Timing chain or belt?

[guest1521]

A friend has a '1.4' Jazz 2002/2003. He wonders if it is chain or belt. I've told him I think it is chain (as with my iV-TEC) but I'm not 100% sure. 

Which would it be... and at what model/engine stage did Honda change from belt to chain?...if in fact there was a change.

He thinks his Jazz might be on the 'cusp' of the change. Also, his service book has a schedule for 'timing belt change.'

Can anyone advise, please.   

[guest255]

All Jazz models 2002-2008 with the iDSI engine have a chain.

The current Jazz with iVtec engine's I believe have a belt.

[guest2853]

2008-> have chain.

[guest1521]

Both iVTEC and iDSi have timing chain. A little research elsewhere and I've clarified that. Thanks both.

[guest1583]

Honds Jazz GD a chain..

[guest238]

Timing chains can fail ('death rattle' on MINI Cooper S) but don't normally need changing and are less prone to eat the engine if they do let go.

[malcolmgb]

Would that be the A series BMC Mini Cooper 'S' ? they didn't have a tensioner as such if I remember right.
Engine damage is down to cylinder head/piston design and not whether the cam is chain, belt or even gear driven.

[guest238]

That will be the BMW R56 MINI Cooper S from 2006-on - that is turbo one, not the supercharged R53 (2002-06) models. The engine is shared with the Peugeot 207 GTi and Citroen DS3.

It's the timing chain tensioner that is a well-known fault:

Quote:
from 'Buying a used R56 Cooper S' - the Cam Chain.....
"The major issue with the turbocharged S engine has been the noisy cam chain, which has been an issue from the start. MINI has issued several redesigned chain tensioners, with Richard at Mad4MINI advising that the most recent design does seem to cure the problem. The noise typically shows itself at idle when started from cold but if you find a car with a noisy chain at the right price, don't dismiss it: MINI's official line is that it won't damage the engine and Mad4MINI told us there's a simple way to avoid it, too: when starting the engine from cold, just let it idle for a few seconds to build up oil pressure before giving it any revs and it will be fine. A lot easier than taking the engine apart."

http://www.mini2.com/forum/second-generation-faults-fixes/185975-death-rattle-cooper-s-r56.html

They say it won't damage the engine but I've heard different.

[malcolmgb]

OK not a real Mini Cooper 'S' then.

[guest238]

Well, my first car was a 1982 Mini and SWMBO has a (BMW) MINI Cooper so I'm not one to argue!