Road blob

04.05.2020

(Votes: 4, Rating: 5)

Issues discussed in the material:

In what cases should the timing belt be changed?
How and which timing belt is better to choose: 4 main criteria
Which timing belt company is better to buy: review of manufacturers
How not to buy a fake timing belt: recommendations
Which timing belt is better according to driver reviews?

Which timing belt is better? This question becomes relevant when the driver needs to change it. But since the market for such products today is very diverse, choosing the right model turns out to be quite a task.

It is important to consider not only the name, but also the country of the manufacturer, as well as the quality and cost of the product. If you want to understand the ranking of the best brands, find out their pros and cons, and choose the optimal timing belt for your car, then read on.

In what cases should the timing belt be changed?

Replacing the timing belt in a car can be planned or emergency. In the first case, actions are carried out in accordance with technical requirements. When a fake or cheap version of the gas distribution mechanism is installed in a car, the second case may occur.

It happens that the mechanism is used, as they say, “for wear and tear.” In this case, the period of its operability quickly decreases. This can occur if other devices driven by the timing belt, or individual parts of the belt unit, are not working correctly.

Let's consider malfunctions that can provoke replacement of the gas distribution mechanism outside the plan:

The timing belt is not tensioned correctly . Basically, it is overtightened, which leads to rapid wear of the material; it delaminates and cracks. If the tension is weak, the teeth may break. To avoid such problems, it is necessary to check the tension value of the timing belt with some regularity. This does not apply to cars that have an automatic check system.
The rollers and the belt were not replaced. Most novice motorists save money and install only a new element of the gas distribution mechanism. In this situation, the device will probably stop working much earlier than it should.
In fact, the rollers may look good outwardly, but rotate within normal limits during testing. However, after a little time they will experience a “wedge” and the belt will break. Therefore, it is better not to install the timing belt without replacing the rollers. You know what result awaits you.
An exception to this rule is an emergency replacement of the device, which occurs in certain situations: oil or technical fluid gets on the timing belt, causing damage in the form of cracking or delamination. Simply put, if the installation of a new mechanism was carried out recently and only the drive is damaged, then only it can be replaced.
However, remember that now the service life of the belt and rollers is different. For example, if the kit was designed for 50,000 km, and an emergency occurred after 20,000 km, then you can subtract these kilometers from the estimated operating time of the rollers.
In other words, the kit needs to be changed not after 50 thousand km, as prescribed, but after 30 thousand km. In this way, it is possible to prevent the rollers from becoming wedged and, as a consequence, breaking the drive belt.
Fever . The timing chain may crack as a result of daily overheating of the engine. This means that you need to monitor the performance of the engine cooling system.
The timing cover is faulty . If such a problem occurs, then, most likely, the device and all nearby elements will be covered with substances harmful to the mechanism: dirt, water, oil, etc.

Approximately, the timing belt needs to be changed after 60 thousand km. You also need to take into account that the operating time of the device depends on various unfavorable factors.

Some car operation and repair manuals recommend changing the timing belt after 70–80 thousand km. Other manuals clearly indicate that replacement should be carried out after 50–60 thousand km. However, car enthusiasts have derived a practical mileage value after which a new kit needs to be installed. The average figure fluctuates within 50 thousand km, 60 thousand km is already the maximum permissible parameter.

How and which timing belt is better to choose: 4 main criteria

Finding the right belt is as easy as choosing any other part. You just need to pay attention to the signs that confirm the originality of the selected product. When choosing, we recommend relying on the main characteristics of the product so as not to wonder which timing belts are best to buy. So:

Numbers . Most people incorrectly believe that gas distribution mechanism drives are produced and labeled individually. In reality, they are cut from one piece of material onto which a differentiated digital code has been applied in advance. You can often see belts on sale that have the same numbers. This sign may indicate a fake, so you should refuse to purchase such a product.
Certificate of conformity, hologram . Manufacturers, in order to protect their products and prove their originality, began to stick special holograms on packages and attach a certificate to each one. Before purchasing, conduct a visual inspection of the box and its contents. If you do not find a document confirming the quality of the product, be sure to ask the seller. If you received a refusal, it means you should immediately refuse to purchase this copy.
Price. This indicator is secondary, but it will help determine whether it is a fake or not. Here you need to be an expert in the issue of the location of manufacturing companies on the hierarchical ladder. Some charge a high price for the product, while others belong to the budget line of products. It is also important to remember the rule: those products that can make a profit are counterfeited. Therefore, timing belts that have an average and high price index are at risk.
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Appearance . A fairly important indicator of the quality of the purchased product. Carefully inspect the drive for various, even the smallest, violations of the integrity of its surface and teeth (is everything in place). Pay attention to the appearance of the packaging: is the hologram in place, information about the manufacturer, are there any breaks or dents. Quite often, the unsightly appearance of the box is attributed to the transportation process, but in 80% of cases this reason is not true.

Which timing belt company is better to buy: review of manufacturers

Now we know the various subtleties and features of using/replacing the drive. Next, let's look at the nuances of choice so that you can understand which brand of timing belt is best to install.

The first type of products for cars is represented by European manufacturers with average prices and good recommendations. The drives are made of cord or cord fabric rubber, to which various additives are added to increase wear resistance and reduce noise.

1. Bosch - good combination of price and quality

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Advantages:

long operating period, usually 30% longer than stated;
rubber contains components that increase the service life of the product;
rubberized fabric covers the surface of the timing drive from the outside, which allows you to protect the internal surface from various lubricating fluids;
withstands loads that are 15% higher than those of similar products;
Can be applied to many models of Japanese, European and American cars.

Flaws:

price from 1,500 rubles;
Counterfeits cannot be ruled out.

3. AMD – supplies many kits

As a rule, when changing the drive, the rollers should also be replaced, because if they are worn out, the new rubber may very soon fail.

In this regard, it is better to buy a timing belt as a set, no matter what the cost. Here you should pay attention to the drive, which is produced by the Korean company AMD. This mechanism goes on sale fully equipped, that is, with rollers - you do not need to worry about the incompatibility of parts in terms of rotation speed and width.

Advantages:

the drive contains markings that will help to immediately identify a fake;
The kit includes timing rubber, a balancing belt and three tension rollers;
high-quality packaging box, which contains boxes for each item, which allows you to avoid various breakdowns during delivery;
all parts work perfectly (no extraneous noise, no play in the bearing in the tension roller);
Correct installation guarantees the stated period of operation.

Flaws:

the price of the set can be up to 5,800 rubles;
the package may contain a Dongil drive (manufactured by a domestic Korean company);
play is formed in the bearing of the idler roller.

4. Dayco

This company is a long-lived American company producing drives for internal combustion engines. Also focused on the production of dampers, water pumps, hoses. In Russia, Dayco is practically unknown to car owners, as a result, buyers look at the products of these Westerners with doubt.

Compared to its competitors, Dayco supplies primary (factory) and secondary markets at almost the same volume. There are a large number of counterfeit products from this company in Russia, so you can only read negative reviews about the products on the Internet. As a result, the American-made drive is inferior in popularity to German rubber from Contitech.

Let's look at all the timing mechanisms to determine which timing belt is best for you:

Series NN . The belts are made from a chloroprene mixture that contains sulfur. Such products have a fairly low cost. Can only be used in power units with low power. Large loads will simply disable all mechanisms.
HSN Series . This drive is made from a nitrile rubber mixture. Products can withstand heavy mechanical loads, including at high temperatures (up to +130 °C). The products are designed for powerful engines that run on gasoline and diesel fuel.
HT Series . The most technologically advanced version. The drive is treated with Teflon film, which protects the belt teeth from increased mechanical stress. This protection increases the service life of the belt and allows the devices to operate smoothly and smoothly. Dayco HT timing belts are also used on power units where the injection pressure is increased.

Advantages:

the cost of the product is approximately in the average price category;
patented technology for coating the belt profile with a Teflon composition to increase wear resistance and reduce operating noise;
Timing drive for cars available.

Flaws:

a large number of fakes on the Russian market.

5. INA

This company is the official supplier of drives for conveyors on which VW, Mercedes, Audi, Peugeot and other car brands are assembled. The Toyota concern was no exception, although it is one of the most demanding representatives of car manufacturing companies. INA factories are scattered across many countries, but quality control is exactly the same at all enterprises - with the help of multi-level monitoring, the appearance of defects is completely excluded.

There is no better and more reliable timing belt, no matter what brand your car is. The product is suitable for installation in Russian vehicles manufactured by AvtoVAZ (Priora, Granta, Kalina, etc.). The indisputable advantage of the product is its long service life, while the quality of the drive will not allow it to break if you replace it after a given period of time.

6. Optibelt

The German company Optibelt is the largest company in Europe and enjoys the trust of customers. The products of this company are of high quality and reliability. Such product characteristics are very important because the operating conditions of different cars are not at all similar.

The timing drive is based on chloroprene rubber, which has a protective layer of fabric, so with a certain production technology a durable and highly flexible structure is obtained. The teeth are made in such a way that they do not have the opportunity to move along the gear; in addition, a special coating reduces the coefficient of friction to a minimum. Russian drivers can install this product on AvtoVAZ cars (Priora, Lada Granta, etc.). Customer reviews are positive, they believe that they made the right choice, and this product will not let you down in any situation.

7.Flennor

The company with this name is part of the Walther Flender Groupe. The company's specialization is the development and production of drive mechanisms for various vehicles and special equipment. In this regard, the quality of the product is consistently at the highest level. They also have a large selection of timing belts, mainly for European cars.

At the same time, the products of this company are very often counterfeited, and the price of the products is quite high. For example, the cost of a timing belt complete with rollers for a Ford Focus 2 will be about $50 or 3,500 rubles.

8. Sun

A company from Japan that produces belts and other consumables for cars of Japanese manufacturers. For example, Toyota, Lexus, etc. The quality of the products produced is at a high level. However, they have nothing to offer European cars. Consequently, products with this brand are suitable only for those owners who ride Asian “horses”.

Rating of the best timing belts

Nomination	place	manufacturer	rating
Rating of the best timing belts	1	Contitech	4.9
2	Gates	4.8
3	Dayco	4.8
4	Bosch	4.7
5	Lemforder	4.7
6	INA	4.7
7	Optibelt	4.6
8	Hutchinson	4.5

Contitech

Rating: 4.9

The first place in the ranking goes to Contitech, a division of Continental that underwent abolition in 2020. In fact, it was a close analogue of the Dayco company, with the only difference that the development of belts was carried out on the material and resource base of one of the largest tire manufacturers. Naturally, there was continuity (both methods and technologies), in-depth research of features and the development of fundamentally new ways of producing a quality product.

However, the Contitech management staff had enough prudence to restrain the rate of saturation of new products with fresh developments, thereby preventing price increases and violating the delicate relationship between consumer costs and quality. Today it is unclear how the products of the disbanded brand will be promoted to the market. Most likely, rubber-metal products (including timing belts) will be released under the Continental logo... fortunately, the essence itself will remain unchanged.

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Advantages

the largest research laboratory and experience gained over decades of working with rubber-metal products;
partial withdrawal of technologies from the field of tire development;
optimal balance between price and quality of the finished product;
widespread in the market and consumer loyalty.

Flaws

not identified.

Gates

Rating: 4.8

One of the most famous manufacturers of timing belts, enjoying the reputation of a good company not only in the engineering industry. From the very moment of its founding, Gates was positioned as a company for assembly lines, and entered into exclusive agreements for the supply of parts to the largest automobile manufacturing lines.

The products of the Belgian grandee in question meet the highest quality and safety requirements, and also captivate users with a very long working life (about 150-200 thousand kilometers before complete destruction). The only problem: belts (neither timing nor V-belts) from Gates are almost impossible to find in retail: as mentioned above, more than 90% of the total volume of goods produced goes to conveyors, and only 10% is thrown onto the free market.

Advantages

having its own research center and constant work on modernizing belts;
the highest quality and safety parameters;
up to 200 thousand kilometers of possible mileage;
cooperation mainly with automakers.

Flaws

high cost of products.

Dayco

Rating: 4.8

An American company with Italian roots occupies third place in the rating, being, in fact, the most loyal supplier of timing belts for cars of various brands. Nevertheless, their product began to appear on domestic sites (online catalogs and retail points of sale) relatively recently, which is why Dayco’s popularity in Russia is not the highest.

It is noteworthy that of the entire leading triad, Dayco’s level of product shipment to the assembly line and the retail market is the most balanced, amounting to 50/50%! Among the features of their belts, one can note the unique technology of applying a Teflon protective coating, which reduces operating noise and protects the base material from wear. In addition, there is support from the manufacturer and the domestic automobile industry: all models, starting from Kalina and Priora, received another high-quality analogue of the timing belt, and for a small amount. In terms of budget and its relationship with quality, only Contitech can challenge Dayco - Belgian Gates costs much higher in terms of price.

Advantages

unique technology for processing belts by applying Teflon coating (to prevent wear and reduce noise);
production of a large number of high-quality analogues for domestic cars;
competent pricing policy;
high quality standards.

Flaws

a small number of fakes on the market, spoiling the reputation of a good manufacturer.

Bosch

Rating: 4.7

The old German company, originating from the village of Gerlingen, is a very well-known manufacturer of household/construction equipment and auto parts for any need. This is its strength, and this is also its main weakness, because ensuring quality in such a diverse activity is an extremely difficult task.

However, both experts and users urge not to worry about timing belts - this is one of the most stable niches in the Bosch product range. Despite the huge species diversity, the Germans manage to maintain surprisingly equal quality in all aspects, including performance characteristics and working life. Which, by the way, lasts on average for the same 100 thousand kilometers as the main competitors in the rating. The excellent sales picture is completed by the average price level, which is very profitable for ordinary consumers and from a cost perspective in the long term.

Advantages

average price level for the entire range of goods;
amazingly even quality of belts in all their variety;
exclusive cooperation agreement with BMW;
ability to withstand small overloads at rotational speeds.

Flaws

It is necessary to run in a new belt (to grind the teeth into the pulley).

Lemforder

Rating: 4.7

A representative of the well-known German concern ZF, belonging to the category of mid-price segment brands. It lost its position as a major manufacturer, becoming nothing more than a simple supplier of goods under a logo known to many. True, Lemforder still keeps its name untarnished: in a branded box, the market is supplied with either spare parts from friendly (part of ZF) enterprises BOGE and Sachs, or products from little-known Korean factories, which are also strong in terms of quality.

The stated fact is not a big secret for the entire world community, and, what is most surprising, does not prevent Lemforder from concluding multi-million dollar contracts for the supply of timing belts to the conveyors of many global automakers. Among their buyers are American Chevrolet (General Motors) and Ford, Korean Hyundai and KIA, Japanese Honda and Lexus, European Volkswagen and Russian VAZ. For the latter, by the way, the belts turn out to be very durable: consumers singly praise the Germans for their large supply of working resources.

Advantages

an abundance of belts for all price categories;
high quality of products sold under the auspices of Lemforder;
high popularity among car manufacturers;
As a rule, there is a large supply of working life for timing belts.

Flaws

the brand is gradually becoming a supplier of products from other manufacturers.

INA

Rating: 4.7

Another representative of Germany has won the reputation of the most careful manufacturer of timing belts. The INA company is the main supplier of rubber-metal products to the conveyors of Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot, Toyota, Audi, etc., famous for the introduction of strict operational control over the geometric parameters and characteristics of products. Moreover, compliance with this production system is the prerogative of not only the basic German workshop, but also other factories scattered around the globe.

In particular, one of the INA enterprises also operates in Russia, regularly supplying the market with timing belts for VAZ cars. Consumers respond well to the experience of using them, noting among the main advantages excellent quality standards, durability and the virtual absence of low-grade counterfeits. The experts' verdict also did not differ much from popular opinion, although they noted that the company had slightly overestimated its prices relative to its main competitors.

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Advantages

good quality of belts, ensured by the implementation of operational control from the stage of supply of raw materials to the stage of cutting and packaging;
cooperation with a number of major automobile brands;
stable performance characteristics;
long interval between replacements (more than 100 thousand kilometers).

Flaws

high price for products.

Optibelt

Rating: 4.6

A very original and honorable manufacturer of timing belts from Germany, invariably following the once chosen path of development. It lies, by the way, not only in the interesting presentation of the goods (as a rule, manufactured products are delivered in very original and recognizable boxes), but also in manufacturing technologies. Thus, a characteristic feature of Optibelt timing belts is their very low tendency to wear, eliminating the possibility of any movement of the belt along the gear over a long period of time. The selected material is partly responsible for ensuring this result - chloroprene rubber, treated with a special anti-friction composition.

According to the classics of the genre, the main consumers of Optibelt belts are German automakers (Mercedes-Benz, Vlokswagen), however, a large flow of the company’s products is also released into the retail market. Domestic owners of VAZ cars were also able to touch the quality - from the now out-of-production Granta to the updated Vesta. Be that as it may, the German company enjoys great trust in experienced circles, so the question of including it in the rating was not even considered.

Advantages

commitment to one class of manufacturing technology;
very high quality and durable belt base with a unique anti-friction impregnation;
original presentation of products;
concern for reliability and active opposition to falsification;
high ratings from users and experts.

Flaws

not found.

Hutchinson

Rating: 4.5

A French giant in the production of rubber-metal products, striving to achieve high working life indicators from the entire range of manufactured products. It is the main partner of a number of automakers (including Toyota, Huyndai, Ford, Citroen, etc.), which is indirect proof of quality and popularity.

Experts note the systematic introduction of new technologies at Hutchinson (at least in the timing belt production process), which improve accuracy and modernize performance characteristics. Some users claim that a belt purchased and installed instead of a standard one can travel up to 100 thousand kilometers, and this is not the maximum possible limit. No matter how great the feeling of sympathy for the French company, but recently cases of mass falsification of their goods have become more frequent. Company engineers and promoters are trying to come up with workarounds to combat this, but neither the notorious holographic tags nor the accompanying certificates stop imitators from copying a quality product. All this has a negative impact on the company’s image, but we hope that the situation will eventually find a positive outcome.

Advantages

high technical and operational performance of original belts;
cooperation of the company with the world's leading automakers;
the working resource is often enough for 100 thousand kilometers;
The optimum ratio of price and quality.

Flaws

a large number of counterfeits on the market (even though they show good mileage results).

Attention! This rating is subjective in nature, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

How to avoid buying a fake timing belt: recommendations

Today there are a large number of fakes on the auto parts market. Naturally, the timing drive did not stand aside. Products from not only brands of expensive manufacturers are counterfeited, but also brands that are in the middle price category. To reduce the likelihood of purchasing a fake to zero, we advise you to follow simple rules when choosing the right product:

Visit stores you trust . It doesn't matter which timing belt you choose. It is better to take from official representatives of companies producing specific products.
Inspect the packaging box carefully . Companies that value their reputation invest heavily in printing. If you have the original box in front of you, the images on it will be clear and not blurry. You will not find any grammatical errors in the text part. Perhaps there will be a hologram, although not all companies use it.
Carefully inspect the drive and all parts included in the repair kit . The outer side of the belt necessarily contains data that will tell about the characteristics and purpose of the product. For example, brand, size, etc. In addition, the rubber must be free of cracks, damage, various inclusions and other inconsistencies.

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Some companies can check their product using an online check. QR codes, drawings and other information are applied to the surface of the box, which helps to identify counterfeit products. Using a smartphone and the Internet, product data can be easily checked. You can also send an SMS indicating the code written on the box.

It is important to remember that the counterfeit will work for a very short period of time, while the operation of the gas distribution mechanism and other devices of the power unit will not be performed well enough. Therefore, if you want your drive and the mechanisms that depend on it to work for a long time, then purchase only original products.

How not to buy a fake

Currently, the auto parts market is literally overflowing with counterfeit products. Timing belts are no exception. Moreover, not only products belonging to expensive brands are counterfeited, but also mid-priced 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 purchasing a counterfeit.

Make purchases in trusted stores. Regardless of what timing belt you are going to buy, cheap or expensive. It is best to contact an official representative of the manufacturer of the specific timing belt.
Study the packaging carefully. Self-respecting companies 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 contain no grammatical errors. It is desirable that the packaging also have a hologram (although not all manufacturers apply it).
Carefully examine the belt and other elements from the repair kit. Directly on the outside of the belt there is always information about its purpose and characteristics. In particular, the brand, sizes, etc. are indicated. In addition, there should be no delamination, inclusions of foreign particles or other damage on the rubber.

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

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Remember that a fake belt will not only not work for the time (mileage) allotted to it, but will also not properly ensure the operation of the gas distribution mechanism and other engine elements, the movement of which it ensures. Therefore, buying an original is the key to long-term operation of both the belt and the engine.

Myths and truth about fake belts

There is a common myth among inexperienced car enthusiasts that if there is a seam on the timing belt, then the product is defective. Actually this is not true. Almost all belts have this seam, since their manufacturing technology implies its presence. At the factory, belts are produced by cutting a wide roll with the appropriate geometric parameters, the ends of which are sewn together with strong threads. Therefore, you do not need to pay attention to the presence of a seam. 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. Actually this is not true! Teflon itself is colorless, therefore, when it is added during the manufacturing process of the belt, it will not in any way affect the color of the final product. Whether the belt is Teflon or not must be clarified separately, in the technical documentation for it or directly from the sales consultant.

A similar myth is that a Teflon belt always has the Teflon® inscription on its surface. This is also untrue. Information on the composition of the timing belt components must be clarified additionally. For example, many belts that are actually made with Teflon do not outwardly indicate this.

Conclusion

Choosing one or another timing belt is always a compromise of several decisions. It is advisable to install the same belt on the car engine 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 price-quality ratio, the range presented, as well as simply availability in stores. You should not buy frankly cheap belts, since they are unlikely to last their intended life. It is better to buy original products or their high-quality analogues from the middle or higher price range.

The timing belt is a very important element, the integrity of which determines the operation of the valve group and nearby engine parts. If the belt breaks without subsequent and as soon as possible replacement, the connecting rods and pistons will certainly fail, and their repair costs a lot of money. Replacing the belt won't cost that much. Despite its apparent simplicity, there is something to be said about this element of the gas distribution system. Let’s figure out what types of timing belts there are, how to choose them, and which companies’ products you should pay attention to.