Several methods are used for investigating timing chain wear, from fired engine dynamometer tests through tribological model tests to simulations. Research over the past decade has shown that component or tribometer tests can replace expensive engine dynamometer tests in many cases. Simulation methods can further reduce the cost and time of development. Simulation models require experimentally defined input parameters; therefore, experiment-based methods cannot be completely avoided. However, a comprehensive comparison or validation of the various experimental and simulation techniques is difficult, as the literature on the topic is relatively scarce. This study aims to give a systematic comparison of the results of several investigation methods of timing chain wear, supported by data measured at Széchenyi István University, such as fired engine dynamometer tests, cold dynamometer tests, component tests, and tribometer tests, presenting their benefits and limitations, where possible through examples and results. The study also provides an insight into the compatibility of different measurement methods.

This paper presents the development of a test procedure to investigate timing chain components under abrasive stress on a tribometer. Engine developers use cost and time expensive engine dynamometer tests to investigate timing chain life expectancy under different conditions. Tribometer tests are fast and cost effective, but these use standardized specimen material and geometry that greatly differ from the original tribological system of the timing chain. Manufacturing specimens from the original chain material using the original technology is complicated; surface quality and hardness properties cannot be guaranteed. The aim of research was to develop a test method for rapid and cost-effective comparison of engine lubricants, timing chain materials or coatings, as well as to assess the wear resistance of the chain to contaminants. Various uncontaminated and carbon black blended lubricants were compared using standard-based ball-on-disc tribometer tests to tribometer tests using actual timing chain components (bush-on-pin test) of a Diesel engine. Lubricants were ranked in terms of coefficient of friction and wear. Results showed that bush-on-pin tests were comparably suitable for testing lubricants when evaluated against standard ball-on-disc tribometer tests.

The condition of the lubricating oil is a critical factor for the lifetime of internal combustion engines. The timing chain is a particularly sensitive component to the oil quality, so it can be used as an indicator when the effect of the oil quality and contamination on the engine has to be examined. For this purpose, a unique timing chain test bench was developed at the Department of Propulsion Technology at Széchenyi István University. This paper presents the function of this test equipment and the results of the first tests aimed at comparing the wear of a diesel engine’s timing chain using various soot-contaminated engine oils. A significant difference in wear was detected after 25 h of operation using oils with different soot contents. In the case of oil comparison studies, the chain test bench can be a cheap and fast alternative to engine dynamometer tests.