Which cars got a chain cam?

MX5huggy

MK I and MK II Mx-5's have non interference engines so a snapped belt is just an inconvenience, not a engine rebuild. MKIII's have chain but are interference engines.

zappahey

cddc wrote: »

All Saab Petrol engines.......

Nope, the V6 has a belt

colino

The manufacturers largely went to rubber belts when more bhp per litre became an issue and timing had to be much more accurate and boiler room technology couldn't compete. They haven't really lived up to their hype. They are very well engineered, but add an accountant or some wayward fluids and longevity goes out the window. (Remember the recommended 100k belt change on the zetecs?)
Its true that chain technology has come a long way and some engine builders are going back to them, or in some cases, combining chain and belt.
It still is an odd criteria for picking a car, as neither is foolproof, and some go out of their way to muddy the waters, like when Jaguar chains were being copied and they were no more than well counterfeited boxes containing bike chains!

HedgeHunter

Some petrol Astra's 04-09 run chains, still have to change them though.

System

Zafira 2004 2.0l diesel

cootuk

Toyota Prius has a chain

Lum

getmore4less wrote: »

chains last longer than belts

For many drivers a chain will last the life of the car

Assuming the previous owner kept up with the servicing religiously, used the correct oil and so on...

pendulum wrote: »

Some Nissan Micras and quite a few Nissans

...and assuming the car isn't a Nissan Micra.

Very expensive job to replace a failed chain. I'd rather spend an extra hundred quid or so every 60K miles to change a belt, then I'm sure it's ok.

pitkin2020

Lum wrote: »

Assuming the previous owner kept up with the servicing religiously, used the correct oil and so on...



...and assuming the car isn't a Nissan Micra.

Very expensive job to replace a failed chain. I'd rather spend an extra hundred quid or so every 60K miles to change a belt, then I'm sure it's ok.

Exactly the same can be said for a belt i'm afraid, just because you change the belt every 60k doesn't mean it will last the full 60K.

Lum

Belts are much easier to inspect, usually just 3 bolts to remove the top half of the cover.

poppasmurf_bewdley

Lum wrote: »

Very expensive job to replace a failed chain. I'd rather spend an extra hundred quid or so every 60K miles to change a belt, then I'm sure it's ok.

The quote I had last month from my local Ford dealer to replace the cam belt and tensioner on my Mk 4 Mondeo 2 litre TDCi (along with the auxilliary belt (fan belt) was ..... wait for it........ £525 incl VAT.