03 corolla s timing belt or chain

[kercha83]

just like the title says. Does the 03 corolla s run on timing belt or chain.

[JasonA]

Chain.

[PhatRoyale]

It uses a timing chain.

[Ohiowa]

Originally Posted by JasonA

Chain.

Out of sheer curiosity, what are the pros and cons to either?

[JasonA]

Chains
Pro: usually good for the life of the engine, durable, no maintenance, thinner profile (saves space)
Cons: if not done right can be loud, heavier than a belt, more expensive, a bit harder on engine oil

Belts
Pro: cheap, quiet, easy on oil (no lubricated parts)
Cons: higher profile (takes more room), maintenance required

Personally, I much rather have chains, to the point of really not even considering buying a car with a timing belted engine (a lot of things about the car would have to overcome the fact that the engine had a belt for me to buy it). For the most part, and modern engine is going to get you 200,000+ miles if you want to keep the car that long (and I often do). I don't have the time or desire to do a timing belt change myself. I've been through that stage of my life (swapping engines for the fun of it, etc) but I'm passed that now. Timing belt changes don't get any cheaper as time goes on, and in general, it's going to cost $500-750 on average all said and done. That's a maintenance cost I'd rather not have over the 200,000 miles I might drive a car.

Plus, I often buy used, and a timing belt adds a whole variable of uncertainty to the deal. Say you're looking at a 125,000 mile Civic (with a belt). Has the belt been changed? Maybe, maybe not. Do you take the chance? If the engine is an interference engine, you might grenade the engine if that belt breaks. The chances of a chain failing are much smaller than a belt failing, and timing chain failures are pretty much unheard of with most good timing chain systems.

[atifkm]

Agreed with with you Jason.
One question, does the water pump has the same life as timing chain in new engines.

[JasonA]

Water pump? Not likely. The timing chain will typically last for the life of the engine. Water pumps typically do not. They're a standard replacement item on timing belted engines because they're behind the timing belt and usually TURNED by the timing belt. So it makes sense to replace the pump when you're in there. Water pumps on timing chain engines like ours are typically easier to get to, and not usually replaced unless leaking.

[rainking1978]

Originally Posted by JasonA

Chains
Pro: usually good for the life of the engine, durable, no maintenance, thinner profile (saves space)
Cons: if not done right can be loud, heavier than a belt, more expensive, a bit harder on engine oil

Belts
Pro: cheap, quiet, easy on oil (no lubricated parts)
Cons: higher profile (takes more room), maintenance required

Personally, I much rather have chains, to the point of really not even considering buying a car with a timing belted engine (a lot of things about the car would have to overcome the fact that the engine had a belt for me to buy it). For the most part, and modern engine is going to get you 200,000+ miles if you want to keep the car that long (and I often do). I don't have the time or desire to do a timing belt change myself. I've been through that stage of my life (swapping engines for the fun of it, etc) but I'm passed that now. Timing belt changes don't get any cheaper as time goes on, and in general, it's going to cost $500-750 on average all said and done. That's a maintenance cost I'd rather not have over the 200,000 miles I might drive a car.

Plus, I often buy used, and a timing belt adds a whole variable of uncertainty to the deal. Say you're looking at a 125,000 mile Civic (with a belt). Has the belt been changed? Maybe, maybe not. Do you take the chance? If the engine is an interference engine, you might grenade the engine if that belt breaks. The chances of a chain failing are much smaller than a belt failing, and timing chain failures are pretty much unheard of with most good timing chain systems.

Excellent post!

[mikered30]

My first water pumped was replaced under warranty. I slowly noticed that coolant level was slowly dropping. My second one is much better.