should serve you best given our peculiar maintenance and lack of parts problems in Nigeria.

Don't forget I'm your neighbourhood car plug. I buy, sell and as well consult (read as inspect cars, with a professional scan tool, on your behalf before you pay) for buyers at a reasonable fee.

07060940113.

I'm based in Abuja.

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PS: go through my wall to read up on other important car tips that will be of immense benefit to you.