Difference Between a Timing Belt & Timing Chain?

As a professional scrap car removal company that has been buying scrap cars throughout Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley since 2005, we see a LOT of scrap cars with snapped timing chains and failed timing belts. And probably one of the most asked questions we here from our customers is what’s the difference between a timing belt and timing chain?

Being left on the side of Highway 1 in the rain in rush hour is never fun. Especially when you were caught off guard by a sudden timing belt or timing chain failure. Had you known which signs and symptoms to look for, you could have prevented a roadside breakdown.

In today’s blog post we’ll explore the difference between a timing belt and timing chain, how to know which one your vehicle has, what the signs and symptoms are of a failing timing belt or timing chain, and what you can do about either.

What Does a Timing Belt Do?

The timing belt or timing chain has one primary function, and it’s an important one; it keeps the camshaft and crankshaft working together in unison. Because if these two engine components aren’t spinning together at the same time, your engine won’t function properly, and many other major mechanical issues can occur.

Essentially, just as their name suggest, the timing belt and timing chain are responsible for maintaining the timing between two vital engine components that make your vehicle run. Without a timing belt or timing chain, catastrophic damage can and will occur. And in most cases, your vehicle will not even start.

In Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, we see a lot of scrap cars due to failed timing belts. And we always pay MORE cash for scrap cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans with snapped timing chains or failed timing belts. Give our scrap car removal team a call if you think the timing belt is gone on your vehicle.

Timing Belt VS Timing Chain

One of the biggest, and most obvious differences between a timing belt and a timing chain is the fact that one is a chain, and one is a belt. And although they are comprised of different material, they ultimately do the same thing.

The timing belt tends to offer a quieter ride because the material itself allows it to operate in a quieter manner, due to it being more lightweight and made of rubber. And while you do need to replace the timing belt when it starts to wear down, it offers you a chance to do so before causing any major damage to your vehicle’s engine.

A timing chain on the other hand, is a tougher, stronger material, being made of metal. But when a timing chain fails, it always results in a big expensive repair bill. Many newer vehicles use a timing chain vs a timing belt because they feel the metal constructed component will have better longevity.

Unfortunately, though, most timing chains on newer vehicles fail prematurely and end up leaving the vehicle owners with a big bill. Which is why many people in the Lower Mainland turn to the scrap car removal services of More Cash For Scrap when this happens.

What Happens If Your Timing Belt Fails?

When a timing belt fails on a car, it usually isn’t sudden. If you’re having your vehicle routinely serviced for things like oil changes, filter changes, and even spark plugs and tune ups, your mechanic should let you know ahead of time that your timing belt is on its way out.

Because a timing belt is a rubber belt that gets a lot of wear and tear from frequent movement. So, naturally, it starts to break down. But aside from your mechanic telling you that it’s time to replace it, there will be other signs to watch out for leading up to the replacement.

Signs Your Timing Belt Is Failing Include:

• A noticeable humming or whining coming from your engine
• Rough idling
• Hard starts
• Loss of power or decreased performance in certain situations
• Engine starting to overheat
• A new or worsening ticking sound coming from the engine
• Increased exhaust smoke
• Unusual vibrations

If you’re noticing any of the above issues, you may want to have a professional location mechanic, like the good people at Fairview Automotive http://www.fairviewautomotive.com/ take a look at your timing belt to see if it’s on its way out.

How Do I Know If My Timing Belt Is Bad?

Typically, most automakers will advise you to replace your timing belt every 100,000-160,000 kms. However, every vehicle is different, and it also depends on the type of driving you do. If you’re hard on your car, or drive in very cold or hot climates, you may want to swap it out sooner.

Signs Your Timing Belt Is Bad Include:

• Your engine is misfiring
• Your vehicle won’t start
• Check engine light is on
• Reduced or no engine power (usually why it won’t start)
• Billowing smoke from tailpipes
• Engine severly overheating

In Metro Vancouver, many aging vehicles get scrapped due to a failed timing belt. However, it’s not because the belt was bad. It’s because it wasn’t replaced early enough and when it failed, it caused severe engine damage.

But we LOVE buying cars with dead engines and failed timing belts. So, if your timing belt caused major damage to your vehicle, give our scrap car removal team a quick call.

How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Timing Belt?

The replacement of a timing belt, when caught early enough, isn’t as bad as some might think. Typically, the average timing belt replacement in Canada costs between $500 – $1000. This is only for the timing belt replacement and any needed parts and labour to replace it.

However, if your engine has sustained damage due to a failed timing belt, the cost will be substantially higher because you will need to either repair or replace your engine. This is the main reason that we purchase scrap cars with failed timing belts in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

When you timing belt goes, it will more often than not, cause major engine damage. And when the engine belongs to an aging vehicle, or one with high mileage, most people simply scrap their car instead of fixing it. And when you choose the scrap car removal services of More Cash For Scrap, you’ll always get MORE cash for scrap cars with dead engines and failed timing belts!

How Do I Know If My Timing Chain Is Failing?

As mentioned earlier, the timing belt and timing chain are similar, but also different. They have the same primary function but are composed of different material. And unlike the timing belt, a timing chain is intended to not need replacing. However, what the desired result is and what was intended by automakers are two totally different things.

Because despite the fact that the timing chain is made of metal, it still has the potential to stretch, and many do. Because with any complex piece of machinery that runs of combustion, heat is a big factor in the structural integrity of various metal components. This includes the timing chain.

Signs Your Timing Chain Is Failing Include:

• Really rough idling
• Check engine light on
• Stretched timing chain
• Damage to sprockets, tensioner, links, or guides
• Chain jumping from the tensioner
• Metal shavings in your oil reservoir
• Rattling when idling

The majority of noticeable signs of a failing timing chain are usually only noticed by someone with a mechanical background, like a professional mechanic. But if you’re noticing that your vehicle is running rougher than usual, your oil is off-coloured or seems dirty, or your vehicle has lessened performance, get it checked out A.S.A.P.

What Happens If Your Timing Chain Fails?

Just like with a timing belt, when your timing chain snaps, you’ll know it. Because most times, you won’t be able to start your car. And if you do, it will be horribly loud, and you’ll know that something really bad has happened (like your timing chain snapping).

Typically, when you timing chain has failed, your engine valves will no longer move. That’s because the chain snapping and then spinning momentarily causes damage by hitting other parts of your engine, like the valves.

All in all, the most noticeable sign that your timing chain has failed is the fact that your vehicle won’t start, when there are no other indicators of other issues. If you haven’t been experiencing any other engine or transmission problems on your late model vehicle, and suddenly now it won’t start, talk to your mechanic as soon as possible.

How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Timing Chain?

As a professional scrap car buyer serving Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, this is a question that many people ask us when deciding whether or not to simply scrap their vehicle. Because when a vehicle ages, or has high mileage, the timing chain is one of the most common things to fail if not done early on through routine maintenance.

The average cost of replacing a timing chain in British Columbia is typically around $1600-$2000, and that’s only if other important structures and engine components were not damaged when it failed. If other things are damaged, you’re easily looking at upwards of $4000-$5000. Which is why so many people with late model vehicles that have had their timing chain fail sell their car to More Cash For Scrap.

We pay MORE cash for scrap cars with damaged engines, dead engines, and failed timing chains than any other scrap car removal company in Metro Vancouver or the Fraser Valley. Just give our team of junk car removal specialists a quick call and we can provide you with an instant cash offer right over the phone.

Can You Still Drive Your Car If Your Timing Belt Fails?

Typically, when your timing belt or timing chain fails, you cannot drive it anymore. And attempting to drive a vehicle with a failed timing belt will only cause further damage to your car. Because when you try to start or drive a car with a bad timing belt, often times you can bend the valves in your engine by doing so. As well as cause other damage and create other problems to vital engine components.

If your timing belt/chain fails on your vehicle, have it towed immediately to a professional mechanic, like our friends at Sullivan Motors. They can provide you with a proper diagnosis of what needs replacing, and whether or not it’s worth replacing.

Many of our Surrey customers choose to scrap their cars that have failed timing belts because the cost to replace them is simply too high on an aging vehicle (or one with very high mileage). Additionally, 90% of the time, other components are damaged when the timing belt goes. Only adding to an already inflated mechanic’s bill.

Cash for Scrap Cars with Failed Timing Belts & Chains

Selling a vehicle with a failed timing belt can be tricky. Because unless someone is simply looking for a parts car, you’ll never get a decent amount of money for it. And even then, because the vehicle is toast, private prospects generally want to buy your car for mere pennies.

Instead, sell your car to More Cash For Scrap. We LOVE buying vehicles with failed timing belts, snapped timing chains, and dead engines.

Furthermore, we pay the most cash for scrap cars with:

• Failed transmissions
• Collision damage
• Failed vehicle inspection
• Electrical problems
• Rust, mould, or mildew
• Corrosion and structural issues
• Brake or suspension problems
• Any reason at all!

We don’t judge when it comes to how scrappy your vehicle may be. In fact, the scrappier, the better. Because at More Cash For Scrap, we are all about paying MORE cash for scrap cars than those other guys!

How Much Cash for Scrap Cars Do We Pay?

Every vehicle that we buy in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley has a different value because they all have their own unique set of issues. Some are mechanically sound but have very high mileage and extensive corrosion. Others suffer from major collision damage, and others are old and have simply been sitting too long. That’s why we provide custom offers for every scrap car we buy.

Provide our scrap car removal team with the make, model, year, condition, mileage, and location of your vehicle. Then, let us know what mechanical issues it has, and any recent repairs you’ve already performed. Additionally, be sure to let us know if your vehicle is still running, because running vehicles are always worth MORE.

Once our scrap car removal team has all of this information, we’ll provide you with an instant cash offer over the phone or by text. If you accept the offer, we’ll arrange for our free towing service to come collect your car. Then, after our driver loads up your vehicle, he’ll pay you cash in hand. It’s that easy.

Call Us & Scrap Your Car for MORE Cash Today!

If you’re sick of staring at that junk car in your driveway, garage, or even on your lawn, give our scrap car removal team a quick call. We are always happy to answer any questions you might have about our scrap car removal process.

Our dedicated team of scrap car removal specialists work 7 days a week, from 7:00 AM-11:00 PM. We also operate on almost all statutory holidays. Additionally, we’ll pick up your vehicle from anywhere in the Lower Mainland. From Hope to Squamish, we’ve got you covered.

So, if you want to scrap an old, unwanted, or damaged vehicle for any reason in Metro Vancouver or the Fraser Valley, scrap it with More Cash For Scrap. We offer MORE customer service. MORE flexible junk car removal times. And pay MORE cash for scrap cars than the other guys!