However, the age of car you are buying and how long you intend to keep it may influence your choices. If you are buying new then it should not be a concern assuming you are planning to stick to the recommended service intervals - or even more frequent than that.

Chromesteelcomposition

If you are buying an older car and you plan to keep it for several years, you may wish to consider choosing one with a timing belt. Because engines with timing belts usually have a scheduled time for replacement, you can budget in advance for it and plan for when you will have the work carried out. Generally it is also a cheaper process, although this does depend on the particular car.

1.0-litre 1.2-litre, 1.4-litre, 30 TFSI, 1.5-litre, 35 TFSI petrol - belt. 1.8-litre, 2.0-litre, 40 TFSI, e-tron, 2.5-litre - chain

1.0 MPI, 1.0 BMT, 1.0 TSI, 1.2 TSI BMT (EA211), 1.4 TSI petrol - belt. 1.2-litre, 1.2 TSI (EA111) 1.4-litre, 1.6-litre, 2.0-litre - chain

Timing belts and timing chains have their inherent advantages and disadvantages, so one is not clearly better than the other.

Not sure whether a car is fitted with a timing chain or a belt? We've listed every make and model on sale at the moment and over the past few years to help you out.

Low carbon steels containing 12 to 30% chromium are the ferritic stainless steels (e.g. 430, 409) which are not heat treatable. Increases in mechanical properties can only be achieved by cold working. The corrosion resistance of this group is significantly better than the high carbon high chrome steels.

In simple terms, the timing belt or chain controls the rotation of the camshaft, which in turn controls the opening and closing of the valves in the cylinder head. For your car’s engine to work optimally, the opening and closing of the valves needs to be precisely timed.

1.0-litre 1.2-litre, 1.4-litre, 30 TFSI, 1.5-litre, 35 TFSI petrol - belt. 1.8-litre, 2.0-litre, 40 TFSI, e-tron, 2.5-litre - chain

ChromeSteelprice per kg

Additions of chromium (in excess of 12%) to steel compositions, gives rise to a stable surface film of chromium oxide, the stability of the film increasing with increasing chromium content. This oxide film confers corrosion resistance and is the basis on which the stainless steel family is built.

In most situations a visual inspection of a timing belt or timing chain will reveal little about its condition - unless it is very close to the point of failure. However, there are some other signs that may indicate the part is worn as it affects how the engine runs.

Chromesteelalloy

High carbon high chrome steels are heat treatable as a consequence of the higher carbon content, and are known as martensitic stainless steels (e.g. 410, 416). They do, however, exhibit lower corrosion resistance due to chromium depletion of the oxide film. They exhibit good strength and oxidation resistance up to 750°C, although their creep strength above 600°C is poor.

1.6 EcoBoost, 2.5-litre petrol - belt. 2.0-litre, 2.0 EcoBoost 203PS, 2.0 Flexifuel, 2.0 EcoBoost 240PS, 2.3-litre - chain

High chromesteelcomposition

Just as with the proverbial piece of string, the cost of a timing belt change varies considerably between manufacturers, specific engines, and where you have the work carried out.

On a basic level, a chain is a more sturdy component than a belt made of reinforced rubber, as well as having gaps for the timing sprocket’s teeth to fit into as a natural part of their design.

1.0 EcoBoost 85PS (SFDC) - belt. 1.0-litre EcoBoost 101PS (B3DA), 1.0-litre EcoBoost 125PS (B7DA), 1.5-litre EcoBoost, 2.3-litre EcoBoost - chain

Oil leaks, poor performance, unusual noises from the engine, excessive smoke and overheating can all be warning signs of a work timing belt or timing chain, so if you are experiencing any of these problems it is important to have them checked out.

Historically timing chains were considered to be longer-lasting and more reliable than timing belts, although this is not necessarily the case on more modern engines.

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1.4 16v, 1.6 16v, 2.0 16v 136PS, 2.0 16v 140PS, 2.0 16v 177PS petrol - belt. 1.6 16v VTi, 1.6 16v THP 140PS, 1.6 16v THP 150PS - chain

As with most things, main dealers will charge more than independent garages, but a timing belt change can cost as little as £350, all the way up to £1000 or more. In most instances we would also recommend having the water pump changed at the same time, as the required access is usually similar and it reduces labour costs.

However, like any component, a timing chain is susceptible to wear and stretching over time, albeit over a longer period than a typical timing belt. It is also still capable of being neglected by poor servicing - adequate lubrication is essential for it to function correctly, so neglecting oil changes can cause problems.

Conversely, timing chains generally do not have a scheduled replacement point, but a car of advanced mileage may well require it and it is a matter of the condition of the individual car as to when this work may be required, if at all. It also tends to be a more expensive process than changing a belt.

ChromeSteelcolor

Chromesteelvs stainlesssteel

Our guide will explain the difference between a cambelt and a timing chain and crucially show which cars have a cambelt and which are fitted with a timing chain.

Although stainless steels are more corrosion resistant than other steels, they are subject to specific corrosion mechanisms, such as weld decay. Advice must be sought for particular applications.

Chromesteelvs alloysteel

If there is an issue with this timing at the very least you will experience poor engine running. Should the chain or belt deteriorate to the point where it fails, vital engine components can go completely out of sync and can even result in valves making contact with the top of the pistons.

Austenitic stainless steels (e.g. 302, 316) result from additions of nickel (usually between 10 to 20%) to low carbon steels containing 18 to 25% chrome. These steels exhibit superior corrosion resistance in a wide range of environments. The properties can only be modified by cold work. They are also significantly more expensive than the straight chromium grades. When mention is made of 'stainless steel', it is generally these non-magnetic steels that are being referred to. While the thermal expansion of these steels is similar to that of copper, their thermal conductivity is less than that of alumina at room temperature.

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1.0-litre 1.2-litre, 1.4-litre, 30 TFSI, 1.5-litre, 35 TFSI petrol - belt. 1.8-litre, 2.0-litre, 40 TFSI, e-tron, 2.5-litre - chain

Precipitation hardened stainless steels (e.g. 17-4 PH, PH 13-8 Mo) are chromium-nickel alloys containing precipitation hardening elements such as copper, aluminium or titanium. The alloys are of two general types; semi austenitic, requiring a dual heat treatment to achieve final strength properties and martensitic, requiring a single heat treatment to achieve final strength properties. The main advantage of these alloys is the low temperature heat treatment required to achieve final strength, which can be as high as 2 GPa, resulting in minimal scaling and distortion, thus enabling parts to be finished machined prior to final heat treatment.

Long term reliability is a key factor for many car buyers so knowing exactly what's under your cars bonnet when it comes to maintenance is crucial. And the most critical part is the cambelt or timing chain.

It should be noted that chromium has a tendency to migrate to grain boundaries at elevated temperatures where it forms chromium carbide. This is a serious problem in the heat affected zones of welds. This effect is known as 'weld decay' and causes failure due to corrosion along grain boundaries where there is a depletion of chromium. For welding, a carbon content <0.03% is specified to avoid significant carbide formation. Alternatively, the steel can be 'stabilised' with the addition of titanium or niobium which form carbides in preference to chromium.

Chromesteelvs carbonsteel

There is a further complication thanks to ‘wet belt’ arrangements, where rather than operating as a dry belt, some engines run the timing belt within the engine oil. The advantage of this arrangement is better efficiency and reduced emissions, but the downside is that they are more susceptible to poor maintenance than dry belts.

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This can have catastrophic consequences. A broken belt or chain can also get caught up in other rotating engine components, causing yet more damage. This is why the condition and maintenance of your timing belt or chain is crucial.

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Timing belts have improved in construction and durability over time, and historically a cambelt change was required as frequently as every 60,000 miles, today many cars have belts that the manufacturers state are good for more than 150,000 miles or ten years. Some manufactures even say that the belt is good for the life of the car, although the term ‘life’ in this context is arguably a little misleading.

1.0-litre, 1.4-litre EA211 petrol - belt. 1.2-litre, 1.4-litre EA111, 1.8-litre, 2.0-litre petrol - chain All diesel engines - belt

1.6 Ti-VCT, 1.6 EcoBoost, 2.0 EcoBoost 240PS, 2.5 turbo petrol - belt. 2.0-litre, 2.0 Flexifuel, 2.3-litre, 2.0 EcoBoost 203PS - chain

1.4-litre, 1.6-litre, 2.0 FSI, 2.0 TFSI (BWA/CAWB/BWJ/CDLD/CDLA/BWJ) petrol - belt. 1.2 TSI, 1.4 TSI, 1.8 TSI, 2.0 TFSI (CCZB) - chain

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