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Timing Chain (not a belt) in < $35,000 Sedans
I am on the hunt for a new car. I am interested in finding models that are:
1> Less than $35,000 <$20k-$25k ideal>
2> Have a Steel Timing Chain (not a belt)
3> V-6 Engine
4> Gas MPG better than 17/20 (city/hwy)
Please add any models that meet this criteria. Thanks for your help!
David.
1> Less than $35,000 <$20k-$25k ideal>
2> Have a Steel Timing Chain (not a belt)
3> V-6 Engine
4> Gas MPG better than 17/20 (city/hwy)
Please add any models that meet this criteria. Thanks for your help!
David.
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Comments
Ford V6 is a chain
Nissan Maxima is a chain
ARMTDM's point that GM has a great V6 engine that meets the criteria is right on.
http://www.gates.com/shared/brochure.cfm?brochure=109&site_section=automotive
BMW 3 Series----these cars use a belt. No V-6s made.
We'll see.
Timing chains and gears cause trouble too. The chains stretch, the gears wear and need to be replaced sometimes. The tension pullys also fail sometimes.
BTW, the BMW 3 series use a belt.
I just think people make too big of a deal over this. Belts allow tighter clearances and are quieter. So I have to replace mine at 90,000 miles?? To me, that's no big deal!
Heck, the timing gear on my 1967 GTO failed around 70,000 miles and caused me all kinds of trouble!
Another factor is noise...my Saabs were all chain driven, and being a "backwards" engine, int he morning that chain rattled throughout the passenger compartment until it warmed up. Not a big deal, but all that "munchy-crunchy" in the morning gave me the willies....
Another factor is timing chain stretch, which can affect performance over time (at higher mileages).
BMW 325s----yes, depends on year/series whether they have belt or chain. I said belt because I changed one for a friend recently, but yes, come to think of it, it was a 1990 model. At least she didn't do what Friend #2 did, which was decide that her 325 could go more than 60,000 without a belt change....it couldn't, and it didn't.
The Toyota 3.0 DOHC V6 has a belt and it is good for atleast 100,000.
Do performance cars tend to have the chain instead of a belt?
Steve,
I don't think the timing chains are nylon but the gears usually have nylon teeth to keep them quiet.
That's what causes the problems. The nylon gets brittle and worn with age and as the chain stretches on the worn teeth it'll slip. This can bend valves.
My GTO did this. I also had to have the oil pan dropped and the oil pickup screen cleaned from the pieces of nylon timing gear.
As a result, most replacement timing gears are all metal. They might make a bit more noise but will last the life of the car usually.
And, yeah, Shifty, I once saw what was left of a motorcycle engine when the chain actually snapped!
I've never seen a chain break on a car but I guess it can happen.
Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 twin turbo high performance has a belt. Depends on engine design.
change the belt (about 3 hours) for $27.00. All is well. Now that was a SOHC 1.6 not the
DOHC. Caution, some DOHC's will turn to museum pieces If timing belt breaks. I prefer
chain myself, but if you have it done by a good mechanic, no big deal. Replace it at 60K if you drive hard, 100K if you don't. Neighbor drove his Honda Civic very hard on a 75 Mi one way commute. Don't care for those rice burner bumblebee type cars, to each his own.
$35,000 Sedan owner's maintain their vehicles, most do anyway, so throwing a belt should not be an issue. The Dealer will remind you when to replace it.
Old six cylinder Chevys come to mind.
These also wore out and needed to be replaced after many miles.
The aftermarket replacements were usually metal.