Leading parts supplier febi has again highlighted the importance of choosing high quality when it comes to timing chain replacement.

The company says that when faced with a vehicle that needs a new timing chain, it is very important to consider the quality of the components that the technician is going to fit. febi timing chain kits, like all febi components, are manufactured to original equipment specification to guarantee a perfect fit and long service life. Saving a few euro by supplying or fitting a poor quality timing chain kit could inadvertently end up costing a garage thousands if it fails prematurely.

The timing chain is an integral part of the engine and is key to good performance. Unlike a timing belt, a timing chain has no recommended service intervals and is designed to last the lifetime of the engine. However, neglect, missed services and incorrectly specified oils can rapidly accelerate wear of a timing chain and its associated components and mean a replacement is required. If the timing chain wears heavily, it can often jump teeth or even break which can cause catastrophic engine damage.

To demonstrate the importance of quality in chain choice, febi recently took a competitor’s timing chain kit and put it to a real-life test. The test vehicle was a popular BMW fitted with a 1.8 turbo diesel engine which had covered 177,000km (110,000 miles) on its original timing chain. This vehicle was selected as the febi timing chain kit is identical to the original timing chain fitted to this BMW engine.

The original timing gear was removed and replaced with the competitor’s timing chain kit, which comprised of a timing chain, hydraulic tensioner, tensioning rail and guide. An engine oil and filter change was carried out using the correct specification oil to ensure maximum lubrication. The vehicle was then driven under normal road conditions for 1000 km (620 miles) before being stripped again and the timing chain kit sent for a detailed inspection.

Febi say the results were something of a surprise. Due to the wear pattern of the timing chain, which was entirely disproportionate to the mileage, the full timing gear set was assessed as ‘critical’. Even though certain components were still within tolerances, and the guide rail was assessed as unremarkable, the negative diagnostics findings for the timing chain was significant. The chain was found to be of the technical standard of an industrial chain, and was therefore unsuitable for an OE application and certainly not of OE matching quality.

Febi says that quality is vital when it comes to timing chain replacement and that its OE matching quality range provides and assurance of quality and fitment.

Full details of the febi timing chain range can be found on the febi Live! online catalogue at www.febilive.com.