Where is timing chain

Time Traveler for timing chain The first known use of timing chain was in See more words from the same year. Statistics for timing chain Look-up Popularity. Style: MLA. Get Word of the Day daily email! Test Your Vocabulary. Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Love words? Need even more definitions? Just between us: it's complicated. The very nature of a chain unit means that failure often means total calamity. If the chain breaks, the part will no longer do its job and, unfortunately, the car will no longer be able to run. The chain can show signs of wear and damage before it gives way completely. Look out for the following warning signs that your timing chain is about to reach the end of its life:.

Mechanically, there is no difference between a timing chain and a timing belt. Both perform the same action and are attached to the same parts of your vehicle. The difference is in the material and location within the automobile. A timing belt is made of reinforced rubber and is housed outside the engine casing. A timing chain is made of metal links and housed within the engine unit. You cannot replace a timing belt with a timing chain, or vice-versa.

The type of timing element used in a car is decided upon during the manufacturing processes and becomes a core part of design. They are not interchangeable. The valves must open and close at precisely the right time. The intake and exhaust valves are activated by the camshaft, which has lobes that push them down to open and then let off so they spring back to close. Depending on the engine, there will be one, two, or four camshafts.

There are sprockets at the end of the crankshaft and camshaft, and the timing chain or belt is attached to them. On most engines, it also operates the water pump, which circulates coolant through the engine and radiator. A timing chain is exactly as it sounds — it looks a lot like a bicycle chain — while timing belts are usually made of reinforced rubber compound. Chains, which used to be the only choice, are stronger and more durable. But many older vehicles still have them, and may now be near their recommended replacement, which is usually around , to , kilometres.

The rubber belt you see under the hood is the serpentine belt, which runs such components as the alternator and air conditioning compressor. But if the timing belt breaks, piston and valve can meet, resulting in expensive damage that, in the worst-case scenario, may require a new engine.

Not only does the front engine cover have to come off, but the technician has to get to it first. Any other components in the way will also have to be removed, and on some, the engine itself might have to be moved.

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