Why Some Cars Have a Timing Chain Instead of a Timing Belt

[@scottykilmer]

⬇️Scotty’s Top DIY Tools: 1. Bluetooth Scan Tool: amzn.to/2nfvmaD 2. Cheap Scan Tool: amzn.to/2D8Tvae 3. Professional Socket Set: amzn.to/2Bzmccg 4. Wrench Set: amzn.to/2kmBaOU 5. No Charging Required Car Jump Starter: amzn.to/2CthnUU 6. Battery Pack Car Jump Starter: amzn.to/2nrc6qR ⬇️Things used in this video: 1. Common Sense 2. 4k Camera: amzn.to/2HkjavH 3. Camera Microphone: amzn.to/2Evn167 4. Camera Tripod: amzn.to/2Jwog8S 5. My computer for editing / uploading: amzn.to/2uUZ3lo 6. Video editing software: amzn.to/2jv5Fhf 7. Thumbnail software: amzn.to/2k7tz6C 🛠Check out the tools I use and highly recommend ► goo.gl/rwYt2y 🔥Scotty Shirts and Merch ► goo.gl/pTAeca Subscribe and hit the notification bell! ► goo.gl/CFismN Scotty on Social: Facebook ► facebook.com/scottymechanic/ Instagram ► instagram.com/scotty_the_mechanic/ Twitter ► twitter.com/Scottymechanic?lang=en

[@type2523]

Scotty Kilmer the best is the concept of the vw type 4 ,the only thing you have to do is adjusting the valves

[@type2523]

Scotty Kilmer Mercedes and a lot of vws have timing chains

[@weemzgamez4714]

Loved the edit when you brought up the Celiac 😂

[@ronvalley1973]

excellent information scotty, thanks and you rock dude!

[@suesan5111]

Holy cow Scotty, how many videos do you make in a week? I would be exhausted. Hey, how about that link for the hot chick leaning on that old school vw love van ?

[@MrJoeGarner]

Love the fact that your videos are only around 5 mins long. Cover a lot of info and no bullshit. Thanks Scotty!

[@jeroenjansen2709]

5 minutes of bull

[@manstersr]

Exactly and no loud rap music that you can't hear him speak over.

[@garlicgirl3149]

I don't mind longer videos as long as there is a point to it.

[@ayo30s]

No Doubt but I don’t mind the longer videos either, 👍🏾👊🏾✌🏾🇳🇬🇺🇸

[@UmmYeahOk]

originaLkomatoast he may live in Texas, but he sounds like a yankee. I want to hear THAT story. What brought him here?

[@justinwilliams827]

Love how scotty always sounds like he’s 9 shots in on a Wednesday afternoon

[@Therealgregthebarber]

Lmao, I always think the something!

[@nyabinghidjehutti8855]

I thought it was just me who thought that 😋

[@MilYun704]

That's why he's my guy 😂

[@yobryan88]

Rod Stewart? 🤣😅

[@aygwm]

I was thinking a couple lines.

[@davidrice2669]

An honest man, you should be proud of yourself Scotty!!!! I’m a mechanic aswell tho I don’t do these videos I’m glad you do you help arm a lot of people with knowledge

[@JJames.]

Couldn't Agree More with what you said mate.

[@michaelkelly6583]

I know nothing about cars but have learned much from you. I’ve come to look forward to your humour and energy. Bravo, Sir!

[@godgirlsguitars]

Filming at night. I appreciate Scotty for the hard work he does and for his honesty.

[@noelmedina6925]

He’s probably filming at the same time as always but the sun sets earlier

[@godgirlsguitars]

@@noelmedina6925 it has been getting dark sooner. I just thought he was bored one late evening and decided to make a video .

[@drchilapastrosodrlasmacas438]

I thought Scotty mentioned that he usually films in the mornings? It looks like dawn, to me.

[@MrWeareone777]

Adam F He's definitely like a cybernetic organism, a living tissue over a metal endoskeleton

[@petercandance2330]

Plus, a timing chain will give you ample warning before it breaks, a worn chain will make considerable noise, enough to be noticed. A belt will just snap without warning.

[@dosmastrify]

Or a tensioner can seize with no warning (same result)

[@andrewstones2921]

A belt will give more than sufficient warning, its called an odometer and being able to count the miles/years since it was last changed.

[@video99couk]

Yes the chain on my last 1972 Hillman Avenger made a horrible noise when it was worn out. The engine wouldn't have smashed itself up but changing it anyway wasn't too expensive. My present 1972 Avenger had the chain checked when the engine was rebuilt, didn't need changing. Good for another 46 years or so.

[@andrewstones2921]

@black guy Technically you are correct, but I was not being a dick, I was trying to express my opinion that if the timing belt is changed on time (by miles or years) then it's not likely to be a concern, and the "warning" is in the owners handbook rather than waiting for a noise. Sorry if I was not clear.

[@steve_put_this_here]

Absolutely not true. My parent's 77 Buick (Built with the 403 Olds engine) broke a timing chain with no warning - unless you consider a loud "BANG" a second before it broke "ample warning"! A chain link can snap on an otherwise decent chain. I recall my 79 305 making a hell of a lot of noise; not so much for the chain being worn, but rather the nylon teeth they put on the gears. That didn't break, but you could bet money that the gears and chain were replaced with a good double-roller chain!

[@alanraylocklear1117]

Rev up your timing chains

[@ChrisJones-fn6tw]

..unless you're driving an older Nissan

[@annebradley6086]

LOL!!

[@faiqcreates]

Pew pewwww

[@pcmacp719c1]

Rev up your Chevrolet Sonic with an Ecotec 1.8 interference engine!! Vroom! Vroooom! Vrooooooom... *_SNAP!!!!_* Change your Timing Belt on time... _OR ELSE!_

[@bencrosbie]

😂😂😂

[@turbo2000gt]

This guy does videos the way I like: concise. No fluff, just right to the point and hammers your with points.

[@stanroberts4820]

Changed the timing chain on my 77 GP at 300,000 miles. The one removed showed little ware,and was still good. Sold that car with 417,000 miles on it, I still miss that car!

[@MrSihle1]

Scotty was a Japanese Toyoda engineer in his last life time

[@krishnachowdhary7511]

😂

[@tkrdg7885]

🤣

[@siberianstuntman3344]

Scotty San!

[@josejuancervantes4686]

😂😂😂😂🤭 Yea, sure, he was 🤭🤭😂😂

[@kn520]

Scotty 'Toyota' Kilmer :-D

[@NeoJSsk]

I just put in my search “Why some cars has timing belt and not chain. First thing come up was scotty face... I smile 😎

[@Zeus-kj7nn]

Really enjoy your informative and no nonsense approach to the car industry. You are an asset to your viewers. Rest assured, you have saved decent folk alot of money and un necessary hassle who've watch your content. This is from an ex Mercedes Technician. Keep up the great service Scotty. 👍

[@ricardojishar8936]

I love how straight to the point these videos are. I feel like I’m asking the old guy at my local shop for advice.

[@preni428]

When I see timing chains have issues it's with the chain tentioners not the chain itself

[@WhitefolksT]

Ford Cologne 4.0 SOHC V6. Weak guides and tensioners. A chain on front for one bank and hidden chain in the MF BACK for the other bank, IMPOSSIBLE to repair rear without engine removal.

[@Trident_Euclid]

@@WhitefolksT similar problem with the older gen Colorado V6 engine.

[@Arz2003]

This is one of the issues the 95-98 Nissan Sentra's have is the tensioners. You hear rattles but they are excellent cars

[@Joshg1984]

@@Trident_Euclid i thought Colorado's only with 4's and inline 5's

[@rogersanchez9635]

WhitefolksT yes now that engine is bullshit typical ford

[@WelcomeToTheMadness]

If you want the real reason for anything do a financial analysis. Chase the money, it’s always the clearest answer.

[@jamescalifornia2964]

✔Sad but true ...

[@hanskinslo326]

Follow the money!

[@xs10z]

Except as Scotty said, timing chains cost more to manufacture than belts, yet most Toyotas built today have chains (some diesels actually have gears)

[@drink15]

That’s true except when its more beneficial to spend more money to make more money.

[@tientrinh6906]

Are you one of those commies who don’t realize chasing money has allowed us to buy food for $1.50 in 3 minutes?

[@mikezerker6925]

Scotty’s channel is so much better than all those other car review YT channels that only talk about power and performance while not focusing on long term dependability and reliability which is much more important to consumers!

[@JakeTerch]

My Honda RC51 uses timing gears and I think the gear whine sounds incredible paired with the V-twin roar!

[@Skidtire]

Geared cams sound better than anything else, screw the people who cry about the whine

[@fidelcatsro6948]

yup i love the whining noise of those VFRs!!! I wish my Suzuki bandit had those cam gears!

[@MacDrizzle209]

Had Sato exhaust on my RC51, music to my ears. Not to others 😂😂😂

[@iRyan876]

Lol, I really want to own that bike! One of my favourites and the BEST sounding bikes apart from the R1s with the crossplane crank.

[@bocajuniors55]

I love the gear whine on my RC51. That whole combined with the V-Twin sound is amazing.😊

[@ozzstars_cars]

Less wallet pain with a chain!

[@suolihuuhtelu]

unless you have that one one bmw where it costs 4000++ to fix and all of them were faulty :D

[@Your_username_]

Ettei olis ollu e46 318?

[@waifuracer6516]

Well... Replacing a timing chain can be a pain on cars with bigger engines. on a 3 or 4 cylinder its a 10 minute job and about 150bucks but on a V shaped engine it can cost a fortune.

[@edwardmartinez199]

It happened with gears to on Dodge the gear was made from alloy center and plastic teeth just as bad as a belt. All done for quite motors. Chevy no problem non interference but Dodge look out Pontiac to.

[@suolihuuhtelu]

n47 engine

[@johng8967]

Belt or chain, If the tensioner fail you hope you have a non interference motor.

[@rudycaballero392]

Them right.

[@SpareRoomPokemon]

So true. At the shop I work at we get several ecotec motors that come in and the guides are broken and the chain has quite a bit of slack in it. Broken guides and weak tensioners is not good.

[@Shino2600]

How do you know buying a car if it’s interference or not?

[@SpareRoomPokemon]

@@Shino2600 Good question. Honestly the owners manual won't tell you, a car salesman will most likely give you a blank stare. I googled it when I had a Civic to find out if it had an interference motor or not. Most vehicles have interference motors unfortunately. The only non interference motors I know off hand are Toyota's 1MZFE and 5S-FE (90s Camrys).

[@OtherDalfite]

@@Shino2600 no real way to know just by looking and most people won't know. 2.3 Ford motors are non-interference or at least my 98 rangers motor is. Just gotta Google it

[@whitewolf323]

Belts are for clothes, not controlling valves.

[@christineayres7094]

Yeah it's ludicrous to have a rubber belt controlling the timing of an engine, a timing chain should be mandatory on all cars

[@bar-sabas4801]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂Absolutely right

[@christineayres7094]

@@bar-sabas4801 Yeah manufacturers use rubber belts to save on costs and so the consumer has to come back every 80 thousand miles for new belts, saying that the Alternator belt on my car is up to 101 thousand miles only just Now making a squeaking noise but luckily the engine has a chain not timing belt so no worries there

[@sonny12681]

Cars have timing belts because cars wear pants too 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@davecrupel2817]

Thank you. Chains are superior in every way.

[@8080pc]

I had a '74 Mustang II, had 2 timing gears. one of them was plastic on the outside so it broke and I replaced with 2 new metal gears (aftermarket). Ran well for many years. Nice Video as always.

[@WhoWouldWantThisName]

Defeats the whole point of a chain. Leave it to Ford. Yet one more reason I stay away from their crappy designs. I'm with Scotty, Hondas and Toyotas, you can't go wrong.

[@electronicsNmore]

Excellent video as usual. My 2.7L/V6 Sonata has a great engine, but it's an interference engine. I replaced the timing belt last year at 128,000, along with the idler pulleys, water pump, and hydraulic tensioner. The other belt was in good condition for 8 years old. Took 4 1/2 hrs to replace everything.

[@99ron30]

The 2.0/ 2.4 Theta I is a chain engine in the Sonata, I would go with that personally. Not the Theta II, that sucks.

[@chrisbrunswick1398]

electronicsNmore :

[@Naturalhit]

Interesting. I have a 2.4 4 cylinder Santa Fe. I changed the timing belt, and replaces the whole timing pulleys with a kit. The belt and the pulleys were still in great condition. I could've just left it alone.

[@AlexDlugosch]

@@Naturalhit The rubber exterior of the belt may have been fine but the tensile cords in the belt are affected by fatigue over time, and there is no way to inspect these. Just before a catastrophic failure of the belt, the cords begin to break progressively and the belt lengthens slightly as the fibres break and pull through the rubber slightly. But again, there's no way to determine when this is actually happening before the belt completely fails.

[@brettblizzard13]

Watched a few videos of yours. I’m sure you get this a lot but you’re like the Bill Nye of all things motorized. I learn so much from these uploads because your charisma and fun attitude makes learning so enjoyable and retainable! Thanks a ton and keep em coming 👌🏻

[@bigdippervizionzjr5479]

🕺🏽💃🏽

[@chuckd.7048]

Scotty, COULD NOT AGREE MORE! Had a 89 Mustang, 2300 cc, 29k miles, Broke the belt!

[@willcal3679]

I love non-interference engines! 👍💯

[@kenguse4081]

Will Cal a

[@raydavies6236]

@Joe Paul Toyota still are mostly

[@richguev]

What are some good reliable non interference engine cars? With cams not hitting the top

[@ANDthe3]

@@richguev 97-01 Camry with 4 cylinder for sure.

[@eeyyaakk6801]

Will Cal how would I be able to know just by looking at the engine bay if the engine is non-interference?

[@Player16]

Hey Scotty, Back in the day, Ford made their engines (302 in my case) with a timing chain, BUT the timing gear had a thick nylon tooth coating on it. It would disintegrate at about 120k miles. The fragments would fall into the oil pan and get sucked up by the oil pump.Then you'd have to remove the pan AND the pump to clean it all out.

[@antonioPaulino]

Now what some of us need is to check if an engine has a belt or a chain. How to check that, it’s not like that info is written anywhere on the car or its documents. Great job scotty

[@bojned]

Hi Scotty, I am from Europe and have to say that things said here are only partially true for Europian cars. As it goes, car manufacturers tend to skip out on material quality so we had cars with a lot of timing chain issues. It culminated with VW Golf TSI engine which had a timing chain that I would not fit on a bicycle, let alone on the car. People reported that it overstretched after 25.000 miles only. On the other hand, modern timing belts are not made solely from rubber anymore. Today they are made from glass fibres and aramids (like kevlar), and some manufacturers (like ford) introduced wet timing belt system and they can last for hundreds of thousands of miles.

[@Michiganman800]

No one cares. Europe is gay

[@bujdosomarci]

@@Michiganman800 alright big boy

[@TII331]

I know a ford engine with wet timing belt and the original belt never lasted long. Atleast the European ones didn't.

[@Snake2303]

better gay than a murder!

[@audiawd7511]

MC Polž haha dobra

[@waatao9856]

You're editing skills are next level Scotty keep it up!

[@techytrendysolutions6063]

Your a Living Legand Scotty. Keep up the great work!

[@jean-mathieuleblanc6226]

Got around 220k miles on my '03 corolla basycally only chaged filters!!! Awesome cars.

[@Pfsif]

Rubbers break, ask any NBA player.

[@iliatchaplinski]

Or yer mum 😁

[@SourGrey]

I see what you did there... Lol

[@TENNSUMITSUMA]

Gold! I owe you a steak dinner!

[@Broncort1]

In that case...ask most Kardashian women. 😏

[@Lurod_]

Lol

[@19jacobob93]

A timing chain is a prerequisite for me when buying a new car... Of all 5 cars I've had, all have had chains. Have clicked 345,000km in my 2000 Ford Falcon and it still runs like new with nothing but fluid changes and the odd pulley replacing. Services cost me around $20-30 every 6 months on an engine with such a simple, solid design!

[@Bunkysworkshop]

We have a Tundra and a RAV4 and I do believe they both have timing chains. Great info Scotty. PS. No one want their rubber to break. Lol.

[@HUFF-N-PUFF-2024]

100% CORRECT SCOTTY I LEARNED THE HARD WAY. PERFECTLY GOOD CAR BELT BROKE SOLD CAR FOR SCRAP. ONLY TIMING CHAIN FOR ME GOING FORWARD!!!

[@gadsdenconsulting7126]

I had a Honda accord over 20 years ago that had the timing belt break, but it did not destroy the engine. When the new Saturn's came out I bought one because it had a timing chain. That was a great little car and I actually got 46 miles to the gallon Highway on it!

[@Deski502]

Scotty is a true O.G..he letting the truth be told about these scandalous car companys..salute

[@FordGTmaniac]

The main reason why timing gears aren't used nowadays has nothing to do with expense or the whining sound they make. Timing gears receive harmonic vibrations from the engine and adjacent parts pick up some of it. This trips the knock sensor in modern cars which makes the ignition timing go wonky.

[@dosmastrify]

BAM!

[@lilsammywasapunkrock]

My car has a knock sensor and a timing chain... As well as most modern over head cam v-8's for the last 28 years...

[@sw96]

@@lilsammywasapunkrock He was talking about timing gears (ie. a series of connected gears), not timing chains (ie. two gears linked via a chain).

[@brandonpeterman9964]

Good ol ford 300 straight 6 timing gears from the first one produced all the way to 96.

[@HardWhereHero]

@@lilsammywasapunkrock you need to learn how to read.

[@betruly7894]

Scotty you are right absolutely. I leave in Europe, and here ALMOST ALL the cars engines have a timing belt, all brands. I think BMW are the only one who still use chain, maybe i'm wrong. With that said, if one should only buy a car with a timing belt nowadays most probably he will need to buy an very expensive car, most peoples can't afford it. Luckily we still drive manual transmission :) Thank-you a lot for your efforts and time to offer us so short and informative videos, some one talk for an hours to deliver less than you.

[@dins5066]

I had my timing belt changed on my Acura MDX twice already. At 70k miles the first time to play it safe. And just did it recently at 145k miles. And my mechanic showed me my old timing belt it still looked almost new so those rubber belts are very durable and could easily do over 100k miles.

[@pb8582]

I have a corolla 200000km on it never did the timing belt still look new... Changed on my Hilux 10 years old 150000km did not even need it... Toyota belt good rest no good

[@habans1]

5:09 "and people want quieter cars, they dont want louder ones" shows pic of riced civic

[@christineayres7094]

The timing gears idea is what I want ,I don't mind a whining noise from the engine especially if it will last a million miles lol 😂

[@Daehawk]

My timing belt broke once as I approached a red light. instant dead and no start. Fun.

[@xaenon]

It can happen with chains, too - though more often than not, it's because the chain slips rather than breaks. Had it happen on an old Chevy. The chain didn't stretch all that much; the issue was that GM used a cam sprocket that had its teeth jacketed in nylon to help keep engine noise to a minimum. Over the years, the nylon got brittle and started breaking off, and once enough had worn away or broken, it left enough slop in the timing set that the timing would eventually jump.

[@laryanryan9170]

@@xaenon. Yep. Been there done that. Back then it was recommended to replace those GM chains at 60k miles.

[@ChrisBenoit4evar]

el oh el

[@yamahayz0426]

yeah you were supposed to replace those every so often. Heck my 1980 chevy truck i had to adjust the carbs in the fall and the spring for the change in weather. I think we all forget how much maintenance old cars really were.

[@TheOriginalSycHolic]

my GF's 2.5l did that right on i-95 in the middle of ft. apache the bronx around midnight driving home. lucky for us we had still had a bottle of bacardi 151 and met some cool people who helped us find a towtruck (they said cars get stripped on that part of the highway all the time and smart not to gotten too far from it..) a parts store, and a garage did the work for $100 overnight while we all hung out and drank and worked on the car. (bet you thought I was going a different direction when I started this out... ^_^ ) she got lucky the head and crank didnt slip it was the intermediate shaft that went to the distributor and thrown the spark timing off.

[@kkot1984]

when ever I search anything related to car I always end up watching Scotty's videos. Real legend

[@jblyon2]

My Dad's first question about any car: "Belt or chain?"

[@samtosh975]

Old school 👍

[@fourtry]

Belt

[@tomswinburn1778]

Loved my old ('96 and older) Ford 4.9 litres. Or 300 CID inline six for you old goats. Gear to gear, no timing chain. And those engines were built like a tank. Originally designed for industrial applications they got put in pickups as a temporary measure. That turned into long term. Great for us old guys that ran the wheels off service trucks. Bulletproof old iron.

[@charleshansen9502]

Ford's best engine. Bulletproof.

[@dw4940]

Interesting info. I just know they used em in older mustang's. Will file that away

[@zudemaster]

Scotty "I use a timing chain to hold my pants up" Kilmer.

[@PhoneSpecificationsUSA]

Great video. My dad owned a 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix that had a 428 Cubic inch engine. At about 30,000 miles, the timing chain "jumped". These engines, from the factory, had a timing chain containing metal sprockets that had nylon (plastic) teeth. It was the premature wear of these nylon teeth that caused the timing chain to "jump". Pontiac told him that this design made the engine run quieter. We all know that making gears containing plastic teeth was probably cheaper to manufacture. Thankfully, there was no other engine damage as a result of the timing chain jumping. The timing chain was replaced with a heavy duty, all steel timing chain and sprockets. The engine did not sound any louder after the replacement. 52 years later, the engine still runs good with the same, all steel timing chain assembly.

[@leegnichols7501]

a beautiful car 🩵

[@GameBacardi]

I'm happy with timing belt in my Toyota Avensis 2000 (4A-FE). I change belt myself, it easy beacause there is plenty of room to work under the hood.

[@TexasP00nTappa]

247k miles on my 04 Honda Accord, still going strong thanks to the timing CHAIN!

[@bEEBO178]

Why upper case?

[@muhammadislam0000]

247k!?😦

[@TexasP00nTappa]

@@bEEBO178 Chains are superior. No rappers named 2 belts, only 2 Chainz.

[@tuoitreomaha9096]

Kinda sad cuz they put back timing belt for accord gen 8

[@GH-oi2jf]

It isn’t the rubber that resists stretching in a timing belt, it’s the fiberglass or kevlar (or other material) reinforcing cords. I think Scotty knows that.

[@sahilsangwan6371]

Exactly

[@gregm5408]

I love the 🐍 under the hood. That made my flipping day. Good explanation on the Timing belt and Timing Chain Scotty. Keep it UP!!!!

[@Network126]

Let's go back to timing gears!

[@undateablejake]

Best timing ever invented. Good thing that for some engines you can get an aftermarket gear sets.

[@psi23k]

I love the whine. Sounds like a supercharger 😂

[@davecrupel2817]

Agreed. Im an aircractf mechanic. Trust me when i say every little 1 engine or 2 engine reciprocating engine plane you see or hear uses timing gears in their engine. Nothing less than *top shelf reliability* is even PERMITTED in aviation. And so it should be in automotive as well. And i question the "whining" problem because you dont hear it in aviation engines. But then again, aviation engines are far from quiet. Lol

[@machscga6238]

Get a Diesel truck... They still have timing gears

[@kiwidiesel5071]

Good call, I'm a Heavy diesel tech, the big gear only uses timing gears, had roller rockers and double overhead cams for ages too.

[@paulrodrigues9603]

Makes you want to slap the guy who sold the timing belt idea to the engine MFG's

[@christineayres7094]

Yeah timing gears and chains definitely the best, it's outrageous back in the 1920s cars were built to literally last a lifetime where as some of the crap cars today have planned self destruct dates , for example anything made by GM seems to explode after 7 years ,where as anything built by Honda will last you 20 years no problem

[@richracing7420]

@@Tiffany.1970 timing belts aren't bad. I prefer them on classic cars as a chain still needs maintence, especially if it relies on a tensioner

[@brian_jake]

@@richracing7420 true. I prefer timing belts because it uses pulleys for tension whereas the timing chain uses guides which are plastic. None is superior

[@jerryp2433]

Some German cars have problems with timing chains.

[@werearethedreamteam3724]

it's all about making money my friend.

[@simplelyrics7657]

4:05 “steel chains” almost sounds like he’s singing it😂

[@buddytheweim]

ChAaAins

[@doctorfeinstone6524]

Chayayains

[@kevinburns5762]

Ha ha 😂 proper made me giggle

[@michaelzernie7092]

My buddy's 2008 Jeep Compass is scap metal now because of the cheap timing chain. Thanks Scotty. Your videos rock

[@MrUnderEstimated]

Seems like timing gears are still the most reliable option.... I wont mind the noise cause materials used in modern cars eliminates external noise efficiently

[@wildbill23c]

You really don't hear any noise with the timing gears LOL. My 84 Ranger and Bronco 2 had the 2.8L V6 engine which had timing gears. When they switched to the 2.9L fuel injected V6 in 1986 they dumped the timing gears for a timing chain. Timing gears or a timing chain will be fine, its the built in expensive failures of timing belts that really pisses me off...they couldn't spend an extra quarter to just put a timing chain in rather than a damn belt that will fail and cause major damage in several engines. Engineering/cost cutting at its best, and they'll just rape you when you come in needing that belt changed because...well not only did they cheap out and install a rubber belt they also installed a nice plastic water pump for you as well that needs replaced at the same time.

[@lophilip]

Most modern engines are OHV design, using gears would make the engine take up way too much space in the engine compartment. If you want timing gears, look for a pushrod engine like the corvette.

[@pookatim]

I had a 6 cylinder Ford in 1966. One timing gear was steel the other was nylon. Eventually at around 100k the nylon gear would start to wear out or "feather". New set of gears cost $40. That was about a third of a week's pay back then for comparison purposes. It had no "whine".

[@hanskinslo326]

The old Ford 4.9L/300 cu. in. inline 6-cylinder engine has timing gears, in case anyone is interested....

[@Second_Insight]

I had one of those in a F150 when I was younger and dumber. Didn’t know what I had cuz I would have kept it. Those engines are legendary and were used many years in UPS trucks. It was a great motor.

[@chieftp]

yeah - a friend had one in a 70 pickup. it blew up when he was doing about 70 on the highway.

[@jonsmith919]

They put that in vans, bronco even f-250. Ford stopped putting them in 1996 . 300 cu inch 4.9 liter. Legendary motor

[@anonymike8280]

@@chieftp Either severe use or lack of maintenance.

[@daleslover2771]

Han Skinslo In my opinion you would be hard-pressed to beat those helical gears.

[@xStrayMongrelx]

I always hated timing belts in principal. The first time I saw one, I thought the engineers were completely insane. I spent a couple of hours trying to wrap my head around why any engineer would choose such a sloppy and poor solution to something that absolutely needed maximum reliability. This is why you should never buy a brand new car. Always buy used, a couple of years after all the bugs have been discovered. Scotty, I worked as a transmission mechanic. Quite often, we had to do rebuilds that required engineering updates to improve lubrication or solve other factory issues. It would be interesting for viewers to know how often brand new cars get these unknown updates that are only addressed after equipment failure, during the repair process.

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

You should buy used card cause they are more affordable. If you can afford a new car, it's best to wait till the end of the year when both delears & makers are offering incentives. By that point plenty of people have already noticed and reported the bugs your talking about.

[@urbancombat1000]

I love my 03 CVPI haven’t driven her since Father’s Day when I was driving back down from North Jersey on the GSP (Garden State Parkway) got to exit 44 and my transmission drum broke. Not only saving money to buy a transmission also during my timing chain when I had the time to do it. Hopefully this is the last night I’ll be riding the NJ Transit for awhile.

[@dparsons1225]

I love this guy... He is funny and informative..

[@anonymike8280]

He was for some time when he was younger a professional member of the media.

[@st_us]

VW Tsi ahead of the game using bicycle chains as cam chains, Innovation at it's finest.

[@samusitake1782]

stilkus true that, I have a VW Tiguan with a timing chain and no issues. I had an 2008 Passat with a timing belt and had issues.

[@PigHumanoid]

My 09 A4 is at 122k. Feels like a ticking time bomb under the hood.

[@hojnikb]

So does BMW :)

[@tigercat0924]

It's always the vw chain tensioners that fail which causes the engine to jump time and break valves. Mostly due to people not checking their oil. Very common on early vw cc, eos, b6 passat, mk 5 & 6 gti. There's even a warranty extension on it.

[@russellgilbert3453]

All of a sudden, I love metal timing chains!

[@headkracker6366]

My 92 5.0 Mustang has timing gears and you are correct, they are annoyingly loud!!! But reliable!

[@mattbauckman9907]

Chains are definitely better. However quite a few earlier v8’s (Chevy comes to mind) had cheap potmetal cam gears with pressed on nylon teeth that would wear out quickly and cause the engine to jump time or piston to valve contact. My 80,000 original mileage 1966 Chevy 396 had one of these gears on it. Went with a double roller with steel gears and teeth and won’t have to worry about it for a long time.

[@TheMaddog0266]

Older V8 (ford, chevy and Dodge) never bent valves even if the chain broke.....

[@alensley1368]

Yeah, I had a 69 Impala, 327 chain broke bent 5 valves and 4 pushrods in one head..lol..

[@screamneagle8420]

Steve Prince I’ve heard my Ford 4L 6 SOHC is a ticking time bomb because of the numerous timing chain guides. A couple of them look easy and inexpensive to replace but their are a few down below that I’ve heard are difficult to get to and very expensive. And to top that off I’ve heard a few of the guides are plastic!

[@mattbauckman9907]

Tony B NEVER?🤔

[@charlesmcgehee3227]

The nylon does help quiet down the whining. (not the customer whining, the engine noise whining)

[@Alecw51]

69 Mercury Cougar V8 had timing chain. However, the crankshaft sprocket was steel but the camshaft sprocket was some sort of composite that wore out. (I bought it used so I don't know if it had been previously replaced with cheap parts). Easy to replace timing chain and sprocket. Replaced timing belt of 74 Mustang II. But it was hard to put the belt on while keeping the sprockets lined up. It seems like it took a dozen tries. I'm glad they are back to gears. But I don't do my own repairs anymore. I'm too busy and modern cars are too cramped under the hood.

[@ldnwholesale8552]

All Ford gears of that vintage had nylon faced alloy cam gear. With a link belt chain. Actually quite a big job when they fail as you have to remove the whole front of the engine and drop the front of the pan to get the cover off and back on. And often end up with an oil leak after. Or pull the pan by lifting the engine up as far as it will go, removing the sway bar and pull the pan out by turning the crank so as to wiggle the pan off. though that is the best way as there will be all the dead gear crap in the pan anyway. Days work however with a p/s AC car.

[@knowsenough2bdangerous]

The problem I had on the two timing belts that I lost about 20 years ago (one on an interference engine 😢, one on a noninterference engine 😁) was not that the belts "snapped". Both sheared off the teeth on the belt at one location. Examination showed that the teeth on the belt were cracked and degraded. However, having looked at more recent belts replaced after 10 years, the belts seemed to be in much better shape with no signs of cracking. Perhaps the belts have improved? I don't think the engines are running cooler (which would presumably cause the belts to degrade more slowly).

[@Presto100]

This chap makes it look so easy and he is very clear and precise love watching these vids

[@jamesdunsmore5318]

In my car has a timing chain keep your oil level right and regular oil changes drive your car correctly and it last a life time ,am happy .

[@alexvieira7945]

2zzge baby..long live timing chains😎😎

[@VincentCS34F]

I have the 2jz-ge...... belt and interference (vvti) :(

[@alexvieira7945]

@@VincentCS34F :(

[@alexvieira7945]

@2012日本語がわかりません cool then.

[@Phannty]

I wish I had the 2zz... stuck with a 🐌 1zz

[@alexvieira7945]

@@Phannty lol 1zz is not that bad

[@garymckinley6974]

I stopped at a motel in Greenville, SC probably 30 yrs ago now. A man had a car in the parking lot after dark that wouldn't start, and I tried to help, of course. It was a Japanese car of some kind. It kept turning over and over, so I suggested we see if we were getting spark to the plugs, I pulled a wire and, No Spark. I then pulled the distributor cap. The rotor wasn't turning either. I told the owner to not bother trying anymore and draining his battery it wasn't going to start and his timing belt/chain was probably broken, the car wasn't going anywhere and to call a motor club if he belonged to one. I'm not a professional mechanic, but do have some experience, I was about 41 at the time. I sure hope I was correct in my analysis, as the car was still there when I left the next morning.

[@Broncort1]

Gary McKinley I’ll bet your about 71 now. 😏

[@robertprechter6804]

What was the point of that story?

[@davidgruen7423]

uare you but there is not a distributor anymore these days, so let the history be history… lol

[@Bartonovich52]

Honda was using cam driven distributors well into the 90s... long after domestics had gone to full electronic.

[@xeonic84]

@@robertprechter6804 damn avatar. I thought there was a hair on my screen.

[@cayitoeljarocho2736]

I have a 2002 Nissan Frontier 2.4L with a Timing Change and 198 k Miles ,I love this old little truck.

[@jamesryan6224]

I like the old gear timing. In the 70's you could buy a bolt-on after market timing gearbox to replace the chain set up, remember that, Scotty?

[@joeyoung1498]

No way!

[@orangefaygo1]

You can still buy a gear setup for Chevy 350s.

[@ericscaillet2232]

@@orangefaygo1 correct - the datsun pulsar had timing gears as well....late 70"s

[@roberthunter5059]

If you have a big stack of gears going to an overhead cam, you're costing yourself a significant amount of power through gear friction loss.

[@ericscaillet2232]

@@roberthunter5059 true -every systems have their pros and cons,personally I prefer a cam chain as opposed to a belt where good quality guides are paramount to that system-presently have a cam belt with an interference motor which is a disaster if the belt goes.

[@johnd4348]

All cars should have timing chains. Last longer and does not have to be changed. I would prefer gears. I can put up with a little noise if they are dependable.

[@lilsammywasapunkrock]

I can't hear it feel my timing chain. And my v-8 doesn't rattle the way a I-4 does anyways.

[@moviejose3249]

Hard to believe gear on gear meshing is louder than a freaking long chain. I have been in older cars with cams at the bottom and no whinning.

[@sw96]

@@moviejose3249 If you want quieter gears just go with helical cut gears rather than straight cut, it's what we use in most transmissions to keep them quiet, the trade off is cost of manufacture and you can give up on overhead cams unless you want a whole series of gears.

[@alelokox88]

The problem with the gears wasn't the noise as he says, actually is the weight and balance of the engine and parts, making it a little more expensive to engineer and produce the engine and car itself.

[@someweeb3650]

The whine is similar to the whine you hear in reverse.

[@Elkins82ify]

Fantastic info, Scotty! Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge!!

[@BrooklynBounce]

I have a 92 mitsubishi 3000gt vr4 that I bought brand new in 1992. But these days I run a Gates racing Kevlar blue timing belt. It's worth paying the extra 50 bucks on the racing belt for the peace of mind. As for everything else that rides on my timing belt like the water pump and hyd tensioner. All that is always replaced with genuine mitsubishi oem parts.

[@sebione3576]

Thanks Scotty, for filling in the gaps in my knowledge :)

[@supermanreturns3659]

I hate cars with timing belts. Another point of failure

[@CookiesUnleashed]

Badly designed timing chains are also a huge point of failure

[@brian_jake]

@@CookiesUnleashed true esp with plastic guides

[@patrykrog8121]

@@CookiesUnleashed ive got a car which needs the chain reaplaced as often as the belt so its more expensive. We need to go back to gears

[@kevinburns5762]

Ha ha. See BMW n47 diesel engine

[@aygwm]

As opposed to a chain that has hundreds more points of failure?

[@chewie3397]

This man is fantastic love his videos

[@benkayvfalsifier3817]

And in a short period of time I learned more about my vehicle in an easy to undestand form by an enthusiastic and entertaining man without paying an enormous fee.

[@GallopingTrader]

Timing chains where not all sunshine and lollipops. For a while (in the 70's at least), GM was using nylon coated teeth on the timing gears to make the chains run quieter. The nylon on the teeth would give out over time and cause the chain to jump one or more teeth. This was obviously better than breaking a belt. But it did cause the engine to quit running, sometimes without warning. It was a popular choice to replace the nylon toothed gears with all steel units when they failed.

[@denniswalsh8476]

My 1969 350 Camero with a nylon coated cam sprocket jumped a tooth at 60K. Happen while starting so only minor damage. Went to the "speed shop" and bought a double link roller chain and sprockets kit. The shop said it might be "kind of loud". So was the whole engine and exhaust so..... "so what". Ran fine until I sold it with 140K and man, I wish I still had that car.

[@damonlemasters3424]

They were non interference tho. Also with the old GM engines with EGR your best bet was to change the cam and lifters if they were still stock because they would heat up get soft and wear out the lobes closer to the EGR.

[@oldarkie3880]

70s GM cars were junk. I had a 77 chevy Nova 305 V8. Valve guides drilled crooked resulting in broken rocker arms, Carb only bolted with 2 bolts, constantly working loose, Rear leaf springs broke, Landau vinyl roof caused rust around "fake" porthole window. differential cover leaked oil when new. body sheet metal not straight.The worst car I have ever owned. Timing chain was about the only thing that did not break LOL

[@mateodelcastillo7186]

GallopingTrader all of us GM guys already got that memo and we already swapped those nylon gears out immediately. Let’s put that behind us and move forward

[@michaela.660]

So true and all GM V's, had that nylon coat. 95 % of the time it failed and slipped timing was on cold start, the back lash of the timing chain associated with the backfire would do the already weak nylon in and valve timing would jump 10-30 degrees out. As it was that was good, with the no start/no run it kept the valves safe from being bent or pistons from being shattered.

[@mqbitsko25]

Honda V6 used in the Accord has a belt, and it IS an interference design. But it has iVTEC. If the belt breaks the valves snap shut, saving the engine. But most Hondas these days have chains.

[@moviejose3249]

bullshit

[@YZJB]

Mickey Bitsko That’s not how VTEC works! If it’s interference, it’ll hit!

[@macdavishgaming5649]

@@YZJB Maybe he is are trying to say if iVTEC cam is have enough lift that it can be interference engine but the normal non-VEC cams dont have enough lift to hit the piston head... not sure correct if I am wrong

[@YZJB]

Macdavish Gaming I think he is saying that the intake valves will close and save the engine, but this is not true

[@gm92845]

If you get the 4 cylinder Honda Accord which I think is K24 engine, it uses a timing chain.

[@weemzgamez4714]

Loved the edit shown when you brought up the Celiac 😂

[@duketogo2616]

You silly yak.

[@weemzgamez4714]

steve b Weird thing to get mad about but okay? 😂

[@mahhubbard]

Scotty dude I've seen all your video's. Well most of them I'm becoming a car guru, and driving the guys at work crazy with my Scotty says info, your the best.

[@samrossispeakssingsfilms2781]

I got the feeling you don't like Nissan very much Scotty. Just a hunch!!

[@dufus2273]

love my Titan. Steel timing chain. Forged crank. thin body metal.

[@samrossispeakssingsfilms2781]

@@dufus2273 good to hear something positive about Nissan. Nissan Altima is definitely quality! Sorry Scotty! Think it's about knowing the models and years of a brand.

[@DAN007thefoxx1]

He likes the old ones pre-Renault merge. And my Grampa's neighbor has a Datsun 280Z.

[@RicardoCanedoMX]

Sam Rossi Songwriter Not all Nissan’s are bad. Nissan Leafs are super reliable!

[@andyp8464]

Nissan GTR > any Toyota lol

[@NeoJSsk]

2:06 that image right there tells that Scotty is just epic accurate with ur reaction 😂😂😂🙈👍🏼

[@CatsMeowPaw]

I had a timing chain fail in a Mercedes at only 67,000km. Ruined the engine. Chains can fail too.

[@eponymous7910]

VW/Audi Timing Chains suck too. There's a good reason they've reverted back to belts

[@flydwht]

I agree I have a 2007 Honda Accord with 143000 mi. Timing chain "jumped". Did the mechanic do a leak down test, I needed to replace my engine a K20. then I am told that chains are not relible past 100K.

[@RaffiJaharian]

Edward H vw timing chains fail because of cheap plastic guides

[@KidJaeProductions]

Timing belts, for the most part, depending on how it's made) are the worst thing ever.

[@efrensaclolo7021]

You've got a bad lemon Listen to Scotty, No on Mercedes and BMW...

[@S.L.S-407]

Thank you Scotty, I was just learning about timing chains vs timing belts. It was perfect timing. : )

[@krunobrzi666]

With the timing belt, there is never a problem if it is changed to the prescribed mileage or the time period that the belt and engine manufacturer predicts. It is important to follow the service instructions. Today, some car manufacturers like VW group, built chains of very poor quality that last for much less than the belt, it's stretching too much and can destroy the engine.

[@oldarkie3880]

One problem is that many Japanese cars hit the used car market with a high price because of perceived reliability, However; some have never had the timing belt changed (expensive repair) . So the reliability is false.

[@Yakobito]

@@oldarkie3880 It's up to the buyer to figure out when the last timing belt replacement was done & has nothing to do with the overall reliability of a vehicle. Poor timing belt/chain maintenance doesn't equate to an unreliable vehicle. It means the timing belt needs to be replaced.

[@IAmTanu94]

Larry Schwartz this is why you have to change the timing belt (and the oils, filters, etc.) immidiately after you buy a used car, because you didn’t know when the previous owner changed it.

[@ldnwholesale8552]

Belts though never like even tiny oil leaks onto them, neither do they like dirt. And old engines leak oil, and many have had the belts replaced often and the seals on the covers do not seal as well. that is fact.

[@TiborRoussou]

Enjoy changing stupid belts; often :)

[@Aviatr23]

It's always the same cycle over and over....new guy says we need to dump this old crap...I can save you millions. Gets promoted. By the time that idea causes all sorts of pain it's too late. Then a new new guy comes in and fixes the last bad idea with a another new idea that is actually the old one abandoned by the first guy. Now he gets promoted. When all along we should have just been making sturdy reliable products that work for the long haul. We never seem to realize that new technology often replaces our old problems with new ones. Either way you still have a problem and nowadays you often wind up with more of them.

[@tbillyjoeroth]

Paper or plastic?

[@Aviatr23]

@@tbillyjoeroth plastic=more useful.

[@rynohorn3819]

Like the guy who said DI was the end all be all.... I've seen those so gummed up it choked the air trying to get past the intake valves on gas engines! What a joke

[@louisstennes4542]

Exactly why I will never buy a car with a turbo engine. Enough said.

[@kevinedwards4223]

So true that’s the lexus attitude and toyota - build it to last and make it right the first time.

[@toadiri]

That snake under the hood did it for me :)) you can tell Scotty has a lot of fun editing his videos :)

[@tim9817]

this guy cracks me up. I don't agree with everything he says, but he gives great info for a novice car person

[@VoloKinProject]

Plastic chain tensioners...living that Jaguar XJ8 life.

[@Nist12]

a plastic piece in the engine block? wow.. why they do this

[@VoloKinProject]

@@Nist12 saving money I guess. Second gen were half plastic and finally after 4 years the 3rd gen were all metal.

[@RickTrajan]

Good luck looking for chain guides made of metal

[@jonsmith919]

Toyota 22r has chain guide problems

[@Yhrim70]

how about the plastic timing gears...

[@TRCFL]

The tensioner on my chain driven VR6 failed, causing the chain to slip and yup, smashed the valves. While chains are great, it’s the other phenolic crap that can undermine the chains reliability and result in catastrophe.

[@wayneparris3439]

easy, don't use plastic gears :O

[@williscurry6557]

@@wayneparris3439 Try telling gm that. Especially the Iron duke & GM 122 engine era. AKA 2.2~2.5 valve benders.

[@KingOath]

What happened to good ol fashion manual chain tensioners

[@baldheadlogic]

Thank You for this review

[@manstersr]

I have a Honda with gear driven cams. It's a 700cc V4 Interceptor and only has two wheels. It does make a slight whining noise like you said but with motorcycles and the constant mesh transmission gears they always make a whining noise to some degree and it's not very noticeable over the exhaust anyway. Nice accurate description and presentation.

[@HelloThereUniverse]

Morning Scotty!!

[@scottykilmer]

morning!

[@danc1197]

Timing belts are only used for ohc engines. Ohv engines always used chains. The camshaft is a lot closer to the crankshaft on an ohv engine because its inside the block so the chain is very short. Ohc engines have a longer distance between crankshaft and camshaft so they use belts because a long chain can be a problem on the earlier ohc models. Ohc v engines have even more distance to cover because there are 4 cams that the belt has to reach around.

[@bjkarana]

*reach around*

[@timothykeith1367]

I like those classic "underhead cam engines"

[@james-ch]

Rolls ohv use timing gears

[@court2379]

This is not true. My Ford taurus has an overhead cam, with a chain. The length of the chain is irrelevant to anything but cost.

[@jaded2424]

Used to be able to buy a timing belt and gear set for V-8 engines I think it was for people that would degree their engines.

[@davidwombold4839]

Found out the hard way in my wifes Acura. Belt broken, good bye engine, good bye car. My '03 Ford Expedition 4.6 has 206,000 miles with the original chain. Runs like a champ.

[@kingsleymodeji620]

Scotty is amazing. Watching his videos has severally saved me money