The best timing belt manufacturers: review, comparison, installation

An important part of the car is the timing belts. They serve to synchronize the operation of two motor shafts. The main material used in the production of belts is cord or cord fabric rubber. Each manufacturer changes the composition of raw materials to improve performance and increase wear resistance.

There is a huge selection of components of various brands on the market, but many of them are made of poor quality. In order not to make a mistake in choosing and determine which timing belt is better from which company, we suggest studying this article.

How to choose the right belt

Please note that it is important to promptly replace the timing belt. The average service life of a spare part according to average indicators is sixty thousand kilometers. It is important to understand that the duration of operation is influenced by various factors, so motorists have developed the rule of changing belts after reaching 50–60 thousand kilometers.

It is important to take a responsible approach to choosing a parts manufacturer. Below we will look at the most popular brands.

The best manufacturers

When purchasing spare parts and components, Russian motorists give preference to manufacturers such as Lemforder, Contitech, Gates, Dayco, Balakovo or Bosch.

Gates

The most famous manufacturer of belts for internal combustion engines. Production is established in Belgium. Products of this brand can be found not only in the automotive sector, but also in other industries.

Please note that it is difficult to find spare parts for this brand on the secondary market. The thing is that Gates, as the best manufacturer, cooperates directly with leading automotive companies. Only a small part of the product ends up on the aftermarket. Spare parts can be ordered through service centers or directly from the factory. The cost of such parts is quite high, but in this case the price fully corresponds to the quality.

Lemforder

One of the largest German companies that produces various spare parts and components for cars. Country of origin: Germany.

The company has established the production of belts of various price categories. All manufactured products are of high quality. However, there is an opinion that recently German or Korean spare parts have been produced under the Lemforder brand.

Bosch

The most famous German company, founded in Germany in the nineteenth century. The main direction is the production of spare parts and components for cars and other equipment.

Bosch belts are the best value for money. The main advantages of this brand are that the belts produced support various car models. Bosch products are rarely counterfeited. The main disadvantage is that after installing the spare part, it will take some time to grind it into the pulley profile.

Balakovo

Russian timing belt manufacturer. In addition to auto parts, the plant produces various chemical mixtures, rubber and technical products.

Experts have found that the quality of parts is not inferior to foreign analogues. A wide range of products covers models of many car brands. Reasonable prices and high quality components have won the trust of buyers in the domestic market.

Dayco

American manufacturer of automotive components. Counterfeits are often sold in the Russian Federation. In this regard, you can find many negative reviews on the Internet. The main advantages of American timing belts are average cost, high performance characteristics, and a large assortment of manufactured models that are suitable for various brands of cars. More detailed information about Dayco brand belts can be found in this article.

Contitech

Manufacturer of spare parts for new car models. Country of manufacture: Contitech – Germany. The company works directly with car manufacturers, but components can be found on the secondary market, although their price is quite high. Note that timing belts of this brand are highly reliable. Often the service life of parts is longer than the warranty period. The only drawback is that some belts require lapping along the profile of the grooves.

The best timing belts in the mid-price segment

This category of automotive products is represented by companies from Europe that have an average cost and have proven themselves well. Such elements are made from cord fabric or cord rubber, and additional substances are added to reduce noise and increase wear resistance.

Bosch - good quality for a reasonable price

In addition to household appliances, the company successfully produces auto parts. They have the best timing belts due to their long service life and relatively low cost.

If the car is operated carefully, without subjecting the engine to excessive loads, then this rubber drive will confidently maintain its 60,000 km of run.

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Pros:

the average cost of a belt is 800 rubles;
German manufacturer;
applicability to a wide range of models (there are belts for both VAZ and BMW);
there are few fakes on the market;
Availability in most auto stores;
long service life;
remains intact until replacement, so work can be planned at a service station rather than suddenly carried out in the field.

Minuses:

when storing a new belt in a garage, it may dry out and become rough;
changes only in conjunction with rollers.

Lemforder – range for all vehicles

If the rubber element of the gas distribution mechanism is torn, you can replace it with a Lemforder timing belt, the best due to the wide range for all brands and models starting from 1997.

The German brand cooperates with Korean manufacturers, which has made it possible to further expand the list of serviced modifications. It is convenient to use the VIN code for selection.

Pros:

cost from 900 rubles;
guaranteed belt mileage 60,000 km;
teeth with clear boundaries for reliable engagement on pulleys;
resistance to high speeds at long time intervals.

Minuses:

there are many outright fakes;
there may be goods from other manufacturers in original German packaging;
If the belt is purchased in reserve, then special storage conditions are needed.

Comparison of belts from different manufacturers

When choosing a timing belt, it is important to remember that this part affects the operation of the car engine. Today, the most popular brand of timing belts is Contitech. Gates models have high strength characteristics. The middle positions are occupied by Bosch and Dayco brands.

To operate and care for belts in winter, it is best to install reinforced Gates timing belts; problems and possible repairs for such spare parts will require a long period.

The low cost when purchasing a spare part will be a clear indicator that this is a fake, which probably has many shortcomings. Pay attention to the presence of a hologram and the corresponding quality certificate. This is the only way you can buy a good timing belt that will last a long time.

Which timing belt is better to choose?

With the modern assortment of different types of products, it is almost impossible to create an unambiguous overall rating - the pricing policy of auto parts brands is as extensive as the equipment of the cars themselves, so we will describe which timing belts are better in two large categories: among relatively budget models and premium ones.

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. In the assortment you can find parts for products of the domestic automotive industry - timing belts for Priora, Grant, Kalina, and popular foreign brands, including those assembled 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.

Premium class

For owners of more expensive and luxurious vehicles, appropriate spare parts are required. The premium class rating contains the five best manufacturers with a price and class noticeably above average.

DAYCO (USA)

Description:

This brand is deservedly included in our top, although in fact it is less popular in Russia than it deserves. The company is viewed skeptically by our compatriots, although it copes well with its obligations.

Daiko divides its supplies approximately equally between assembly lines and the component market, but has insufficient protection against counterfeits, a large volume of which occurs in the Russian Federation, so reviews from Russians often include unflattering ones.

Pros:

strong average in terms of quality indicators;
protective coating for additional abrasion resistance and noise insulation;
adaptation to Russian cars.

Cons: high percentage of gaps due to counterfeit products flooding the market.

GATES (Belgium)

Description:

The most famous brand among people who understand cars, the vast majority of whose products go to assembly lines, so the auto parts market sees few timing belts from this company, and it is better to order them directly from the manufacturer or from officials. The quality is at its best, as is the price tag per unit of production

Pros:

excellent workmanship;
brand reputation;
cooperation with the best brands.

Minuses:

high cost;
a small amount of goods on the secondary market.

CONTITECH (Germany)

Description:

A comprehensive manufacturer of components for fans of one brand for the maximum number of used auto parts. The company's products are expensive, but available for selection on the shelves, although, like its Belgian colleague, it is focused on direct deliveries to car manufacturing plants. Neither experts nor ordinary users have any complaints about the quality of the brand’s products. One “but”: after installing the belt, an adaptation period is almost always required - proper fit on the pulleys takes time.

Pros:

product quality;
service life extended due to improved composites.

Cons: need for grinding in.

INA (Germany)

Description:

This manufacturer services factories of the best brands in Germany and France with also access to the Japanese market and considers it its duty to provide multi-stage and meticulous quality control at all stages of production of its products. The company's factories are scattered around the world, but product testing standards are carried out according to the same regulations everywhere, reducing defects in its own market to a minimum.

Users deservedly revere the brand for its unsurpassed reliability, so timing belts under this brand can be found in both luxury cars and mid-range domestic sedan.

Pros:

exceptional reliability;
minimum defect rate.

Cons: none identified.

OPTIBELT (Germany)

Description:

It is Europe's largest manufacturer of belts, which are known for their top-level performance. Special production technology makes the “rubber bands” stable, but flexible, so the teeth do not move along the gears. Owners of domestic and foreign cars agree that purchasing such a belt is an investment in long-term peace of mind for the safety of the engine of their iron horse and their own safety while driving. This product does not deliver any unpleasant surprises.

Pros:

enormous reliability;
manufacturability of execution.

Cons: none identified.

Counterfeit belts

In the modern world, when purchasing a timing belt, there is a high probability that you can purchase a low-quality counterfeit product. It is quite difficult to distinguish the original from the copy. And packaging and the presence of certificates are not a guarantee of quality goods. In some cases, even the sellers themselves cannot be sure that they are selling original belts.

Gates has released a series of reinforced timing belts with an extended product warranty. Such spare parts have proven high performance, unlike fakes, which are most often made from low-quality materials.

In practice, there have been cases when the buyer mistook a counterfeit product for an original and problems arose during operation. Some brands have received a large number of complaints related to such situations.

Premium belts

INA

The company that produces these belts acts as a supplier of many conveyors where the motor group is produced, and not only these parts are installed, but also hydraulic compensators, phase shifter couplings and other similar spare parts. There is not a single complaint about the quality of the belt, since it is produced in compliance with all existing international technical standards, and is also further strengthened with reinforcement. The rollers supplied with the belt also have a long service life and a good margin of safety - during operation they will not begin to loosen or crumble, regardless of the applied loads.

During the manufacturing process, all processes are under the strictest control, so even the slightest chance that a defective part will be found is completely excluded. In the production of belts, a special, state-of-the-art technology is used to prevent them from tearing. If they wear out, their teeth will simply wear off, which will allow the motorist to at least get to the nearest service station and install a new spare part.

Advantages:

Reliable protection against gusts;
Long service life;
All additional elements are also of decent quality.

Flaws:

A little expensive.

Timing belts INA

Contitech

Like other manufacturers included in this section of our review of the best timing belts, this company has a wide range of products. It can be used not only in cars, but also in some areas of industrial production. These belts are sold in many countries around the world. According to consumer reviews, not only Russian but also foreign, the products of this company are the best among European manufacturers. According to the developers, the belts are capable of providing high adhesion to the elements, which ensures a high efficiency of the car engine, which increases to 98%. Another important point is that the motor starts to work almost silently, even the slightest vibration goes away. The products are manufactured in compliance with all necessary technical requirements, so they are designed for any climatic conditions - both extremely low and fairly high temperatures.

There are also universal belts on sale that can be installed on cars of many brands, including cars produced by domestic factories. You can run into a fake, however, if you know how to distinguish the original belt, this will not happen to you. First of all, the dominant color of the packaging of the product is yellow, if any other, you are holding a fake in your hands. It also does not provide information on which brands of cars are allowed to install these products.

Advantages:

The engine stops vibrating during operation;
Long period of operation;
Good wear resistance;
The motor does not make noise and does not make any extraneous sounds.

Flaws:

High price.

Timing belts Contitech

Dayco

The American company engaged in the manufacture of these products is a world leader in the research, development and manufacture of a wide variety of belts for cars, motorcycles and other vehicles, including equipment intended for agriculture and industry. The company itself has been on the market for over 100 years. During this time, many products were created that are significantly superior in quality to analogues from other companies. The belts fully comply with international quality standards, and they also meet environmental standards. The company produces more than 200 variants of timing belts, which are optimally suited for cars manufactured in European countries. Their stretching during operation is minimal, which ensures the quietest operation of the car engine. They are made from materials that have excellent friction resistance.

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The top layer of the belt is a polychloroprene mixture that can withstand very high temperatures. The basis here is a fiberglass cord that is resistant to tensile loads. The fabric layer prevents tearing, and another textile layer located deep in the belt prevents damage to the product from various abrasive materials.

Advantages:

Strength, resistance to loads of any kind;
The teeth not only adhere well to the pulleys, but also have excellent elasticity;
A car on one such belt can travel up to 110 thousand km.

Flaws:

Do not bend or twist the belt as fiberglass is quite fragile.

Dayco Timing Belts

Optibelt

These belts are made from high-quality chloroprene with the addition of a certain amount of polyurethane. They are durable and strong, making engine maintenance costs significantly lower. The product can withstand significant physical stress. Products come to our auto parts stores from various European countries, since the production facilities of this German company are located in many countries. The belts have a universal length, making them optimal for all standard engines. They are narrow and have several streams in their structure, which can significantly extend the service life of these products. This provides a significant reduction in the costs required for timely engine maintenance. Modern materials are used in the production process, which makes it possible to obtain fairly hard and flexible products.

Largely due to this approach, it is possible to increase power transfer. On sale you can find round belts, the diameter of which ranges from 3 to 15 mm. They are equipped with a polyester cord, have excellent resistance to abrasive materials, and are insensitive to solvents, gasoline and oils.

Advantages:

A large assortment;
Modern materials and technologies are used in production;
Long service life;
The friction coefficient is minimal;
There are practically no counterfeit products on sale.

Flaws:

Not very easy to find in stores, you often have to order it.

Optibelt timing belts

Gates

The belts of this American company have been recognized by experts as the best all over the world for decades, especially since the company has been on the market for over a hundred years. It has its own research center, where the development of new models is carried out, which are designed to provide the highest efficiency of the car engine. Products are subject to very stringent requirements from the quality control department, they are even stricter than existing global requirements. The composition includes nitrile, which is a modern polymer material with a high level of wear resistance; neither oils, nor gasoline or diesel fuel are sensitive to it, it performs excellently even in rather aggressive environments. Also used in manufacturing is fiberglass, which is twisted into a spiral inside the belt.

The toothed profiles are precisely aligned with the gears, which allows for the tightest possible grip of the belt with them, which reduces noise during engine operation and significantly increases efficiency. The products are perfectly protected from counterfeiting, so only original belts can be found on sale. There are quite a few varieties of products - regular, reinforced, and with rollers included. There are also extended kits on sale, equipped with various types of sealing elements.

Advantages:

An excellent anti-counterfeit system; counterfeits can be distinguished very quickly even by an inexperienced person in these matters;
Produces the entire declared service life even in quite aggressive environments and with sudden temperature changes;
Ideally resists wear and other physical stress;
Provides almost one hundred percent efficiency;
The engine starts running absolutely silently.

Flaws:

Not detected.

Gates timing belts

Replacement intervals

On average, it is recommended to replace the drive belt and gas distribution mechanisms after sixty thousand kilometers. This is an approximate indicator that depends on the operating characteristics and type of car. The fact is that on some car models, technical regulations set the replacement period for this part - seventy, and in some cases, ninety thousand kilometers. But still, in a large number of car models, the service life of belts is fifty or seventy thousand kilometers. It is important to remember that the gas distribution drive requires systematic monitoring and maintenance. If such procedures are neglected, the results may be disastrous.

Based on all the features and characteristics set out in the article, accurately and unambiguously draw a conclusion which timing belt is better to choose. In the Russian Federation, the most popular brands among drivers are Gates and Contitech. They are followed by Dayco and Bosch. The main requirement: it is best to buy original parts that are installed on the car from the manufacturer. Or purchase high-quality analogues. It is important to ensure that the part is a branded product.

How not to buy a fake product

The only way to avoid falling for a fake is by carefully studying the purchased product. Packaging, labeling, equipment and degrees of protection must be checked with information on the manufacturer’s websites. Many people use QR code feedback and holographic stickers.

You can find characteristic signs of fakes on the Internet, but this market also does not stand still, errors are promptly corrected. Some guarantee may be purchasing from official dealers of the brand.

In all other cases, you will have to conduct a thorough investigation of the product at the expert level, although primitive counterfeits are detected quite easily, and it does not make much sense to reproduce all the protections at the low cost of such a product.

Just careful consideration and comparison with the standard is enough.