Timing chain or belt?

[culzean]

Some belts such as on the VW group 1.4 TSi ACT engine are designed to last the life of the engine.

Maybe,  but not sure how some oil additives may affect belt materials, having worked with belts and chains in industry,  I have more faith in chains (especially when they are running in oil all the time) as I am pretty sure that whatever goes into the engine (except sulphuric acid or similar) will not make chain deteriorate. 

The belt people had to come up with a new product because they had basically lost the worldwide timing belt market to chains, but wonder if new belts are all they claim to be - only time will tell.

There is a lot at stake if the timing belt breaks on modern engines with high CR because there isn't any clearance for valves above piston crown,  which means the valves ARE going to get bent,  or holes in piston.

[jazzaro]

Wet belts as the Honda 1.0, the PSA 1.2, the VW 1.4 should last 250000km... but they are not literaly "wet", but they are not oiled as a chain or a piston: they are only "blowed" by oil vapour, and this very small amount of oil provides lubrication and a longer life cycle.
If you use the correct oil without addittives, you will have good possibilities that the belt will resist.

[guest6112]

Wet belts as the Honda 1.0, the PSA 1.2, the VW 1.4 should last 250000km... but they are not literaly "wet", but they are not oiled as a chain or a piston: they are only "blowed" by oil vapour, and this very small amount of oil provides lubrication and a longer life cycle.
If you use the correct oil without addittives, you will have good possibilities that the belt will resist.

As the belt is driven by the crankshaft (in the sump) it will get a bit more oil than a "blow of vapour".

http://www.ngfglasscord.com/en-gb/glasscord-products/belt-in-oil

[culzean]

If you use the correct oil without addittives, you will have good possibilities that the belt will resist.

saying belt only gets blow of oil mist (as if oil is somehow chemically different to its mist / spray) is like saying that water mist is not the same chemical mix as water

As I said,  once car has left the showroom the manufacturer has absolutely no control of what oil people use, or what they may add to the engine oil,  what happens if people run 'flushing oil' during an oil change (unlikely these days, but possible).

[guest1372]

Some belts such as on the VW group 1.4 TSi ACT engine are designed to last the life of the engine.

And many other VW Group engines want a belt changed every 4 years ~£500.

It's got it's own column in my 'Jazz Replacement Options' spreadsheet.
--
TG

[RichardA]

Some belts such as on the VW group 1.4 TSi ACT engine are designed to last the life of the engine.

And many other VW Group engines want a belt changed every 4 years ~£500.

It's got it's own column in my 'Jazz Replacement Options' spreadsheet.
--
TG

If I remember correctly the 2.0-litre TSi engine in the Mk5 Golf GTi required a belt change on a different time/mileage schedule to the same engine in the Audi A3 - makes one wonder why.

[guest5589]

Some belts such as on the VW group 1.4 TSi ACT engine are designed to last the life of the engine.

And many other VW Group engines want a belt changed every 4 years ~£500.

It's got it's own column in my 'Jazz Replacement Options' spreadsheet.
--
TG

I like the sound of that spreadsheet