My daughters had 3 different small cars
2013 1.6 puegot 208
2014 1.6 DS 3
2014 1.3 cdti corsa
All similar miles below the replacement intervals (cords chain driven)
In the same 3 month period the chain “fell off” the corsa - no damage new chain and tensioners
The DS3 chain shed 3 teeth resulting in catastrophic engine failure
And the pug went straight into the garage for a belt replacement
Same engine in the pug and DS3
Are any cars built to last these days ?
As it states below belts are used to keep the noise down this is BS as the guy in the video says there are so many other noises made by all the other moving parts in the engine then add to that wind and tyre noise using a belt would make next to no difference its all about initial cost a chain being more expensive than a belt and of course a belt will need changing along with the water pump at service interval meaning more profit for the garage.
Why do cars have one and not the other?
Where a quiet, more efficient engine is required, a timing belt is often preferred. As they are made from rubber, they’re also cheaper to manufacture, which means that car manufacturers may choose to build them into the vehicle. A quieter engine is often more appealing to buyers, so the timing belt is installed to ensure a smoother sound.
The longer lifespan of a timing chain is why they are chosen over timing belts – they very rarely break, but any problems that do arise are easy to catch before they reach the point of no return. For example, a worn chain will start to rattle noisily, which gives you a heads up that something is wrong, whereas a timing belt can snap without warning.
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