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POLL: Would you not buy a car because it has a timing belt?

Would you not buy a car because it has a timing belt?

  • yes

  • no

Results are only viewable after voting.
I predict bad results due to double negative in the question and poll.

What's this "big deal" you've heard about timing belts, curious?
 
KIAman said:
I predict bad results due to double negative in the question and poll.

What's this "big deal" you've heard about timing belts, curious?
Click to expand...

I read it a few times before voting. I read it again and I'm not sure. 😀
 
I voted yes because I probably wouldn't buy a used car that's nearing its timing belt replacement (or past it) with a guaranteed $500-$800 service due immediately.

For a new(er) car, I prefer a chain for similar reasons but at least you can see that one coming 5 years down the road. It wouldn't absolutely stop the purchase but it would be a factor when comparing car A with car B, since I tend to keep my cars for a long time and drive a lot of miles.
 
Meh, I tend to sell my vehicles before they get all worn out and start needing belts done and crap.
Let the next guy deal with it, I don't have patience to fix junk.
 
KIAman said:
Is that the "big deal" the OP is referencing? If so, I wonder how many engines fail because of timing belt failures causing damage to the valves.
Click to expand...

None that I own... 😀

Seriously though, it's not an ironclad rule. If I really wanted the car, I'd probably buy it and just change the belt early, or trade it before it was my problem.
 
It would not be a determining factor in my purchase. I have 1 car with a belt, 2 with chains, and 1 that's gear driven.
 
Timing belt maintenance and risk adds potential if not definite cost, I absolutely would make it a big factor in my comparison. And for the first time in my life, I don't own a car that has a timing belt and I just feel so much better that's one less maintenance item to worry about.
 
I've never had a timing belt break on my cars, and never heard of it happening to anyone I know.

I change it myself, costs 50$ every 100,000 kms. 😛
 
If it has a timing belt I don't want it... friend of mine had a belt snap on him and destroy his engine.

Why anyone would use a belt and not a chain I have no idea. A chain is much more durable.
 
SparkyJJO said:
Why anyone would use a belt and not a chain I have no idea. A chain is much more durable.
Click to expand...

Belts transmit less vibration and do not require a lubrication system. They also tend to be quieter than chains.

As for myself, I've had 5 cars with timing belts, two with chains, and one that uses timing gears. All (I think) have been interference designs (I say, "I think" only because I'm not sure about the one with the gear-driven cams; I've never bothered to check because, well, gears don't jump teeth).

I've never seen a properly-maintained timing belt snap. I've seen people try to go 60,000 miles on 30,000 mile belts and have them snap, and I've seen people try to go 90,000 or 100,000 miles on 60,000 mile belts and have them snap, and I've seen people with severely mal-adjusted tension or seized idlers snap belts, but never seen a belt snap "just because".

If you take care of the car, it's not an issue.

ZV
 
Not a consideration. I've changed 7 of them over the years in various cars, and I had one break in a non-interference engine that was way over the recommended miles. I don't pay to have it done so the cost is not a factor.
 
Would I not buy the car because the car uses a timing belt? Uh... no. Why would I not buy it? Tons of cars use timing belts(including my own!). What are they going to use instead? Timing chains? Those are noisy from what I hear.
 
I've changed one ( interference engine ) and had one strip on the highway ( non-interference at a point way beyond the change interval ). Doesn't really affect what I buy.
 
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