Which timing belt is better

Which timing belt is better? This question is asked by many drivers when it comes time to replace it. The timing belt is changed mainly according to the regulations. Usually the frequency is 60 ... 90 thousand kilometers (the values ​​\u120b\uXNUMXbof maintenance work depend on the specific model of the car, sometimes it goes XNUMX km., Such information is in the technical documentation for the car).

The range of different timing belts is quite wide. Depending on the brand, it differs both in price and quality. Therefore, the answer to the question of which timing belt to choose will always be a compromise of several solutions. namely, quality, cost, availability of the product for sale, reviews about it on the Internet. At the end of this material, a rating of timing belts is presented, compiled on reviews found on the network, as well as their real tests. The task of the rating is to make it easier for ordinary car owners to choose a belt.

When to change the belt

On any car, timing belt replacement can be planned and emergency. Scheduled replacement is carried out according to the regulations in accordance with the technical requirements. However, if a cheap, bad, non-original or fake was bought, then an emergency need may arise.

it is also possible that the belt runs “for wear”, which significantly reduces its resource. This may be caused by incorrect operation of other elements that drive the belt or parts of the gas distribution mechanism. As a result, the timing belt eats.

So, the following breakdowns can lead to an unscheduled replacement of the timing belt:

• incorrect belt tension. Usually this is its constriction, leading to serious wear of its material, cracking, delamination. Too little tension can cause the teeth to break. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically check the timing belt tension value (this does not apply to machines equipped with an automatic system for checking the corresponding value).
• Replacing the belt without replacing the rollers. Often, inexperienced car owners, trying to save money, do not install new rollers along with a new belt. Under such conditions, the belt is likely to fail before its time.
• High temperatures. Due to the constant overheating of the internal combustion engine, the belt material may crack. Accordingly, it is necessary to control the operation of the engine cooling system.
• Timing cover damage. Depressurization will certainly lead to the fact that dirt, oil, water and other harmful substances will also get on the drive and related elements.

Main producers

Despite all the diversity of auto manufacturers, there are 3 most common brands of timing belts that supply their parts to the conveyor - Gates, ContiTech and Dayco. Therefore, when choosing a strap for the operation of the gas distribution mechanism, they most often buy products from these 3 top companies. Especially if the car is Russian or European.

On Japanese cars, you can find belts of the UNITTA and SUN trademarks for sale. However, these companies are actually divisions of the larger Gates company. Accordingly, for the "Japanese" you can completely buy a Gates timing belt. MITSUBOSHI belts are produced for Japanese MITSUBISHI vehicles as original. Therefore, for machines of this manufacturer, ideally, timing belts of the mentioned brand should be installed.

For Korean cars, timing belts of the Dongil and Gates brands are most often installed in the original. Their quality is about the same. Although it is Gates belts that most often enter the domestic car market. Currently, despite the fact that the belts were produced by a third-party manufacturer, the name of the car is also applied to their surface. For example, among other information on the belt, you can see an inscription like Renault Gates or similar.

Often, not just one belt is bought for replacement, but a repair kit, which includes rollers. Often in such kits you can find individual parts from different manufacturers. For example, the Gates belt, Ina rollers, and so on. This applies to such respected manufacturers as the mentioned company Ina, as well as NTN, ContiTech, SKF and others. In such cases, kit manufacturers always put in the package those belts (by characteristics and brand) that are recommended by the vehicle manufacturer (ICE).

What are the selection criteria

In order to answer the question of which timing belt is better to choose, you need to decide on the technical parameters by which you need to select this spare part. From general considerations, we can say that the most successful solution would be to install exactly the same timing belt that went in the original car from the factory. This applies to both its size (and other technical characteristics), and the brand under which it was released. However, it is not always possible to find out this information, because, for example, a previous car enthusiast installed a non-original spare part, and additional information must be searched.

When choosing one or another timing belt, you need to pay attention to the following reasons:

• Technical specifications. This applies to the length of the belt, its width, the number and size of the teeth. These parameters depend on the specific ICE.
• Value for money. It is hardly worth buying a frankly cheap belt. Most likely, it is either a fake, or simply a low-quality product released under a dubious brand name. Therefore, monitor the price range and choose something in between.
• Manufacturer. It is advisable to choose belts produced under well-known trademarks. More often it will be one of the three above. However, there are also several manufacturers whose products are in the low price range, but their quality is quite good. Information about them is given below.

timing belt rating

In order to broadly answer the question of which is the best timing belt to take, we list the most common manufacturers of these spare parts in terms of popularity and quality. This list is divided into two parts. The first one contains more expensive and high-quality brands, and the second one contains their budget counterparts. It is worth mentioning right away that the rating of belts of various brands is not of a commercial nature, and is not promoted by any brand. It is compiled solely on the reviews found on the network and operating experience. More expensive first.

Gates

Gates timing belts are installed on a wide variety of vehicles. The base office is located in the USA, but its production facilities are located in many countries of the world. namely, the belts supplied to the territory of the post-Soviet countries are manufactured in Belgium. The quality of original products is always on top, and they are guaranteed to last the specified period. Of the shortcomings, only a large number of fakes in the domestic market can be noted. Therefore, when buying, you need to pay due attention to this issue.

Gates manufactures timing belts from nitrile rubber as well as from chloroprene. The first material is more technologically advanced and is intended for use in a wider temperature range and under high mechanical loads. namely, at a temperature of +170°C compared to +120°C for chloroprene belts. In addition, the chloroprene belt lasts up to 100 thousand kilometers, and the nitrile one - as much as 300 thousand!

Gates timing belt cords are traditionally made from fiberglass. This is due to the fact that this material is quite durable and lightweight. It perfectly resists stretching and tearing. Belt teeth can be one of three types of shapes - rounded, trapezoidal, complex. The most common belts with rounded teeth. They slip the least in the internal combustion engine, and also work quieter.

usually, not just Gates timing belts are on sale, but complete repair kits. They are of three types:

• The simplest, having in its kit only a belt, guides and a tension roller (rollers).
• Medium configuration, which, in addition to the equipment listed above, additionally includes a coolant pump.
• The most complete, which includes a water pump and a thermostat. Such kits are designed for ICE, in which the thermostat is installed immediately behind the gas distribution mechanism drive.

Dayco

American company that produces premium belts. However, for a car enthusiast, especially a domestic one, the problem in choosing is that 60 ... 70% of the products on store shelves are fake. Another disadvantage is the high price of the product. For example, a timing belt kit with rollers for the internal combustion engine of a popular domestic VAZ-2110-12 car costs about $34, which in terms of rubles as of the summer of 2020 is about 2500 rubles.

There are three lines of Daiko timing belts:

• Series N.N. Belts are made from a chloroprene mixture, which contains sulfur. These belts are the simplest and cheapest, and are suitable for use only in low-power ICEs. They are not able to work in conditions of significant loads.
• HSN series. These belts are made from a nitrile rubber compound. They can be used in powerful gasoline and diesel internal combustion engines. Belts are designed to withstand significant mechanical loads, including at high temperatures - up to +130 degrees Celsius.
• HT series. The most technologically advanced option. The belts are covered with a Teflon film, which protects the belt teeth from high mechanical loads, including damage to the gear teeth. And this not only increases the life of the belt, but also ensures its smooth operation throughout its entire duration. Dayco HT timing belts can also be used on ICE engines with increased injection pressure.

If the car owner manages to buy a timing belt from Dayco, then you can be sure that he leaves the guaranteed 60 thousand kilometers, provided that it is correctly installed. In general, Dayco products are supplied both to the primary markets (as original products) and the Aftermarket (secondary market). Therefore, original products are definitely recommended for purchase.

Contitech

This company is a German offshoot of the world famous company Continental. It produces timing belts and other products, mainly for European cars (namely, for German ones). Good quality original products. A very large assortment, you can pick up a belt for almost any European car.

However, it has disadvantages similar to other manufacturers, namely, a large number of fake products on the shelves of car dealerships. Another drawback is the relatively high price. For example, a set of belt and rollers for the popular Volkswagen Polo is about $44 or about 3200 rubles as of 2020.

The rubber compound from which the Kontitech timing belts are made consists of:

• 60% - synthetic rubber;
• 30% - carbon black with the addition of Kevlar or aramid fibers, which gives the material high mechanical strength;
• 10% - various additives, the task of which is to provide control over the vulcanization process during the manufacture of timing belts.

Belt cords are traditionally made from fiberglass. As for the teeth of the belt, they are covered with polyamide fabric, and some models with Teflon film, which increases the service life of these timing belts.

Flares

The company of the same name is part of the German Walther Flender Groupe. The advantage of this company is the fact that it specializes in the development and production of belt drives for various cars and special equipment. Accordingly, the quality of the original products here is always excellent. Another advantage is a wide range of belts, especially for European cars.

Among the shortcomings, one can single out a large number of fake products, as well as the considerable price of Flennor belts. For example, a timing belt with rollers for the popular Ford Focus 2 car costs about $48 or 3500 rubles.

Sun

A Japanese manufacturer that produces timing belts and other products for Japanese cars (namely, Toyota, Lexus and others). It does not produce belts for European cars. As for the quality, it is at its best, respectively, products manufactured under this brand are definitely recommended for use by owners of Asian cars.

Ina

The Ina company does not produce timing belts as a separate product. It produces repair kits, which may include both components released under its trademark and other partners. However, Ina products are of high quality and widespread, they are installed as original on many cars around the world. Reviews of auto mechanics also speak of the very good quality of these spare parts.

Now consider timing belts from a cheaper segment.

Lemforder

This trademark is part of the subsidiaries of ZF Corporation. In addition to it, the corporation also includes Sachs, Boge, ZF Parts. However, Lemforder timing belts are the most popular among other brands. Lemforder timing belts have many advantages, including a low price, a wide range of products, and a small number of fakes. However, they have been on sale lately. Belts are produced for most European cars, as well as for Koreans, Japanese, budget Chevrolets and others. Therefore, if Lemforder timing belts are XNUMX% original, then they are definitely recommended for purchase.

BOSCH batteries and motors

This company needs no introduction, the range of products manufactured by it is truly impressive. As for Bosch timing belts, they are produced in different countries of the world, including in the Russian Federation. Here, in fact, they are implemented. Many car owners note that products made in Germany or other EU countries are much better than those made in the CIS, in India, and China.

Accordingly, it is advisable to buy European-made Bosch timing belts. True, in this case, you will have to pay a much higher price (usually several times). Therefore, the expediency of the purchase remains in question. But still, for budget cars, such belts can be a completely acceptable solution.

Quinton Hazel

This company is originally from the UK, and is a packer of spare parts. Accordingly, the disadvantage of this brand is that when buying Quinton Hazell timing belts, the car enthusiast “plays the lottery”. That is, it is not known which brand belt will be in the package. However, judging by the reviews of motorists found on the Internet, in most cases the quality of the belts is still quite good. And given their low price, they can be recommended for owners of inexpensive budget cars, moreover, in which the valves do not bend when the timing belt breaks. The starting price of belts starts at about $10.

so, let any auto-lover himself answer the question - which company is better to buy a timing belt. It depends on the range of products, the ratio of price and quality, as well as on the brand and type of internal combustion engine of a particular car. If you had a positive or negative experience with this or that timing belt, write about it in the comments.

How not to buy a fake

Currently, the auto parts market is literally flooded with counterfeit products. Timing belts are no exception. Moreover, not only products related to expensive brands are faked, but also mid-price spare parts. Therefore, when choosing a particular timing belt, you need to pay attention to its quality and follow a few simple rules that will help minimize the likelihood of buying counterfeit goods.

1. Make purchases in trusted stores. Regardless of which timing belt you are going to buy, cheap or expensive. It is best to contact the official representative of the manufacturer of specific timing belts.
2. Study the packaging carefully. Self-respecting firms always spend a lot of money on high-quality printing. The printing on the boxes should be clear, and the images should not “float”. In addition, the product description must be free of grammatical errors. It is desirable that there is also a hologram on the packaging (although not all manufacturers apply it).
3. Carefully examine the belt and other items from the repair kit. it is on the outside of the belt that information about its purpose and characteristics is always located. namely, the trade mark, the sizes and other are underlined. In addition, the rubber should not have delaminations, inclusions of foreign particles and other damage.
4. Information on the packaging about the parameters of the belt must always correspond to the markings on the belt itself.

Some manufacturers are implementing online verification of the originality of the packaging. To do this, codes, drawings, QR codes or other information are applied to its surface, with which you can uniquely identify a fake. This is usually done using a smartphone with internet access. Another option is to send an SMS with a code from the package.

Remember that a fake belt will not only not work for the time (mileage) set for it, but will also not properly ensure the operation of the gas distribution mechanism and other internal combustion engine elements, the movement of which it provides. Therefore, the purchase of the original is a guarantee of long-term operation of both the belt and the internal combustion engine.

Myths and truth about fake belts

Among inexperienced motorists, there is a myth that if there is a seam on the timing belt, then this product is defective. In reality, this is not so. Almost all belts have this seam, since the technology of their manufacture implies its presence. At the factory, belts are obtained by cutting a wide roll with appropriate geometric parameters, the ends of which are sewn with strong threads. Therefore, the presence of a seam does not need to be paid attention. Another thing is to evaluate its quality or the numbers indicating the number of such a band.

The next myth is that Teflon coated timing belts are white. In reality, this is not so! Teflon itself is colorless, therefore, when added during the manufacturing process of the belt, it will not affect the color of the final product in any way. Whether a Teflon belt or not needs to be clarified separately, in the technical documentation for it or with a sales consultant.

A similar myth is that Teflon® belts always have Teflon® printed on their surface. This is also not true. Information on the composition of the timing belt components needs to be clarified additionally. For example, many belts that are actually made with Teflon do not outwardly indicate this.

Hack and predictor Aviator

The choice of this or that timing belt is always a compromise of several decisions. It is advisable to install the same belt on the internal combustion engine of a car that was originally provided by the manufacturer as the original one. This applies to both its technical characteristics and the manufacturer. As for specific brands, their choice largely depends on the ratio of price and quality, the range presented, as well as simply availability in stores. You should not buy frankly cheap belts, as they are unlikely to work for their due date. It is better to buy original products or their quality counterparts from the middle or higher price range.

As of the summer of 2020, compared to the beginning of 2019, the prices for timing belts increased by an average of 150-200 rubles. The most popular and high quality, according to real customer reviews, are Contitech and Dayco.

In addition to the brands presented in the article, you should also pay attention to the belts from the Russian manufacturer BRT. They are relatively popular among owners of domestic cars, while having a high percentage of positive reviews. Of the negative aspects of these belts, a large number of fakes can be noted.