[vikram_d]

Originally Posted by invincible7

I think the cost of replacing it will be higher than 3-4K as there are a lot of other things which are replaced with it I believe like for e.g. all rubber belts, water pump are inspected and changed as well. Can anyone share the total cost of the work involved and also what all gets replaced with it.

How is the water pump connected to the timing belt? Are you talking about the accessory belt which runs everything else like the AC compressor, water pump, altenator etc.?

[invincible7]

Well it is ideally advised to change the water pump with the timing belt as its much easier to do the same at one time and since it also has a life span attached with it, there is no other way to know when it will break in future so its somehow advised to club it with the timing belt change or perform checking whether it is working fine.
I was talking about drive belts.

[vikram_d]

The water pump needs to be replaced only if there is something wrong with it and it does not have to be changed with the belts. Also the timing belt does not drive the water pump. Water pumps failure is very rare. The accessory belt which I think you are referring to as the drive belt drives the water pump.

[mempheS.D]

Originally Posted by vikram_d

The water pump needs to be replaced only if there is something wrong with it and it does not have to be changed with the belts. Also the timing belt does not drive the water pump. Water pumps failure is very rare. The accessory belt which I think you are referring to as the drive belt drives the water pump.

vikram_d,

I did my quick wiki on this to learn more about the timing belt and this is what I found. What needs to first checked is whether we are talking about "interference engines"

• In "some" engine designs, the timing belt may be used to drive the water pump.
• The additional cost to replace the water-pump in comparison to that of the timing belt itself is negligible, and is hence recommended during belt change to save on possible labour charges soon after.
• The tensioner is also a vital component in the smooth functioning of the belt and needs to be adjusted neither tight nor loose.

Saw a link too that may serve as a good read for the benefit of forum members following this thread.

[vikram_d]

The G13B engine in the Swift petrol is not an interference engine. Oh wait or does his car have the K12M engine?

[Zed]

If im not mistaken the K series have timing chains for engine timing.

[vikram_d]

Originally Posted by Zed

If im not mistaken the K series have timing chains for engine timing.

Just researched and found what Zed has said to be true. The K12M has a timing chain. So that means he has a G13B engine which is non-interference engine.

[Eddy]

How about the Multijet engine ? I believe that the engine has a timing chain. When should that be changed ?

[vikram_d]

Originally Posted by Eddy

How about the Multijet engine ? I believe that the engine has a timing chain. When should that be changed ?

Timing chains normally last a long while unless they have some manufacturing defect. For my Mondeo the company recommended interval for timing chain inspection is 3 lakh kilometers.

Check your car's owner manual for what Suzuki recommend.

[mempheS.D]

And am I corrrect to say that timing chains are more durable than timing belts?

[vinit.merchant]

Ok. Here's a question from a technically not sound person.

Can a timing chain be fitted to an engine which originally had a timing belt?

[dadu]

Originally Posted by vinit.merchant

Ok. Here's a question from a technically not sound person.

Can a timing chain be fitted to an engine which originally had a timing belt?

Firstly its important to know if your engine is interference or non-interference as there are risks associated with interference engines timing belt breakage.

Secondly, the timing chain cannot be used in-lieu of timing belt as the chain is inside the engine lubricated by the engine oil, whereas the belt is not.

[Eddy]

Originally Posted by vikram_d

Timing chains normally last a long while unless they have some manufacturing defect. For my Mondeo the company recommended interval for timing chain inspection is 3 lakh kilometers.

Check your car's owner manual for what Suzuki recommend.

Thanks.

I vaguely recall checking it once but the service interval guidelines are mentioned only till 1-1.4 lakh kms and not beyond.

Will have to check again.

[mempheS.D]

Originally Posted by dadu

Firstly its important to know if your engine is interference or non-interference as there are risks associated with interference engines timing belt breakage.

Secondly, the timing chain cannot be used in-lieu of timing belt as the chain is inside the engine lubricated by the engine oil, whereas the belt is not.

Any idea what the Skoda Fabia 1.6 MPI would be categorized as? I tried googling and can't find anything. But, I'm sure about the timing belt as I've seen it myself with VW AG written in yellow all over it.

[autocrat]

Originally Posted by vinit.merchant

Ok. Here's a question from a technically not sound person.

Can a timing chain be fitted to an engine which originally had a timing belt?

The most important work of the timing belt / chain, is well, to get the timing right.

To replace a timing belt mechanism with a timing chain one, one must aim to achieve the same timing, i.e, get the sprocket dia, number of teeth, distance between sprockets, chain length and number of links etc. to achieve the same timing.

And as dadu has mentioned - get some way of lubricating the chain.

Not sure if the chain drive is heavier and needs bigger bearings to support the weight of chain and forces of inertia.