Timing belts - The Nitty-Gritty
Oh, no! My belt just broke! Will my pants fall down? Good news: No!
What is a timing belt, anyway? First of all, a timing belt is a source of mystery to
many folks. They find themselves wondering, "Does my car have a timing
belt? Where is it located? When should it be replaced? What happens if I don’t
replace it? If I don’t have one, what do I have?"
The timing belt is one of
many crucial parts of the engine. It is a black, circular rubber belt, with a
specific number of teeth. The belt’s
teeth are turned by gears which also have a specific (but different) number of teeth.
This causes the belt to turn the internal engine parts together in
synchronicity. It ‘times’ the internal moving parts of the engine and keeps the
valves from hitting the pistons. It also makes sure the fuel, air and spark are
delivered at the proper times to make the engine run. Some belts turn oil pumps and coolant pumps. There are even cars that have more than one timing belt. The
belt moves, turning the gears, which in turn, turn other internal engine parts.
Some vehicles do not have a
timing belt (mostly found in older cars), but all engines must be 'timed'. This
is accomplished by different methods, such as a timing chain, or by gears.
Why not wait until it breaks – then replace it? Because, although your pants won't fall down when
your belt breaks, the car’s engine will stop running. That's right. Your car
will stop. Believe me; this type of
event never happens at the perfect place or the perfect time. (For example: Anywhere
on Highway 17.)
When should I replace my timing belt? Recommended maintenance intervals for the timing belt
vary (from 60,000 to 105,000 miles) depending on manufacturer and
type of engine. Most belts last for their designated lifetime – as long as all related
components last, including belt tensioner(s), idler pulley(s), water pump, and
miscellaneous oil seals. In other words, the components related to the belt need
servicing and/or replacing at the same time the belt is replaced. Otherwise,
the new belt may fail prematurely due to oil contamination or just mechanical
failure. Yes, it is important to repair those oil leaks!
I did not do this maintenance, my belt broke and my
car stopped. What's the big deal? Once
it breaks other dreadful things can happen. For example, if your car has an
"interference engine", the pistons hit the valves - causing them to
bend; bent valves = broken engine = big dent in pocket book. Your entire engine
will require dis-assembly and all the parts that got bent will need to be
replaced.
Water Star Motors recommends
that you avoid this potential major engine repair by attending to regular
maintenance: simply replace your timing belt according to the recommended
schedule. And save hundreds of dollars in potential future labor costs by
having the related components serviced at the same time a new belt is
installed!
I need to find out about my timing belt! What now? Call your local professional auto repair shop like
Water Star Motors 831-457-0996. We look forward to researching your needs and
providing you with the information and service that will resolve your automotive problem(s).
