timing belt

[Konkeler]

Why do they use a belt in the first place and not a chain? Also, I've looked at the engine before and I saw that the Belt drive was covered with a plastic housing. I didn't liek seeing that too much, the means it'll be harder to replace when the time comes.

[MichaelDay]

quote:Originally posted by quicksilverdon

Is slack in the timing belts why the clocks in the PTs run fast???

JUST KIDDING.[)]

Good one!![}][:X]

[Grouch]

As a retired service manager I'm telling you no matter what the manual says going more than 60,000 miles is just asking for trouble. The 120K is required by a few states ( very stupid ) but the belt is the same Going by the owners manuals on some items is just not a good idea. Transmission sevice, oil changes and things like antifreeze. Keep in mind once the warranty is over it's on you. The old saying a ounce of prevention is work a pound of cure is VERY true.

Konkler
Chains have been tried before and don't work as well as the belt in overhead cam engines. The belts work fine as long as you don't push the mileage too far

[AlmondTurbo]

My '04 turbo owner's manual shows timing belt change at 90,000 miles(B schedule). New Toyota Camry, and Corolla now have timing chains with 200,000 mile change schedule. I'll keep in touch with these forums, and see how belt life goes.

[fritz_t_coyote]

quote:Originally posted by Konkeler

Why do they use a belt in the first place and not a chain?

The usual answer: Cheaper to Build.

Chains cost more, make more noise, and weigh more (greater rotating mass) are Really Fussy to line up on a DOHC engine, and need to be kept constantly lubricated.
And last a very long time.

[RallyDRock]

quote:Originally posted by Konkeler

Why do they use a belt in the first place and not a chain? Also, I've looked at the engine before and I saw that the Belt drive was covered with a plastic housing. I didn't liek seeing that too much, the means it'll be harder to replace when the time comes.

if you are worried about a little plastic cover making the job harder i am guessing you are unaware of the work involved with timing belt replacement. its a pain [xx(]

[Cal Cruzer]

quote:Originally posted by RallyDRock

if you are worried about a little plastic cover making the job harder i am guessing you are unaware of the work involved with timing belt replacement. its a pain [xx(]

I have not done one on the PT but I did on my Volvo, I don't think I would do it on the PT.

[RinaMae]

Make sure that your mechanic knows what he's doing when replacing the timing belt. True story about one of my previous cars (a 1992 Honda Civic):
I took my car to a "Honda-certified" mechanic for maintenance, which included replacing the timing belt. I drove it home... no problem. When I was on my way to work the next morning (Southern California rush hour traffic, no less), my car went clunk-clunk-clunk. It turns out that I blew a hole in the piston of the engine. The mechanic, of course, did not claim any responsibility and blamed the problem on my driving. Just thought I'd share.
RinaMae [8)]