The Chevy Cavalier timing chain and/or timing belt are vital to the operation of your entire vehicle. Without a properly installed and adjusted timing chain or timing belt, the valves on your engine won’t open and close at the appropriate times. An improperly adjusted timing chain will result in a loss of power, and a broken timing belt can cause complete engine failure as well as other major repairs.
Sound expensive? It certainly can be. Unfortunately, that’s one of the major drawbacks of using a belt as opposed to a chain. I’m sure you’re asking yourself, ‘If a broken timing belt can cause so much damage, why doesn’t everyone use a Chevy Cavalier timing chain?’ For all of its advantages, a timing chain is quite simply noisier, and more expensive than a timing belt. And as such is not a very popular purchase for most vehicle owners. These Chevy Cavaliertiming belt / timing chain differences are particularly prevalent in the overhead cam engines that are becoming more common. Since timing chains are so long, a timing belt will actually stretch less, resulting in better camshaft timing and improved efficiency.
Quite frankly, a timing belt simply makes more sense than a timing chain. While a timing chain may last the life of an engine, a timing belt will offer better overall performance when replaced regularly. Check your owner’s manual for the optimal timing belt replacement mileage.
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