Which timing belt is better: a review of the best manufacturers

Expert: Boris Vladimirovich Filatov

*Review of the best according to the editors of expertology.ru. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

The timing belt is a very important component of engine operation. Thanks to this belt drive, torque is transmitted to various components: the fan, the gas distribution mechanism itself, the generator and others, provided for by the specifics of the car itself. According to their technical design, timing belts are divided into three types: V-belt, poly-V-belt and toothed, the most complex from a design standpoint (since its teeth along the entire perimeter must have an involute profile with a minimum relative position error).

Due to the widespread use of cars with internal combustion engines and belt drives, a huge number of companies are engaged in the production of timing belts. Accordingly, users are faced with a simple question over and over again: who is better? And, having conducted its own market analysis, Expertology magazine selected the eight best timing belt manufacturing companies that received the highest ratings from users and a group of experts.

Rating of timing belt manufacturers

When compiling the review, we examined products from well-known brands, compared the availability of spare parts on the market, the availability and coverage of the dealer network. Reviews of timing belt manufacturers from car owners and the opinions of engine specialists from service centers were taken into account. When compiling the TOP rating, the main attention was paid to the following parameters:

• No defects – the product is under load, cuts are not allowed;
• Assortment - the wider the choice, the easier it is to select spare parts for the car;
• Level of protection – the presence of holograms and codes guarantees the purchase of the original;
• Service life – affects operating costs;
• The set includes rollers for reliable installation.

The presence of cracks and cuts, low quality materials, vulnerability to machine oil - companies producing products with such characteristics were excluded from our rating.

The best manufacturers of engine mounts

Subtotals

Problems with this part arise only among motorists who are lax about the condition of their vehicle and do not undergo regular maintenance. If the service life of a part is completely exhausted or close to it, then it is necessary to replace it as quickly as possible, because in the future this problem can lead to more serious breakdowns.

Most products are made from neoprene or saturated vinyl. The first is a fairly popular material, however, at peak engine loads, when its temperature reaches 120 degrees, they begin to lose their elasticity and wear out faster.

Saturated nitrile is not sensitive to moisture, temperature, fuel or motor oil, which has a positive effect on the service life of the part. It is not surprising that they will cost much more than neoprene products.

When compiling our rating of the best timing belts, we took into account the reputation of the manufacturer, the price-quality ratio of the product, as well as reviews from users and car repair specialists. We have tried to select products that are optimal in terms of cost so that they are within the means of most of our readers. Now let's analyze in detail the performance characteristics of each model.

How to choose a timing belt

Car owners should find the exact answer to the question of which company to install the timing belt during scheduled maintenance. The reliability of the engine depends on this. Before installing a new part, you need to study the digital markings on its surface and check for damage. You should choose products from well-known brands, but before purchasing you need to make sure that you are holding an original and not a fake.

Digital belt designation

The part must exactly match the parameters of the original. Functionality, ease of installation, and service life depend on this. All timing belt companies mark their products. The code is printed on the outer surface; the basic information is encrypted in the digital designation:

• Clove shape;
• Pitch and height;
• The presence of a groove;
• Number of cloves;
• Product width.

The letters at the end of the digital designation inform about the materials used in production. If there is no letter code, then the part is made of neoprene rubber. A data decoding table is available on the websites of all spare parts manufacturers.

No mechanical damage

Constant loads place special demands on strength indicators. Manufacturers make products from high-strength copolymers that are stable at elevated temperatures and are additionally reinforced with fiberglass. To prevent all these efforts from being in vain, before purchasing components, you need to check the product for mechanical damage. Microcracks, burrs, and cuts will inevitably lead to rupture under high loads. This will cause damage to the valves and lead to a major overhaul of the engine.

The original or a fake

It is not difficult to make a belt of similar shape; it is more difficult to reproduce its technical characteristics. This requires innovative materials, technologies, and automated control systems. All this is missing from enterprises that counterfeit original products. The service life of such products is an order of magnitude shorter; the engine may go out of service on the first day of operation.

Products in the middle and high price range are counterfeited. To avoid buying counterfeit goods, you need to purchase spare parts in branded stores. It is necessary to study the packaging - holograms, QR codes, and digital identification are applied for protection. The original repair kit is made with high quality, there are no delaminations, inclusions, or mechanical damage on the rubber. The digital code is printed on the outer surface and corresponds to the data on the packaging. This part will last the stated 60-70 thousand kilometers.

ABC of Operation

Having decided which timing belt from which company is better, drivers, especially those who have encountered problems caused by defects in the production or operation of gas distribution rubber bands, should study the ABCs of replacement and safety precautions associated with these components. Here are the simple truths of operation:

• The average mileage of a timing belt from replacement to replacement remains at 60 thousand kilometers. It is better to look at the specific information on your car in the owner’s manual from the manufacturer, but if you cannot study these materials, you should play it safe and work according to average indicators;
• Belt tension is the key to its quality performance. An excessive indicator leads to stretching and is usually associated with excessive efforts by the technician, which threatens early failure of bearings and pumps, not to mention the timing belt itself. Initially, insufficient elasticity threatens to shift the belt, which may be followed by a serious problem in the engine. To prevent unpleasant surprises from becoming global, the degree of tension should be checked immediately after installation, and then monitored after half the recommended service life and, if necessary, tightened/changed to a new one;
• If the car “lives” in a hot climate all the time, the belt may shorten its service life due to drying out, loss of flexibility, and cracking. The spare part is made of rubber, which is extremely difficult to protect from changes in constant heat. Recommendations from timing belt manufacturing plants always indicate that permanent heat is the basis for replacing the component ahead of schedule by a quarter, and sometimes even a third;
• Attention should be paid not only to the belt itself, but also to its protection. If the casing is damaged, dirt, drops of oil and other engine compartment fluids are likely to get on its contents. Which also leads to premature aging of rubber;
• savings are not always justified. For example, in the case of replacing a belt without timing rollers, as the Russians like to do. According to the regulations, these spare parts are replaced as a set after certain mileage indicators, regardless of their visual condition. Otherwise, the rollers, which look good and are quiet to hear, may stop rotating at the most inopportune moment, and soon after reinstalling the belt, then you will have to change everything at once, and perhaps end up in repair of the motor due to a break with all the ensuing consequences;
• You can only change a belt without rollers if the first one fails much earlier than expected, for example, due to defects in the casing and subsequent oil spillage, drying out of the rubber, etc. But then the timing of replacing the belt and rollers will become asynchronous, and this will need to be closely monitored, without relying on the Russian chance.

The correct choice and conscious use of the timing belt, as well as the vehicle as a whole, is the key to the personal safety of the driver and his passengers. And also additional protection of the family budget from sudden expenses for repairs.

Which timing belt manufacturer is better?

There are no universal products: some suppliers skimp on quality, others offer spare parts at a high price. Which timing belt manufacturer will attract the attention of the car owner? The VyborExperta.ru team recommends suppliers of original spare parts that produce components for assembly line assembly and companies specializing in the secondary market:

• Gates – for owners of prestigious cars;
• Dayco - the best ratio between price and quality;
• Contitech – the choice of owners of German cars;
• INA – repair kits from Canada for used foreign cars.

All the brands presented in the review are worthy of the attention of car owners. Which kit is right for you? Only the most reliable and well-protected brands from counterfeiting received the title of best companies in their categories.

Bosch

Good combination of price and quality

In addition to household appliances, the company produces spare parts for cars. Timing drives are the best because they have a long operating life at a fairly low price.

If you use the vehicle in a gentle mode and do not overload the engine, the timing belt will work the entire 60 thousand km without any problems.

Advantages:

• the average price of the drive is 800 rubles;
• the manufacturer of the product is a German company;
• model range - along with BMW, you can also find belts for VAZ;
• there are practically no fakes;
• available in many automotive stores;
• long service life;
• does not lose shape and retains its integrity until replacement.

Flaws:

• when stored in a garage, rubber may lose elasticity and dry out;
• Replacement can only be carried out together with the rollers.

Hutchinson

Long period of operation

When deciding which timing belt is best to take, you should pay attention to the products of the French company Hutchinson, which is a leader in the global market for rubber-metal products. The products of this company are popular in the Russian automotive parts market.

The quality and reliability of drives is confirmed by many European auto giants (BMW, Toyota, Hyundai, Ford, Nissan, Citroen, etc.), which purchase elements supplied to assembly lines from Hutchinson. The company is constantly improving its production process and applying technology, based on quality standards accepted in Europe. They help make the properties of the finished product even better.

The gas distribution mechanism drives of this manufacturer are suitable for many vehicle models, including Russian VAZ (“LADA”) cars. Good quality and reasonable cost of the product increase the popularity of the product. In addition, drivers speak positively about the durability of the drive and a significant period of serviceability (100 thousand km is not yet the maximum).

Recommendations

Today there are a large number of fakes on the auto parts market. Naturally, the timing drive did not stand aside. Products from not only brands of expensive manufacturers are counterfeited, but also brands that are in the middle price category.

to follow simple rules when choosing the right product

1. Visit stores you trust. It doesn't matter which timing belt you choose. It is better to take from official representatives of companies producing specific products.
2. Inspect the packaging box carefully. Companies that value their reputation invest heavily in printing. If you have the original box in front of you, the images on it will be clear and not blurry. You will not find any grammatical errors in the text part. Perhaps there will be a hologram, although not all companies use it.
3. Carefully inspect the drive and all the parts included in the repair kit. The outer side of the belt necessarily contains data that will tell about the characteristics and purpose of the product. For example, brand, size, etc. In addition, the rubber must be free of cracks, damage, various inclusions and other inconsistencies.

Sources

• https://rad-star.ru/pressroom/articles/kakoj-remen-grm-luchsche/
• https://zen-Top.ru/top-luchshih-firm-remnej-grm/
• https://KrutiMotor.ru/vybor-poizvoditelya-remnya-grm/
• https://DriverTip.ru/tovary/kak-vybrat-remen-grm-dlya-avtomobilya.html
• https://tehcovet.ru/reitingi/avtomobilnaya-tehnika/luchshie-remni-grm-2021-goda.html
• https://MarkaKachestva.ru/best-brands/1192-luchshie-remni-grm.html
• https://vyborexperta.ru/avtomoto/luchshie-proizvoditeli-remnej-grm/

Contitech

Contitech is a German company that is included in the list of large manufacturers. Products from this company are installed on new vehicles during assembly. Contitech also produces belt devices, air suspension parts and other elements for cars.

Continental is a popular tire manufacturer and their timing belts are the best. The Contitech brand is a subsidiary of this enterprise.

The Contitech brand timing belt rubber mixture includes:

• synthetic rubber – 60%;
• carbon black, to which aramid or Kevlar fibers are added, which additionally protect against mechanical damage - 30%;
• additives for various purposes that help control the vulcanization process in the production of timing belts – 10%.

The standard drive cord material is fiberglass. The teeth of the product are covered with polyamide fabric, some varieties with Teflon film, to increase the service life of the belt.

The products of this company are very popular and can be used in various models and brands of cars. Many vehicle manufacturers directly purchase the company's products.

Economy class

Let's look at five timing belts from different manufacturers with their advantages and disadvantages.

Manufacturer: BMRT (RF, Balakovo)

Description:

The only Russian manufacturer that is able not only to compete with foreign ones, but also to lead the rating of timing belts in the middle and low price category. The plant produces exclusively rubber products. The secret of his success lies in his narrow specialization.

The wear resistance of the belt allows it to be used slightly longer than the guaranteed mileage. The assortment includes parts for products of the domestic automotive industry - timing belts for Priora, Grant, Kalina, and popular foreign brands assembled, including in Russia: Renault and Nissan. Balakovo products cover most of the economy car segment.

Pros:

• product range;
• quality confirmed by European standards;
• reasonable price;
• positive reviews from specialists.

Cons: not identified in this segment.

Manufacturer: BOSH (Germany)

Description:

A widely known manufacturer of equipment and electronics for one and a half years, which also has excellent recommendations for the spare parts and components produced for cars.

The concern implements a fairly acceptable pricing policy and constantly earns favorable reviews from real users. The disadvantage of timing belts specifically is their vulnerability under heavy overloads, but in the economy segment this is a general trend.

Pros:

• adaptability of goods to various car models;
• high protection against falsification;
• excellent quality within the warranty period;
• affordable price.

Cons: after replacing the belt, there is a period of grinding into the pulleys.

LEMFORDER (Germany)

Description:

This manufacturer is part of a group of enterprises specializing in auto components, which include timing belts that are suitable for both German cars and Koreans (Hyundai-Kia concern), Japanese (Honda and Toyota brands) ), “Americans” (“Chevrolet” and “Ford”), there is also a good timing belt for VAZ (including the timing belt for Grant, Kalina, Largus, etc.).

Despite the overall good quality characteristics, the expert community is concerned about the fact of a sharp decline in its own production. The company subcontracts belts from Korea or other German factories, packaging them under its own name. The subcontractor manufacturers themselves have good recommendations, but in fact, under the Lemforder brand lie completely different brands.

Pros:

• compatibility with cars from around the world;
• product quality;
• wide price range.

Disadvantages: camouflage products of other brands under this brand.

HUTCHINSON (France)

Description:

This brand produces the most wear-resistant belts that last for a long time and mileage. During factory assembly of cars, they are used by European and Japanese brands (from BMW to Citroen). The machines at the enterprise itself are constantly updated, as are production technologies. Spare parts meet all quality requirements in Europe and Asia. They have good compatibility with the domestic automobile industry. The operating range exceeds 100 thousand kilometers.

Pros:

• compatibility with cars from around the world;
• product quality.

Cons: none identified.

AMD (South Korea)

Description:

In Russia, this manufacturer has proven itself very well as a supplier of spare parts for domestic cars. Although initially it was a project of Japanese and Korean factories to maintain their line of cars in working order. But the company’s development dynamics quickly allowed it to expand beyond East Asia and begin to conquer the world. Gas distribution belts of this brand rarely break, which means they minimize sudden total engine failure. In product reviews, car owners note the adaptability of Russian cars and their satisfaction with the choice.

Pros:

• compatibility with cars from around the world;
• increased reliability and protection against rupture.

Cons: none identified.

All of the manufacturers listed are adapted to the Russian market; their timing belts are suitable for the most popular car models made or assembled in Russia. And this is mainly economy class, like the components themselves, so car owners are satisfied not only with the quality, but also with the price of the belts.

Gates

Industry leader

Gates is a manufacturer that is, so to speak, the “leader” among the rest. The Belgian company operates in a narrowly focused area: it produces timing belts for internal combustion engines and specialized equipment for various purposes. The company delivers its products directly to the assembly line of most major automakers.

Advantages:

• quite a large range of models;
• used for sports cars and can withstand loads at high speeds;
• the guaranteed period is 50 thousand km or 2 years;
• has high strength, which is achieved due to the drive width of 34 mm;
• has a reliable connection with the pulley thanks to 211 teeth;
• supplied directly to enterprises involved in the production of vehicles.

Flaws:

• price from 2,000 rubles;
• replacement is carried out complete with rollers, which leads to an increase in the cost of installing a new device.

"Balakovo"

the best manufacturer of Russian timing belts.

This company is the only one from Russia that is included in the list of the best representatives in this category. The popularity of the domestic manufacturer is explained simply: the plant in Balakovo specializes only in this product.

The quality of the manufactured goods is almost no different from foreign analogues. If you operate the car within reasonable limits, the drive will wear out according to the guaranteed mileage or a little later. The list of manufactured products is suitable for most vehicle models: the entire B1 platform, which is used by Russian car enthusiasts, and all VAZ cars - Priora, Kalina, Granta, etc.

Advantages:

• the catalog of manufactured goods covers all models of domestic cars;
• quality meets European standards;
• positive feedback from specialists after various tests;
• affordable price.

Flaws:

• not identified at this time.

Nuances of choice

It is quite difficult to say unequivocally which timing belt is better. To do this, you need to take into account the characteristics of the car itself, know its make and model.

The market offers a huge range of spare parts for vehicles. But among them there are a large number of fakes and simply low-quality parts. To make a truly right choice, you need to build on several basic recommendations, and also give preference to trusted manufacturers.

Choosing the right timing belt begins with determining the frequency of replacement of this engine element. Timing belts are considered consumables, that is, after a certain period of time they must be changed due to wear.

The average interval between replacements is 60 thousand kilometers. But practice shows that poor operating conditions can significantly reduce the service life of any spare parts, including belts. Therefore, drivers are recommended to carefully check the condition of the timing belt already at 40 thousand kilometers, and from about 50 thousand to be ready for replacement.

Without focusing on specific manufacturers for now, we can offer several options for car owners to choose from:

• original spare parts;
• non-original analogues;
• cheap belts from little-known manufacturers.

Here it seems that the choice is obvious, and you need to take only original spare parts. But among motorists there are also those who, without much fear, buy the most affordable parts, not paying attention to the potential risks posed by questionable belts.

Original timing belts are indeed the most expensive in terms of price. But there is a downside to this in the form of safety and quality assurance. Especially if the installation is carried out through an official service center.

There are some nuances here. If you look at the product catalogs of official services, the spare parts are listed under the car brand, but the manufacturer of the parts itself is not indicated. This doesn't just apply to belts. Such components are considered original. The situation can be explained with a simple example. The GM brand, that is, General Motors, is indicated on belts for Chevrolet cars. Although in fact GM itself does not manufacture belts. They are supplied under contract by Gates.

And here one most important nuance is revealed.

The cost of original spare parts is noticeably higher than that of exactly the same parts, but only produced under the name of the real manufacturer. It turns out that the GM and Gates belts are the same, only the price may differ by 20-50%. It is logical to ask why overpay for exactly the same part if you can buy exactly the same element at a lower price.

There are different opinions on this matter.

Some drivers are sure that there is a difference. Allegedly, for car companies, belt manufacturers make products of higher quality in order to best meet customer requirements. But already under our own brand, the products are doing a little worse. It’s hard to say what the point is in ruining your own reputation. This is likely due to the fact that manufacturers of spare parts, including timing belts, receive the main income through contracts with large automakers. Sales of parts under your own brand are already considered a secondary source of profit.

Although in reality there are no significant differences between the original belts and their analogues. The only difference is that the official service provides quality guarantees, while when purchasing a part on the regular market you are not protected from counterfeiting.

As for the third option, none of the sensible motorists will consider it. Buying cheap belts of dubious origin is potentially very dangerous. Here you may encounter low quality and unknown reliability. No one can say for sure how long such a belt will last.

Considering everything that was said earlier, when replacing such a consumable as a timing belt, it is better to contact official service centers for your car brand, or buy products from leading manufacturers.

Lemforder

The gas distribution mechanism has failed. Which timing belt should you choose? Definitely Lemforder. Since 1997, the company has been presenting the best range of brands and models of cars from various manufacturers.

The Germans work together with Korean companies. As a result, the list was replenished with new models for which Lemforder produces products. When choosing the required product, you can use the VIN code, because it is much more convenient.

Advantages:

• product cost – from 900 rubles;
• the drive is guaranteed to withstand a mileage of 60 thousand km;
• the teeth of the rubber belt have clear boundaries, which allows them to cling securely to the pulley;
• The belt is resistant to high speeds during long periods of time.

Flaws:

• counterfeits are widespread;
• the internal contents of the packaging may not correspond to the appearance, that is, manufacturers of other companies use Lemforder branded boxes for their goods;
• Certain conditions are required to keep the spare drive in good condition.