Timing chain or belt?

[saabmom]

Hello, not sure yet how to post on this site, but I have a question:

My mechanic says that my Saab 2003 Arc Wagon has a timing chain, and not a belt, and thus I don't have to worry about it other than
maintenance. Sound right?

[nordwulf]

Hello and welcome!

Do you have the 4-cylinder engine or the V6? The 4 has a timing chain and doesn't need regular replacement. The 6 has a timing belt and should be replaced every 60k miles.

[Brad Lauzze]

If you have a US-spec '03 Arc wagon, you have a V6 and as Frank says, the timing belt should be replaced every 60k. The Arc wasn't fitted with the chain driven 4 cylinder engine until '04 when the V6 was completely dropped from the 9-5 line.

[nordwulf]

I never can remember what model years have certain engines for Arc and SE models. Thanks for clearing that up.

[rpiereck]

One quick way to check on your car:

Timing belts (like on the V6) must keep the engine timed precisely, hence they have built in teeth that mesh with the crankshaft and camshaft(s) on the car. They will have teeth that are perpendicular to the belt:


Serpentine belts, aka ribbed belts, (like on newer SAAB 4-cylinders) don't have to keep timing, hence they are have multiple ribs for traction against pulleys that have ridges on their circumference. The ribs run parallel to the belt itself:


V-belts are the old school type, with one single Vee shape ridge, that slots into a single slotted pulley. These can be found on the Classic SAABs. They generally have poorer traction than serpentine belts, and are more prone to squealing.


That is basically the visual way to identify them. By looking at your belts, or even feeling them if
you can't see them, you may identify what kind your engine has.

[nordwulf]

The V6 engine has both a timing belt and a drive belt for auxiliaries (serpentine belt). You won't be able to see the timing belt because it is behind a cover. So both the V6 and I4 engines have similar auxiliary belts.

It is much easier to tell by looking at the engine cover.

[rpiereck]

That engine seems huge compared to the 4 cylinder.