Difference between a timing chain and a timing belt

What is the difference between a timing chain and a timing belt?

Timing chain and timing belt difference summary

What is the timing belt? The belt that connects the crankshaft to the camshaft is the timing belt. Timing means that the piston movement and the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves should be correct at all times.?Timing belt has been used in the engine for a long time, with mature technology, lower cost and less noise, but it needs regular inspection and maintenance, and generally needs to be replaced after 50,000~100,000 km. Timing chain has the significant advantages of compact structure, high power transmission, high reliability and wear resistance, lifelong maintenance-free, etc. However, compared with the traditional timing belt, its noise is generally a bit louder.

But nothing is absolute. With the progress of technology, toothed silent chains are used on some cars, and their noise is even lower than that of timing belt. It is believed that the widespread use of such timing chains will bring more convenience to the majority of car users. Many car owners may think that timing chains should replace timing belts completely, but in fact they both have their own advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of timing belt are low noise, low resistance and low production cost. The disadvantages of timing chains are: noisy chain drive, high transmission resistance and high cost.