TSX has a timing-chain, not a timing-belt

[IranBT]

There seems to be a lot of people who think TSX has a timing-belt. It's not their fault. Almost all of us assume this when we think of Japanese cars.

For the longest time, Japanese cars have been known for their quietly beating engines with a soft-feeling transmitted to the steering wheel and the gear shifter. This was mainly due to their well designed rubber-belted pollies. American car manufacturers never managed to achieve the same results and in fact they stuck to metal chains for a long time.

Just as American car makers started to finally find the right combination of pollies and rubber-belts for their engines, the Japanese giants(Honda, Toyota and Nissan) are moving away from rubber belts to metal chains!

Traditionally, chained engines run a bit louder and are less effecient. Not anymore. The Acura TSX is a perfect example.

The K24, 4 cylinder engine(naturally not as smooth as a V6 or V8) with a very high compression ratio(10+) and a timing chain(traditionally rough and noisy) runs much smoother than most V6 engines using timing-belts!

Advantages of chain over belt:

1. Usually outlasts the car itself
2. Doesn't need replacement until truely worn out with constant warnings(you'll know when it needs replacement unlike a timing belt which could tear into pieces while you're driving at 80mph on the highway and suddenly your engine starts producing smoke and BAM... You're out at least $2000)


Just thought I'd give us all another reason to love our babies!

[Peregrine]

I think most of us know about this little goodie, nevertheless, very well written and explained

(moved to a proper forum section)

[LannyMCS]

Originally Posted by IranBT

....For the longest time, Japanese cars have been known for their quietly beating engines with a soft-feeling transmitted to the steering wheel and the gear shifter. This was mainly due to their well designed rubber-belted pollies.....

What are "rubber-belted pollies"?

[06Tsxeer]

Originally Posted by Peregrine

I think most of us know about this little goodie, nevertheless, very well written and explained

(moved to a proper forum section)

I didn't. Thanks for info.

[crix868]

i must say it is good to have this here. i'm pretty sure there are ppl who wouldn't have known this. good post Iran

[Peregrine]

Originally Posted by LannyM

What are "rubber-belted pollies"?

I'm pretty sure he means pulleys that were well designed for belts in that context

[GeneralCho]

It was a nice read. Killed a couple minutes of work time. hahaha!!!

[crix868]

Originally Posted by GeneralCho

It was a nice read. Killed a couple minutes of work time. hahaha!!!

helped get you through your "Busy" work day too i see lmao

[psteng19]

Nissan has had chains in their inline 4's (GA16DE) since the 80's

[EDM-TSX]

did not know that... just assumed it was a rubber belt as always with honda... happy with this chain, saves me some money at 100k km's !

[wankerman]

Cool! I was starting to worry about the timing "belt" snapping on my 2004. It has 115,000Km on it. And I sometimes get the sudden urge to redline it, so... I'm very glad to know that I don't have to worry about it anymore. Thanks!

[Zakaria103]

so on chains no need to replace as often ? or i though you said it will out last the car it self if i read it right.. what are the warning of a chain breaking ?

[lcrazyaznl]

Some guy posted that he didnt take care of his tsx and let the oil run almost dead. I think he spent 5000-8000 roughly on fixing like cams timing chain and some other big labor.

So thats how much you can estimate to know you hurt you car badly.