"Elmo P. Shagnasty" wrote:
>
> In article <XcGdnZmFErNUkcbfRVn-pQ@rogers.com>,
> "Jack" <jdoe@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Why doesn't Honda use a chain instead of a high maintenance belt?
>
> Honda made the trade-off for the overall benefit the belt provides.
>
> I think it's a fair trade-off, from what I've seen.
>
> Don't think the chains are low-maintenance or lifetime (despite what VW
> says with its new Jetta).

Honda is going back to chains as well. I believe (and have not gotten
this confirmed) that when you have true adjustable valve timing (VTEC
did not really adjust the /timing/, it just selected between different
cam lobes (the different lobes having different timing and lift)) you
get more stress on the cam drive, and thus want a chain rather than a
belt. Honda's i-VTEC (true adjustable timing) engines use a chain, as do
Toyota's VVT-i (Again, true adjustable valve timing). A quick Google
search shows BMW engines with VANOS (true adjustable valve timing) also
have chains.


--
================================================== =====
A very modest collection of Honda tech info can be found at:
http://www.geocities.com/ng_randolph