Timing Belt Replacement At Motor Car Doctors
In automotive, the timing belt is the belt that synchronizes the engine’s crankshaft and camshaft rotation and the opening and closing of the engine’s valves.
Additionally, the water pump can rotate in some vehicles. So, these belts turn the crankshaft, thus opening and closing the engine valves, which allows the pistons to move up and down.
There are also a number of different vehicle models where a timing chain may be used instead of a timing belt. Timing chains are similar to belts, except they are made of metal instead of rubber. You may be able to go a little longer without replacing the timing chain if your car has a chain instead of a belt.
Occasionally, the belt in a vehicle can break, wear out, or become irreparably damaged. The belt will become loose as it ages, causing it to become useless. As a result, timing belt tensioners are needed to ensure the belt is tight.
If you fail to replace the broken timing belt, this will result in a complete failure of the engine. When a belt is worn or stretched, it can obstruct airflow through the valves and pistons, resulting in the piston colliding with a valve and damaging the engine.
Therefore, replacing or removing the timing belt will ensure your engine operates as it should and prevent you from having to make costly future repairs. Ensure you examine your owner’s manual before repairing or replacing your engine damage to avoid spending thousands of dollars.
A Faulty Timing Belt Can Cause The Following Symptoms –
● A Ticking Noise Coming From The Engine
An engine ticking sounds like something is seriously wrong with your car’s timing belt. Your timing belt is attached to the engine’s crankshaft and camshaft by a series of pulleys. A crankshaft drives pistons inside the combustion chamber through its connecting rods. In contrast, the camshaft operates the valves in the cylinder head and the rocker arm assembly, which sends fuel into the combustion chamber.
● The Engine Of Your Car Won’t Turn Over
If your car’s timing belt is broken or irreplaceable, your engine won’t start or turn over. Since the timing belt is responsible for operating the crank and shaft, you may hear the starter motor engage when you turn the key, but the engine will not fully ignite. If your timing belt fails, you can’t drive your car. Sometimes, timing belts break while cars are in motion, which can seriously damage cylinder head hardware, like rocker arms, push rods, and valves.
● An Oil Leak Is Discovered Near The Motor
Leaking oil seals indicate a worn-out timing belt. A leak from your timing belt cover is often the cause of oil accumulating around your engine. Although a series of nuts and bolts may secure the timing belt cover, they will likely lose their grip over time. Also, the timing cover gasket may wear out or crack, resulting in an oil leak. This can cause your engine to overheat and cost you a bundle.
● Exhaust Problems Occur
You might need to replace your timing belt if you notice that your car’s exhaust is leaking more smoke than usual. As a result, your engine will work harder than it should under such circumstances, leading to costly repairs in the future. Due to this overwork, your car will produce more exhaust than it should.
● Your Revs Start Acting Up
Your timing belt might be faulty if you’ve noticed that your RPMs are acting strangely. It does not matter if your timing belt is missing teeth or has snapped completely; it can have a profound effect on your car’s RPM meter.
It may seem surprising to you, but there are sometimes no obvious signs that the timing belt on your vehicle needs to be changed. Therefore, it is a wise and logical decision to replace your timing belt every 60,000 to 100,000 miles as recommended by highly rated auto mechanics. In addition to checking your owner’s manual, you can also look up the manufacturer’s recommendations.
While your vehicle is being serviced, we also recommend replacing the water pump. A timing belt removal makes replacing the water pump easy, as it typically has a similar lifespan. By doing so, you can save money on labor costs.
Most timing belt services replacement cost is a few hundred dollars. On the other hand, if the timing belt breaks, you could be facing the unpleasant situation of looking into the repair of the engine, which might be a few thousand dollars depending on the engine type.
Clearly, it is important to replace the timing belt on time and inspect and replace the other components as necessary when the job is torn down. A properly functioning engine depends on the proper functioning of the timing belt. Considering the significant role played by the timing belt and the enormous force under which it operates, it must be replaced regularly as per the instructions in your vehicle’s instruction manual.
If you believe your vehicle needs attention, contact MotorCar Doctors! We can help with general timing belt service, or full repair. We also provide other automotive services such as brake repair, engine repair, inspections and more. Call today to book your appointment!