Why have cars moved to a timing chain

Question

The old Corollas in the 70s and 80s had timing chains. In the 90s, Honda, Toyota, and even Nissan started making belt-driven cranks instead of chains. Now they are back to timing chains. What happened?

In: Engineering

Answer 1

Theoretically, belts need to be replaced more frequently. My 2012 Jetta TDI (which is the only belt driven timing system I’ve ever owned) called for a belt replacement every 110,000 miles if memory serves correct. My 2013 GMC Sierra has a timing chain that will last the life of the vehicle per GM guides which GM builds for trucks around a 1/4 million mile service life. Modern chains just to stretch like older chains did and tend to outlast modern belts.

Now timing gears….now we are talking. They will last the life of the engine (which in those applications may outlast several vehicles).