Timing belt vs. chain
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
2003 E320
Timing belt vs. chain
Pardon my ignorance, but which is more superior - timing belt or chain? Chain seems like a more durable option to me, less maintenance spending. So why MB uses timing belts?
Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 180
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
93 300E
Originally posted by Gethen
Doesn't term "poly-V belt drive" imply use of timing belt? Specifically talking about 2003 E320
Doesn't term "poly-V belt drive" imply use of timing belt? Specifically talking about 2003 E320
A timing chain (or belt) connects your crankshaft to your camshaft(s), which opens and closes your valves.
Mercedes has never used timing belts. They always use a chain.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Timing chains are far longer lasting than belts and are much more durable. Only advantage of a belt is that they are quieter and easier to replace which is good as for the fact they generally last only 50000 miles. Most Japanese cars and some European cars use belts. I know of no German cars that do. Volvo did and may still use belts. Many poeople who have belted cars ignore the change, usually with catestrophic results
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 196
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
chain vs. belt
Chains are more durable and I believe just as easy/hard to replace. In the past belts were more quiet but I don't think that's true anymore...I don't hear MB chain noise in their modern engines...do you?
Trending Topics
Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 180
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
93 300E
I sincerely believe it depends on the car whether or not a chain or a belt is easy or hard to replace.
You guys are right. The benefits of a belt over a chain is that they were quieter and much cheaper.
The problem is that belts wear out quickly and need to be replaced every 60,000 miles and chains, in some cars, will last the life of the car.
You guys are right. The benefits of a belt over a chain is that they were quieter and much cheaper.
The problem is that belts wear out quickly and need to be replaced every 60,000 miles and chains, in some cars, will last the life of the car.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 591
Likes: 3
From: Mid-Atlantic USA
W203 & W204 3.0L 4matics & MR2 Supercharger
My old 450 SLC had dual row timing chains on both banks, it threw both chains on the same side, the engine wouldn't rev over 5000 RPM but I was still able to drive it to the shop, the only damage other then the two chains(and tensioner) was the spark plugs and wires. The old 3.8L V8s had a single row timing chain which I believe MB will still convert to dual row free of charge to this day.
My Toyota MR2 has a timing belt, but it's a Non-interfrence motor, if the belt snaps the pistons don't come in contact with the vavles.
NP
My Toyota MR2 has a timing belt, but it's a Non-interfrence motor, if the belt snaps the pistons don't come in contact with the vavles.
NP
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
2003 E320
belt vs. chain
Thanks for explaining this stuff! Here is another one:
If poly-V belt breaks, multiple pieces stop working. Add multiple bends in the belt to the picture. Why not use multiple belts instead and so replace total system failure with partial failures?
Originally posted by suginami
The Poly V belt drive is the belt that runs your alternator, a/c compressor, and water pump.
The Poly V belt drive is the belt that runs your alternator, a/c compressor, and water pump.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Thats the way it used to be done. With the Serpintine poly belt it runs quieter, there is less slippage and the belt lasts much longer. In addition the belt is self adjusting, with the individual belts there was always a maint proceedure to re adjust the tension. I have had Poly belts last 50 to 60 thousand miles and have never had a failure. They should be replaced when they show some cracking or fraying at the edges.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 864
Likes: 1
ML
Re: belt vs. chain
Originally posted by Gethen
Thanks for explaining this stuff! Here is another one:
If poly-V belt breaks, multiple pieces stop working. Add multiple bends in the belt to the picture. Why not use multiple belts instead and so replace total system failure with partial failures?
Thanks for explaining this stuff! Here is another one:
If poly-V belt breaks, multiple pieces stop working. Add multiple bends in the belt to the picture. Why not use multiple belts instead and so replace total system failure with partial failures?
If the Poly V belt breaks, everything will gradually slow down safely.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Lexington, MA 02421
2014 GL450
Someone mentioned above that NO German cars use belts for timing. Audi/VW use belts for timing and not chains. Porsche also uses belts on some models. Same hold true for BMWs. MBz seems to be the only manufacturer who has consistently used chains for timing.
I have found that the belts on my Volvo and Audi last 100K miles easily. Even then, they have had no cracks but I have replaced them to be safe. There are cases where the tensioner freezes prematurely causing the belt to snap.
However, I do prefer the chain in my S430 over a belt.
I have found that the belts on my Volvo and Audi last 100K miles easily. Even then, they have had no cracks but I have replaced them to be safe. There are cases where the tensioner freezes prematurely causing the belt to snap.
However, I do prefer the chain in my S430 over a belt.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
What I said was I did not know of any German cars with belts. I had forgotten that years ago my wife had an Audi that lunched the timing belt and the engine at 25000 miles. Ended up in court and she prevailed getting back the full purchase price of the car plus damages for breach of warranty. Would never consider owning one of those ever again.Re the BMW if any have had belts it must be the small 4 cyl 3 series. I have owned 5 Bimmers and all have had chains. I would really think twice before I bought any expensive performance or luxury vehicle that had a timing belt. Guess its OK for the small displacement economy cars.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 864
Likes: 1
ML
Belts have come a long way though. Nissan recommends a 60K interval between belts for my 89 300ZX turbo. On my 95 Pathfinder, the interval went up to 105K. That's very impressive. However, in all their new cars (eve the new Z), Nissan switched to chains!!! Belts are very expensive to maintain and get more so for the high end luxury cars. The chains are a bit noisy, but companies like Nissan have managed to quietten them down substantialy. Don't chains require some service at some point?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 196
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
chain service?
Chains do not require maintenance because they are constantly lubricated with oil. They can stretch over time but not enough to cause problems. Yes, they can break as well. Somtimes pieces of links break and flop around causing a loud rattle. In the past MB (and others) had trouble with chain tensioners wearing and causing noise.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Chains require no service or adjusting. They are to be changed out at engine overhaul. As far as the increased duration of the belts in some Nissans good luck. One trip where the engine gets too warm not even overheat will cause the belt to become brittle and will drastially reduce its service life, by about half. Nissa dealers do lots of belt changes and in their service departments consider this a real profitable item. The new Z has a timing chain for a reason, figure it out!!
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 397
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Ontario Canada
2002 C240 Classic - Orion Blue Beast!!
Originally posted by sosh
Re the BMW if any have had belts it must be the small 4 cyl 3 series. I have owned 5 Bimmers and all have had chains.
Re the BMW if any have had belts it must be the small 4 cyl 3 series. I have owned 5 Bimmers and all have had chains.
