Does Honda Ridgeline Have A Timing Belt Or Chain? (Let’s See)

The all-new eye-popping Honda Ridgeline is Honda’s answer to the increasing demand for mid-size pickup trucks.

But does the Honda Ridgeline engine have a timing belt, or does it have a timing chain?

Some car engines are sometimes equipped with a timing belt, while other models have a timing chain.

This article provides an array of Honda Ridgeline with its engine type and whether it uses the timing belt or the timing chain. You may be interested to know if Honda Fit Have A Timing Belt Or Chain?

You can find some Honda Ridgeline models using the timing belt, while other models come with the timing chain. Over the years, the Honda Ridgeline car model has been alternating between the Honda timing belt and the Honda timing chain. Therefore, it all boils down to what model we are discussing. 

Difference Between Timing Belt Or Chain?

Yes, the Honda timing belt and the Honda timing chain have some differences, even though they practically perform the same function.

I will discuss the differences between the Honda timing belt and the Honda timing chain under their makeup and their pros and cons.

However, the use of the timing belt or chain depends on the manufacturing team’s choice and feedback from the review.

Both materials have their advantages as well as their disadvantages.

#1. Honda Timing Belt

• The Honda timing belt is a car component made up of a rubber composite that goes around the crankshaft and camshaft of car engines. Pulling alleys in the engine is responsible for holding them in place.
• The timing belt used in some Honda Ridgeline engines tends to be quieter than the timing chain.
• Honda Timing belts are less expensive than the Honda timing chain.
• The Honda Ridgeline timing belt often requires a routine checkup and must be replaced after certain intervals. At least after every 60,000 miles as recommended by Honda care.
• Also, this timing belt replacement requires removing the whole Ridgeline engine, which demands much professionalism and would cost you more.
• Damages done to the engine when a timing chain suddenly cuts are more severe than those caused by timing belt failure. However, suddenly timing chain failure can lead to the complete breakdown of the Ridgeline car engine.

#2. Honda Timing chain

• Unlike the timing belt, the timing chain is made of metal in the similitude to a bicycle chain. The timing chain works with tensioners that hold the chain in place.
• The Honda timing chain, however, rides around the sprockets. Therefore, every engine designed to use the timing chain usually has a chain tensioner that replaces the need for a timing belt.
• The Honda timing chain, as expected, is more durable than the Honda timing belt under normal Honda Ridgeline operating conditions. The Honda Ridgeline review shows that the timing chain in some Ridgeline models can last as much as up to five times as long as the timing belt.
• However, the Honda Ridgeline timing chain doesn’t require constant timing chain replacement for the entire lifespan of the car’s engine in some cases.
• The Honda timing chain in Ridgeline engine models is a lot more expensive than the Ridgeline engines that use the timing belt.
• Honda Ridgeline engines equipped with the Honda timing chain are noisier than the timing belts.

2022 Honda Ridgeline Timing Belt Or Chain?

Every Honda Ridgeline engine model from 2018 till the date has the Honda timing belt and not the Honda timing chain.

The fact that the Honda timing belt is easier and cheaper to manufacture makes it more desirable to automobile manufacturers.

In addition, it is made of composite rubber and requires little maintenance compared to the previous timing belt.

Several improvements have been made to the Honda timing belt, making it even more desirable than the Honda timing chain.

If you check all the latest 2022 Honda Ridgeline engines, you will find a plastic covering either by the right or left side of the engine.

This covering indicates that the 2022 Honda Ridgeline model works with the timing belt and not the timing chain.

Does The 2021 Honda Ridgeline Have a Timing Chain Or Belt?

Also, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline engine model’s design operates on the Honda timing belt. However, the manufacturers made a fantastic upgrade to the 2021 model.

Aside from the fact that the timing belt is a composite material, it was held firmly in place by using upgraded pulleys with an internal tensioner that holds the pulleys well.

Thus, friction in the Honda timing belt is greatly minimized, thereby enhancing durability.

A notable difference was experienced with the 2021 Honda Ridgeline model. Cases of constant timing belt replacement were significantly reduced due to the upgrade.

In addition, there was an increase in the engine’s powertrain and a general increase in the car’s performance. 

Does the 2020 Honda Ridgeline Have a Timing Belt Or Chain?

The new 2020 Honda Ridgeline comes with a V-TEC engine equipped with a timing chain rather than a timing belt like other car models.

This change is because the timing belt is less likely to break than the timing belt.

Also, the timing chain equipped in this particular model doesn’t need replacement, except it has experienced some problems or damage before.

The Honda timing chain mechanism provides a great deal of working performance and durability over the timing belt.

Aside from the increased performance, the timing chain mechanism also, in some way, decreases the size of the 2020 Honda Ridgeline engine.

No wonder the preference is offered to the Honda Ridgeline engine equipped with a timing chain over one equipped with a timing belt.

Does the 2019 Honda Ridgeline Have a Timing Belt Or Chain?

The 2019 Honda Ridgeline model, unlike other Honda car models, has a timing belt instead of a timing chain.

The reason is that the 2019 Ridgeline model came with a V6 engine model.

As a result, there were countless complaints about using the Honda timing chain.

However, the damages caused in previous models due to chain breaks forced Honda to use the timing belt in the 2018 and 2019 Ridgeline models.

The Honda timing belt of the 2019 Honda Ridgeline model was much more potent since it was made of composite rubber.

This technology helps increase the durability of the Honda timing belt, which tends to increase the engine’s performance as well.

However, this upgrade made on the 2019 Honda Ridgeline engine made the V6 engine increase in size.

But the average cost of this Honda timing belt replacement was reduced to just $200 to $500. 

Does the 2018 Honda Ridgeline Have a Timing Belt Or Chain?

The 2018 Honda Ridgeline engine model came with a timing belt and not the timing chain.

Also, the 2018 Honda Ridgeline models were designed with an interference-type engine model.

In essence, this means that using the timing chain will cause severe damage to the 2018 Honda Ridgeline model when there is a chain break.

Starting from the 2018 Honda Ridgeline model above, the Honda timing belt was in place of the Honda timing chain.

As a result, most all Honda engine types from this model upwards were interference engines that support the timing belt.

This, however, does not mean that the Honda timing chain cannot be used in an interference engine. 

How Much Does It Cost To Replace?

The average cost of the Honda timing belt replacement for the Honda Ridgeline car model is about $400 to $700 for standard charges. In addition, the labor may cost about $200 to $250.

The Honda timing belts require timing belt replacement at certain intervals, often very expensive.

This is often the primary reason why the Honda timing chain is preferable to the timing belt. 

On the other hand, the Honda timing chain doesn’t need replacement as the timing belt. It only requires a minimal level of maintenance, like oil lubrication, from time to time.

However, the average cost of the Honda timing chain replacement is $200 to $500, depending on your city.

But in some cases, the Honda timing chain may last the entire lifespan of your car’s engine, which means more savings on engine maintenance, a desirable option for car users.

Whenever you begin to notice a certain timing belt or chain malfunction, it is often best if you go for an engine checkup.

It would help if you did so to avoid any further problems that might occur due to a timing belt or chain break.

Therefore, I recommend you go for the Ridgeline model that uses the timing chain instead to avoid all these maintenance issues.

How to Tell if Your Car Needs a New Timing Belt

Conclusion

Honda has done several upgrades worthy of recognition on the Honda Ridgeline car model. Every model comes with its unique engine design and complexity.

Some Ridgeline models are equipped with the timing belt, while others come with the timing chain.

Although they both practically serve the same purpose, they have differences, merits, and demerits.