HELP!i have 5000 to put in a vehicle and i need to know which ones from say 97 to 2005 have timing chains . right now i do not see having the the money for a belt change. i tried the search section but had no luck. guess did not no what i was doing. any way thanks for any help.
timing chain help
- Thread starter wmor51
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Huh - are you wanting to buy a vehicle for 5k and not wanting to change a timing belt? I'm confused.
We have a '99 Altima, which according to the dealer has a chain. Had it since '01, now up to 157k...been very solid for us.
Nice to not have that belt change expense hanging over your head, for sure, especially if you buy without knowing how recently it was last changed.
2004 Odyssey Syntec 5w-20/M1 filter
1999 Altima Supertech synth 5w-30/Fram toughgard 6x
1991 Accord Supertech Hi-mileage 5w-30
Nice to not have that belt change expense hanging over your head, for sure, especially if you buy without knowing how recently it was last changed.
2004 Odyssey Syntec 5w-20/M1 filter
1999 Altima Supertech synth 5w-30/Fram toughgard 6x
1991 Accord Supertech Hi-mileage 5w-30
I like the 97-02 Mustangs with a v6 they are rear wheel drive so no cv joints to replace, fairly inexpensive to buy, plenty of them for sale, fairly decent fuel mileage and no belt to change, plus they are easy to work on because the engine is not sideways and also parts should be fairly inexpensive since they are not foreign cars.( I was replying to the original post but I think I messed up and replied to the last one.)
Arkansas Dave
Arkansas Dave
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All Saturn S-series, all years, all models, both SOHC and DOHC are timing chain.
most newer Nissans use a chain.
Chains are nice that they don't ruin your day cause they usually don't break. Occasionally stretch but no breaking. most problems you have is that the nylon tensioner wears out and you have a rattling slapping chain loose in there. Nothing serious but timing could be slightly effected.
I know for a fact any Jeep with the 4.0L has a timing chain.
When looking at a car, look at the engine where the belts are. usually if it has a timing belt, it will have a black or grey plastic cover, indicating the location of the belt. if not, and you see a shallow metal cover, it is a chain. belts almost always have plastic covers for them, so when going out to look for a car, keep an eye out for the plastic.
Chains are nice that they don't ruin your day cause they usually don't break. Occasionally stretch but no breaking. most problems you have is that the nylon tensioner wears out and you have a rattling slapping chain loose in there. Nothing serious but timing could be slightly effected.
I know for a fact any Jeep with the 4.0L has a timing chain.
When looking at a car, look at the engine where the belts are. usually if it has a timing belt, it will have a black or grey plastic cover, indicating the location of the belt. if not, and you see a shallow metal cover, it is a chain. belts almost always have plastic covers for them, so when going out to look for a car, keep an eye out for the plastic.
Crown Vic
Older rear drive Caprice
something with the GM 3800
Chevy Blazer 4 door
Ford Explorer
Older rear drive Caprice
something with the GM 3800
Chevy Blazer 4 door
Ford Explorer
Originally Posted By: wmor51
thank you betabear. that sounds logical.
No problem
I can tell you that most honda's have timing belts, as do the ford escorts and mazda miata's.
If you need help distinguishing the covers, I can try and get some pictures pointing out what to look for.
thank you betabear. that sounds logical.
No problem
If you need help distinguishing the covers, I can try and get some pictures pointing out what to look for.
It is still possible to get a timing belt car that is not an interference engine and drive it til it quits then replace the belt.
I think alot of small 4 cylinders will go way beyond the manufacturer interval.
But a belt on an interference is a good thing to avoid if you want to keep it awhile.
I think alot of small 4 cylinders will go way beyond the manufacturer interval.
But a belt on an interference is a good thing to avoid if you want to keep it awhile.
JHZR2
Staff member
If you only have $5k and dont have the money to change a belt, what makes you think youll have the money to do routine maintenance, safety, tires, etc?
Remember, driving is a privilege, not a right. If youre not able to keep things safe and protect others from negligence on your part, than you really shouldnt be operating an automobile.
Now Im sure your intentions are good, but you really need to consider the practicality of owning a motor vehicle if you cannot afford to maintain it properly. Looking for a TC is good due diligence, but what happens when this $5k car needs tires, suspension work, etc????
Remember, driving is a privilege, not a right. If youre not able to keep things safe and protect others from negligence on your part, than you really shouldnt be operating an automobile.
Now Im sure your intentions are good, but you really need to consider the practicality of owning a motor vehicle if you cannot afford to maintain it properly. Looking for a TC is good due diligence, but what happens when this $5k car needs tires, suspension work, etc????
maybe this will help you
http://www.gates.com/downloads/download_common.cfm?file=428-1466_web1.pdf&folder=brochure
http://www.gates.com/downloads/download_common.cfm?file=428-1466_web1.pdf&folder=brochure
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
If you only have $5k and dont have the money to change a belt, what makes you think youll have the money to do routine maintenance, safety, tires, etc?
Remember, driving is a privilege, not a right. If youre not able to keep things safe and protect others from negligence on your part, than you really shouldnt be operating an automobile.
Now Im sure your intentions are good, but you really need to consider the practicality of owning a motor vehicle if you cannot afford to maintain it properly. Looking for a TC is good due diligence, but what happens when this $5k car needs tires, suspension work, etc????
you can do better than that, tell me how sorry i am and that my family sucks !
If you only have $5k and dont have the money to change a belt, what makes you think youll have the money to do routine maintenance, safety, tires, etc?
Remember, driving is a privilege, not a right. If youre not able to keep things safe and protect others from negligence on your part, than you really shouldnt be operating an automobile.
Now Im sure your intentions are good, but you really need to consider the practicality of owning a motor vehicle if you cannot afford to maintain it properly. Looking for a TC is good due diligence, but what happens when this $5k car needs tires, suspension work, etc????
you can do better than that, tell me how sorry i am and that my family sucks !
Woah now, no need for arguments
All wmor51 was wondering was which cars had timing chains, so he could avoid them. Chains tend to be more reliable than belts over long periods of time.
And there's nothing wrong with NEEDING a car, only have a set amount to spend, and want to get a vehicle with a very important part that if fails can nearly destroy an engine.
My father needed a vehicle, and he had only a little money to spend on one, UNTIL he could afford a newer one. All he needed was a car to get him to work everyday without eating gas for breakfast. I found him a little M/T civic for 2700 dollars, and he drove it for about a year, and then got a new car. The civic was handed down to my little brother.
There could be many reasons why said poster only has 5000 to spend, but I think he is wise for looking for something that can last him a little while until he can either get something new, or afford to maintain this one.
Anyways, back to topic
As far as non-interference engines go with timing belts (If you don't know wmor51, non-interference engines have enough clearance between the valves and the cyl heads that if the timing belt breaks, your valves don't hit the piston and ruin your whole day) I know for a fact that the SOHC 2.0L engine that they used in the 1997-2002 Ford Escort has a timing belt, but is a non-interference engine.
And there's nothing wrong with NEEDING a car, only have a set amount to spend, and want to get a vehicle with a very important part that if fails can nearly destroy an engine.
My father needed a vehicle, and he had only a little money to spend on one, UNTIL he could afford a newer one. All he needed was a car to get him to work everyday without eating gas for breakfast. I found him a little M/T civic for 2700 dollars, and he drove it for about a year, and then got a new car. The civic was handed down to my little brother.
There could be many reasons why said poster only has 5000 to spend, but I think he is wise for looking for something that can last him a little while until he can either get something new, or afford to maintain this one.
Anyways, back to topic
GM 3800 powered cars after 04 because of weak transmission components and LIM gaskets in prior years.
Grand Prix, Monte Carlo, Regal are all excellent mid size cars.
Larger cars like the Ford Panthers and Buicks are more likely to have been owned by older folks making them possibly more desirable, these too are very dependable.
RWD Mustangs and Cameros are good but keep in mind who the typical buyer is, all too often used ones are beat.
Living in GA FWD or RWD doesn't play much of a role unless you are going to live in a snow climate.
RWD is typically lower maintenance.
Many Japanese cars are very good but parts and labor prices can quickly spoil the experience. If you decide on one check the availability and prices for parts.
Many would argue "they don't break down as much" but this is a used car and that argument doesn't carry as much weight.
From reading my own post the Ford Panthers are looking better all the time.
Grand Prix, Monte Carlo, Regal are all excellent mid size cars.
Larger cars like the Ford Panthers and Buicks are more likely to have been owned by older folks making them possibly more desirable, these too are very dependable.
RWD Mustangs and Cameros are good but keep in mind who the typical buyer is, all too often used ones are beat.
Living in GA FWD or RWD doesn't play much of a role unless you are going to live in a snow climate.
RWD is typically lower maintenance.
Many Japanese cars are very good but parts and labor prices can quickly spoil the experience. If you decide on one check the availability and prices for parts.
Many would argue "they don't break down as much" but this is a used car and that argument doesn't carry as much weight.
From reading my own post the Ford Panthers are looking better all the time.
I wouldn't preclude buying a car just because it has a belt vs.a chain. I think you have to look at the big picture, like what are the overall maintenance costs. My car uses a chain, yet a spark plug change would cost more than a t-belt change if I paid someone to do it. And not all t-belt changes are really expensive. Most local guys charge $250.00 for a t-belt change on Volvo whiteblocks (850/V70s...) because it's really easy to change. So once you find a car that fits your needs I'd investigate all of the maintenance costs/issues. If you're tight on cash and trying to budget for car maintenance, I'd look mostly at transmission type/reliability more than anything, since it's typically the most expensive thing to fix and the most likely thing to have issues.
To answer you question though, some common engines with chains are 2.0 and 2.3 Duratec 4 cyl, 3.0 and 3.5 Duratec 6 cyl (lots of Fords), Honda K24 4 cyl (Honda from 2003 or so up), lots (most all?) of Nissans use a chain.
To answer you question though, some common engines with chains are 2.0 and 2.3 Duratec 4 cyl, 3.0 and 3.5 Duratec 6 cyl (lots of Fords), Honda K24 4 cyl (Honda from 2003 or so up), lots (most all?) of Nissans use a chain.
Timing chains, their tensioners, guides, etc., are NOT bulletproof.
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I'd serously consider an older Jeep Cherokee XJ. Lots of then under $5k and parts are easy to find.
NOTE: You do not want the Grand Cherokee! You want the smaller Boxy Cherokee.
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/2439074287.html
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/2438244617.html
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/2444292093.html
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/2443423207.html
NOTE: You do not want the Grand Cherokee! You want the smaller Boxy Cherokee.
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/2439074287.html
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/2438244617.html
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/2444292093.html
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/2443423207.html
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