Expert: Mike Evans - 8/6/2009

Question
hi there

would want to know if you get a chain as a Camelot which you never need to replace.was told by dealer that my largo(1997)had one of those.japanese import.

thanks

Answer
    Most modern Japanese engines use a belt to drive the cam.  There are good reasons to use a belt instead of a chain, particularly if we are talking about a four-cylinder SOHC engine.  Belts are so reliable that the American builders of 5.7 liter racing engines for NASCAR have mostly switched to using a belt to drive the camshaft instead of the original chain.  Although the change from chain to belt on these engines, which have the cam mounted low in the block and driven directly from the crankshaft, isn't complicated, changing to a chain from a belt would be practically impossible and horrendously expensive.  And don't forget, chains wear out, too.  They don't need to be replaced as often as belts and therefore don't get the attention they need to keep them from failing.  And when they do fail or need to be replaced, the cost is much higher than with a belt.  The best way to take care of an engine in any car is to service it at the recommended intervals, keep the oil clean, and resign yourself to replacing or repairing it when it finally reaches the end of its life.  If you get a longer life than expected, that's what we call "gravy," because it's an extra goody.