timing belt on 04 accord 4cyl

Is there a belt or chain on the 04 4cyl accord?

 

Chain...never needs to be replaced..


L.B.

 

why do you say a chain never needs to be replaced. Typically timing
chains last anywhere from 150,000 miles to 250,000 miles.
The chain will stretch over time, the sprockets will wear over time, the
tensioner will wear over time. There may not be a recommended change
interval like a belt, but they will wear out over some time and will cause
the same kind of problems when they wear out or worse problems when they
fail.

 

The recommended interval is 150K miles.

 

My maintenace manual has no such interval. (Canadian) Where did you get this
information?

LB.

 

http://www.high-road.com/maintenance/maintenance.htm

 

Thanks for the link. I am not sure about the validity of a service interval
coming from a shop whose business is maintenace but it is something to
consider. A chain usually will not need to be replaced unless it stretches
or corrodes. Both are unlikely but having the chain inspected at some
frequency is prudent.

LB.

 

I have known the owner of the shop for 16 years. He has a degree in
mechanical engineering. I trust his judgment and I believe that it
would be difficult to find a shop with more integrity.

Eric

 

The main difference between belt and chain (aside from the fact that
belts are usually quieter) is that there will be definate unignorable signs
that something is wrong well before the chain breaks.

Engine rattle upon starting that goes away after a few seconds, knocking
upon acceleration/deceleration, valve noises, excessive oil consumption,
rough idle, difficulty starting, etc. are all things that will alert the
owner to have the vehicle checked.

Belts will often fail with no warning at all, and when there are signs
they are subtle and easily dismissed as something less important.
Inspections don't always tell the whole story as the belt can look fine from
the outside, but be frayed and ready to break underneath where it cant be
seen.

It just seems foolish to me to pay $200 to $400 to have a $30.00 belt
replaced, when the only real benefit to having that belt instead of chain is
a little quieter engine. Add to that the risk of complete engine failure
when a belt breaks on cars without free floating valves, and there is just
no upside at all to belts.


Bob