Ive fixed a few before, and its only ever been a case of a few new valves and a couple of push rods

Quote from: Eddtiming chains are the best

Yes and they are starting to use them again CAM belts are just a way to make production cheaper but a danger to the engine if they brake.

Quote from: maximusotterNewer diesel Golfs have a cam belt change interval of 60K.

Like most manufacturers, theyll soon change that after a couple snap

I like my chain

On OHV engines a chain isnt always as good as a belt - not as accurate or as efficient - because theyre so long and subject to eventual lash and stretch.

Noisier to boot.

ive had a couple of chains stretch on my over the years. A series are notorious for this

bloody pain changing them too, unlike a belt.

sdp, I believe you are ok and have a non interference engine in the ol MX

I was told my MX-3 had a non interference engine but I didnt want to take a risk on a V6 - near double the cost, to fix it!

not worth risking a timing belt snapping and taking every piston and valve with it ever.

but whats better than belt?
Gear driven timing for the win ??
me little 250 has no chain or belt, but a series of cogs / gears up the inside of the engine instead


know what people mean about noisy timing chains though,
timing chain in the 600 but it suffers from crappy chain tensioners which ill need to get swapped, you can hear it rattle at certain revs, most un-nerving.

and im aware how much chains strech (main drive comes from a chain on the bikes ive had and they need regular adjustment, cam chain uses spring loaded tensioner to keep it tight)

but its gotta be better than a belt aint it?
(bloody american bikes with their sqeeky belt drives   )
least with a chain, you can hear it rattling in a different pitch / iregular when its on the way out, belts give no warning afaik.