Timing Belt

Your car's timing belt is responsible for maintaining the precision that's crucial to your engine's functions. Essentially, it coordinates the rotations of the camshaft and crankshaft so the engine's valves and pistons move around in sync. The anticipated lifespan of your timing belt is certainly specific to your car and engine configuration, generally between 60,000 and 100,000 miles.
The manufacturer's recommended intervals certainly are a safe guideline; you probably won't need to replace your belt any earlier [source: Allen]. Nevertheless, if you're approaching your program interval and also have doubts about the belt's condition, you might as well obtain it replaced just a little early. It'll be less expensive than waiting until following the belt breaks.
Why is it important to replace the timing belt on such a strict schedule? The belt is certainly a synthetic rubber strap that contains fiber strands for power. It has tooth to prevent slipping, which fit into the grooves on the finish of the camshaft and crankshaft. It's a simple part for such an important function, and when it snaps, issues get much more complicated. Unlike many car parts that steadily lose function as they wear out, a timing belt just fails. Whether the belt breaks or a couple of teeth strip, the end result is the same. One minute, your car will be running flawlessly; the next minute, it will not. You're in big trouble if your car has an "interference engine," in which the valves are in the path of the pistons. If the camshaft or crankshaft techniques independently in an interference engine, you will have at least one valve/piston collision. The fragile valves will bend, and you will be faced with an expensive repair.
It's easy to check the belt for indicators of premature wear -- simply locate it in the engine bay (usually under a plastic-type material or metallic shield that should be easy to remove) and check it for drying, fraying and discoloration.
You can replace the timing belt yourself if you have access to the necessary equipment. In a few cars, it's a straightforward procedure -- remove the engine covers and shrouds, fall into line the camshaft and crankshaft, slip off the old belt, and slip on the new one. Sometimes, though, it's a lot more complicated. For example, the timing belt might loop through a motor mount, in which particular case the mount would need to be removed to gain access to the belt. You'd require an engine hoist or stand to safely remove and replace the mount
Keep in mind that an error in this job, such as improperly turning the engine yourself or failing to coordinate the shafts, will cause the same damage since a snapped belt.
The timing belt keeps the camshaft and crankshaft turning at the right rate. The crankshaft techniques pistons up for compression and exhaust cycles, as the pistons move down for power and intake cycles. With respect to the vehicle make, a timing belt may also run the water pump, essential oil pump and injection pump. The camshaft controls the opening and closing of the valves for intake and exhaust. The valves must open at the correct time to allow fuel to enter the chamber and then close to allow for compression. If the timing routine is off, fuel may not enter the cylinder or could get away through an open up exhaust valve. If the valves aren't completely closed during compression, the majority of the engine’s power will be lost.
Many car owners may wonder how often to displace a timing belt. As technology provides improved, many manufacturers suggest intervals up to 100,000 miles. To be safe you should examine what the vehicle’s producer recommends and stay within that mileage. Faulty timing belt symptoms include a lack of power, lack of fuel economy, misfiring and engine vibration. Timing belt sound is no longer probably the most apparent indicators of potential belt failure. When the vehicles experienced timing chains they might become very noisy as they loosened and began to chatter. Now that vehicle manufacturers are employing belts you are less likely to hear when it becomes loose or cracks. Belts can create a moderate chatter sound but nothing compared to the seems of a timing chain.
You can also answer fully the question of when to replace a timing belt in case you are having other work done that will require removing the timing belt cover and belt. In most automobiles, the belt should be eliminated if the drinking water pump must be changed. Reinstalling a utilized belt is not an excellent idea. The belt will have stretched and getting the timing set precisely right is difficult. Nearly all the cost of belt or water pump replacement is the labor. You should invest in a new belt. This rule also applies when you are changing a timing belt. You should think about having the water pump replaced simultaneously. If the pump can be near the end of its anticipated life cycle, you will put away on the cost of the second service with a high labor cost.
Your car's timing belt is responsible for maintaining the precision that's essential to your engine's functions. Essentially, it coordinates the rotations of the camshaft and crankshaft so the engine's valves and pistons move in sync. The expected lifespan of your timing belt is definitely specific to your car and engine configuration, generally between 60,000 and 100,000 miles.
The manufacturer's recommended intervals are a safe guideline; you almost certainly won't need to substitute your belt any earlier [source: Allen]. However, if you are approaching your assistance interval and also have doubts about the belt's condition, you may as well obtain it replaced just a little early. It'll be less costly than waiting until after the belt breaks.
Why is it vital that you replace the timing belt on such a strict routine? The belt is usually a synthetic rubber strap which has fiber strands for power. It has the teeth to avoid slipping, which fit into the grooves on the end of the camshaft and crankshaft. It's a simple part for this kind of an important function, so when it snaps, factors get a lot more difficult. Unlike many car parts that steadily lose work as they wear out, a timing belt basically fails. If the belt breaks or a few teeth strip, the end result is the same. About a minute, your car will be running perfectly; the next minute, it will not. You're in trouble if your car comes with an "interference engine," where the valves are in the road of the pistons. If the camshaft or crankshaft moves independently within an interference engine, you will have at least one valve/piston collision. The fragile valves will bend, and you will be faced with a costly repair.
It's easy to verify the belt for indications of premature wear -- simply locate it in the engine bay (usually under a plastic material or metal shield that should be easy to remove) and examine it for drying, fraying and discoloration.
You can replace the timing belt yourself should you have access to the necessary equipment. In some cars, it's a straightforward procedure -- take away the engine covers and shrouds, fall into line the camshaft and crankshaft, slip off the aged belt, and slip on the new one. Occasionally, though, it's a lot more complicated. For example, the timing belt might loop through a engine mount, in which case the mount would have to be removed to access the belt. You'd need an engine hoist or stand to safely remove and replace the mount
Remember that one in this work, such as improperly turning the engine yourself or failing woefully to coordinate the shafts, will cause the same damage as a snapped belt.
The timing belt keeps the camshaft and crankshaft turning at the correct rate. The crankshaft movements pistons up for compression and exhaust cycles, while the pistons move down for power and intake cycles. According to the automobile make, a timing belt will also run the drinking water pump, essential oil pump and injection pump. The camshaft regulates the starting and closing of the valves for intake and exhaust. The valves must open at the correct time to allow fuel to enter the chamber and close to allow for compression. If the timing routine is off, fuel might not enter the cylinder or could escape through an open exhaust valve. If the valves aren't fully closed during compression, the majority of the engine’s power will be lost.
Many car owners may wonder how often to displace a timing belt. As technology provides improved, many manufacturers recommend intervals up to 100,000 kilometers. To be safe you should check what the vehicle’s manufacturer recommends and stay within that mileage. Faulty timing belt symptoms include a loss of power, loss of fuel economy, misfiring and engine vibration. Timing belt noise is no longer one of the most visible indicators of potential belt failing. When the vehicles had timing chains they would become very noisy as they loosened and started to chatter. Now that vehicle manufacturers are employing belts you are less inclined to hear when it turns into loose or cracks. Belts can create a mild chatter sound but nothing compared to the noises of a timing chain.
You can also answer fully the question of when to replace a timing belt if you are having other work done that requires the removal of the timing belt cover and belt. In most automobiles, the belt must be removed if the drinking water pump must be replaced. Reinstalling a used belt is not a good idea. The belt will have stretched and getting the timing set exactly right is difficult. Nearly all the cost of belt or drinking water pump replacement may be the labor. You should invest in a new belt. This rule also applies when you are replacing a timing belt. You should consider having the drinking water pump replaced at the same time. If the pump is usually close to the end of its anticipated life cycle, you will save on the price of the next service with a high labor cost.