8 best timing belts

*Review of the best according to the editors. Selection criteria. This material is subjective, it is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to purchase. It is necessary to consult with a specialist before making a purchase.

Timing belt is a very important component of the engine. This belt transmission transmits torque to various nodes: the fan, the timing mechanism itself, the generator and others, provided by the specifics of the car. There are three types of timing belts by technical construction: V-belt, poly-V-belt and toothed belt, which is the most complicated in terms of construction (since its teeth around the circumference should have an involute profile with minimum error in mutual positioning).

Because of the wide distribution of vehicles with internal combustion engines and belt drives a huge number of companies are engaged in the production of timing belts. Consequently, users are faced with the elementary question time and again: Who is the best?? Expertology magazine has conducted its own market analysis and picked eight of the coolest timing belt companies, which have received the highest ratings from users and a panel of experts.

How to choose a timing belt

Choosing a timing belt is generally very similar to choosing any other part: it has its own identification signs and markings that identify the degree of originality and the accompanying quality of the product. In order to make the right purchase decision, the editors of Expertology magazine advise to pay attention to four key characteristics:

1. The numerical marking of the belt.Many people mistakenly believe that timing belts (regardless of type) are individually made and labeled as. In fact, they are cut from a large billet, which is first subjected to a process of applying a differentiated numerical code. Often on the market you can come across belts with a designation in which all the numbers are the same – this is a sure sign of counterfeiting and a reason to refuse to buy such a product.
2. Hologram of the manufacturer and certificate of conformity. As a control mark of the originality of timing belts, manufacturers have begun to glue special holograms to the boxes, and also equip each with a small accompanying certificate. We advise you to look closely before buying, both the box itself and its composition: if you do not have a certificate, be sure to ask the seller for one. In case he will not be able to give it away, don’t hesitate to refuse to make the purchase.
3. Cost level. An indirect sign by which you can distinguish a quality belt from a cheap counterfeit. It is necessary to know, at least superficially, the hierarchy of producing companies – who sells the product at a high price, and who belongs to the budget segment at all. Here it is worth remembering the cardinal rule: only goods that can be counterfeited can be made for money. Thus, the main risk group is represented by medium- and high-end timing belts.
4. Presence/absence of damage to the belt and packing box. The last criterion on the list, but by no means the last in its importance. Inspect the belt closely before buying it to make sure it has not been cut (even minor ones), has not had any broken teeth or segment breaks. Also pay attention to examine the box: there are no rough scuffs or tears, and the manufacturer’s information and hologram are intact. Most often, chafing and defects are blamed on delivery problems, but 80% of the time these excuses are untrue.

Rating of the best timing belts

Contitech

Rating: 4.9

The first place ranking goes to Contitech, a division of Continental that underwent abolition in 2018. In fact, it was a close analogue of Dayco, the only difference being that the belts were developed on the material and resource base of one of the biggest tire manufacturers. Naturally, there was continuity (of both methods and technology), in-depth research of features and development of fundamentally new ways of making a quality product.

However, the Contitech management had the foresight to restrain the rate of saturation of new products with fresh developments, thus avoiding price increases and breaking the fine balance between consumer costs and quality. To date, it is not clear how the products of the disbanded brand will be promoted on the market. It is most likely that rubber-metal products (including timing belts) will go under the Continental logo…but the essence will remain the same.

Advantages

• The largest research laboratory and experience accumulated over decades of work with rubber-metal products;
• partial withdrawal of technology from the motor tire sector
• optimal balance between price and quality of the finished product;
• widespread market penetration and customer loyalty.

Flaws

• not identified.

Gates

Rating: 4.8

One of the most famous manufacturers of timing belts, with a reputation as a good company not only in the engineering industry. From the moment of its establishment Gates has positioned itself as a company for conveyors and concluded exclusive contracts for supply of the component to the largest automobile producers.

The considered production of the Belgian giant meets the highest quality and safety requirements, and also bribes the users with a very long service life (about 150-200 thousand kilometers to complete destruction). The only problem: belts (neither cogged, nor V-belts) from Gates are almost impossible to find in retail sales: as it was said above, over 90% of all manufactured goods are delivered to conveyors, and only 10% are thrown on the free market.

Advantages

• Availability of its own research center and continuous improvement work on belts;
• the highest quality and safety parameters;
• up to 200,000 kilometers of possible mileage;
• cooperation mainly with car manufacturers.

Disadvantages

• high value for money.

Dayco

Rating: 4.8

The American company with Italian roots takes the third place in the rating, being the most loyal supplier of timing belts for different car brands. Nevertheless, on the domestic sites (Internet-catalogues and retail outlets) their product began to appear relatively recently, which caused not the highest level of popularity of Dayco in Russia.

It is noteworthy that of all the leading triad, Dayco has the most balanced product shipments to the conveyor and retail markets and accounts for 50/50%. Among the specific features of their belts there is unique technology of applying Teflon coating, which reduces operating noise and protects the base material from wear. In addition, the support of the domestic auto industry is evident: all models, starting from “Kalina” and “Priora” got one more quality analogue of timing belt, and for a small amount of money. In terms of budget and quality, only Contitech can put up a fight against Dayco – the Belgian Gates is much more expensive.

Advantages

• unique technology of belts processing by applying Teflon coating (to prevent wear and noise);
• production of a large number of quality counterparts for domestic cars;
• competent pricing policy;
• high quality standards.

Disadvantages

• Few fakes on the market that spoil the image of a good manufacturer.

Bosch

Rating: 4.7

The old German company from the village of Gerlingen is a very well-known manufacturer of household / construction equipment and auto parts for all needs. That is its strength and its weakness, because quality assurance in such a diverse business is a great challenge.

However, both experts and users advise not to worry about timing belts – this is one of the most stable niches in the Bosch product line. Despite the huge variety of types, the Germans managed to maintain a surprisingly consistent quality in all aspects, including performance and service life. Which, by the way, lasts for the same 100 thousand kilometers, on average, as the major competitors in the rating. It completes the excellent picture of sales and the average price level, very profitable for average consumers and from the point of view of long-term costs.

Advantages of

• The average price level for the whole range of goods;
• Amazingly smooth quality in all kinds of belts;
• exclusive cooperation agreement with BMW;
• the ability to withstand slight overloads in terms of rotational speeds.

Disadvantages

• Running-in of a new belt is necessary (for the lapping of teeth to the pulley).

Lemforder

Rating: 4.7

A representative of the famous German concern ZF, which belongs to the category of medium-price segment brands. Gave up its position as a major manufacturer, becoming nothing more than a mere commodity supplier under a logo known to many. However, Lemforder keeps their name unstained: in the brand box on the market they offer either spare parts from BOGE and Sachs, which are friendly (belonging to ZF) companies, or products of little-known Korean factories, which are also strong in terms of quality endurance.

This fact is not a big secret for the whole world community, and most surprisingly, it does not prevent Lemforder from signing multimillion contracts for the supply of timing belts to the conveyors of many global automakers. Among their buyers are American Chevrolet (General Motors) and Ford, Korean Hyundai and KIA, Japanese Honda and Lexus, European Volkswagen and Russian VAZ. For the latter, by the way, belts turn out very durable: consumers praise Germans for a long service life.

Advantages of

• The abundance of belts for all price categories;
• High quality products sold under the auspices of Lemforder;
• high popularity among car manufacturers
• As a rule, a long service life of timing belts.

Disadvantages

• The brand is gradually becoming a supplier of other manufacturers’ products.

INA

Rating: 4.7

Another German company has gained the reputation of being the most circumspect manufacturer of timing belts. INA is a major supplier of rubber-metal parts to assembly lines of Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot, Toyota, Audi, etc., famous for introduction of strict operational control of geometric parameters and product characteristics. Moreover, compliance with this production system is the prerogative not only of the German base plant, but also of other plants scattered around the globe.

In particular, one of the INA companies also operates in Russia, faithfully supplying to the market timing belts for VAZ cars. Consumers speak well of the experience of using them, noting among the main advantages excellent quality conditions, durability and the virtual absence of low-grade fakes. The experts’ verdict did not differ much from the people’s opinion, though they noted some overpricing by the company in comparison with its main competitors.

Advantages

• Good quality of belts, guaranteed by implementation of operational control from raw material delivery to cutting and packing;
• cooperation with a number of major car brands;
• stable performance;
• Long interval between replacements (over 100 thousand kilometers).

Disadvantages

• high price for the products.

Optibelt

Rating: 4.6

A highly original and reputable manufacturer of timing belts from Germany, always following the once chosen development path. By the way, it is not only in the interesting presentation of the goods (as a rule, manufactured products come in a very distinctive and recognizable boxes), but also in the technology of production. Thus, a characteristic feature of Optibelt belts is a very low tendency to wear, which excludes the possibility of any belt shift on the pinion over a long period of time. Chloroprene rubber, treated with a special antifriction composition, is partially responsible for ensuring this result.

According to the classic genre, the main consumers of Optibelt belts are German car producers (Mercedes-Benz, Vlokswagen), but a big stream of the company’s products is also exported to the retail market. Local owners of VAZ cars could also touch the quality – from the now discontinued “Granta” to the recently upgraded “Vesta. Be that as it may, the German company is highly trusted in experienced circles, so the question of its inclusion in the rating was not even considered.

Advantages of

• adherence to one class of manufacturing technology;
• very high quality and durable base of the belts with a unique antifriction impregnation;
• the original production feed;
• Concern for reliability and active opposition to adulteration;
• High praise from users and experts.

Shortcomings

• has not been revealed.

Hutchinson

Rating: 4.5

French grandee of rubber-metal products production, striving to achieve high operating life from the whole range of manufactured products. It is the main partner of several car manufacturers (including Toyota, Huyndai, Ford, Citroen, etc.).), which is an indirect proof of quality and popularity.

Experts note Hutchinson’s systematic introduction of new technologies (at least in the process of manufacturing of timing belts) which allow improving accuracy and upgrading performance characteristics. Some users claim that the belt, bought and put instead of the regular one, can run up to 100 thousand kilometers, and this is not the maximum possible limit. No matter how great is the feeling of sympathy to the French company, but recently the cases of mass falsification of their products have become more frequent. Engineers and promoters of the company are trying to come up with some workarounds, but neither the notorious holographic tags nor the accompanying certificates stop imitators from copying the quality product. All this negatively affects the image of the company, but we hope that the situation will eventually find a positive outcome.

Advantages

• high technical and operational performance of the original belts;
• Cooperation of the company with the world’s leading automakers;
• operating life is often enough for 100 thousand kilometers of run;
• Good value for money.

Flaws

• High volume of counterfeit products on the market (even they have good mileage).