The timing belt, also known as the timing belt, is one of the most important drive parts in an engine. It transmits the rotational movement of the crankshaft to the camshaft via several deflection rollers. This causes the valves to supply air to the combustion chamber to open and close. However, it can happen that the timing belt breaks without warning. To prevent this, car owners must check it regularly and take seriously the vehicle manufacturers' recommendations regarding the prescribed change interval. Here are tips on how to prevent the timing belt from breaking.
What happens if the timing belt breaks?
The belt drive principleis already very old and it is used to drive almost all auxiliary units in motor vehicles such as the alternator or the hydraulic pump. The strap itself is made of durable rubber with a textile or steel cable insert. This allows very high torques to be transmitted. Timing belts are subjected to high thermal stress during operation and are subject to constant wear. As a precaution, their condition should be checked regularly so that irregularities and brittle areas can be identified in good time. If the timing belt breaks while driving, the valves can open at the wrong time and then hit the pistons shooting up, which could result in major engine damage.
When to change?
To avoid toothed belt cracks, replacement is necessary under the following circumstances: the maximum mileage has been reached or the belt is damaged.
The prescribed timing belt change intervals for different engines often depend on the mileage. The vehicle manufacturers recommend changing the timing belt after a certain mileage, which is usually between 60,000 and 120,000 kilometers, or after a maximum period of six years. However, the durability of the belt still depends on temperature fluctuations as well as a combination of belt type, engine variant and vehicle model.
Many car owners hesitate to change the timing belt because the maintenance costs can be too high. For the safe operation of the timing belt, various components are necessary that guide it and ensure the correct pre-tension. Tension pulleys, deflection pulleys, sealing rings and, in some vehicle models, the water pump also need to be changed.According to these expertsHowever, you should definitely not skimp on additional components because these are precisely tailored to the service life of a timing belt. If you don't want to risk major engine damage, a change is always a worthwhile investment.
ATiming belt breakprevent
Unfortunately, you can't hear a defective timing belt - unless it breaks at the moment. But you can see it quite well. Visually inspecting the timing belt is quick and easy, but is generally not something for novice drivers. You expose the timing belt in the car and see whether there are any cracks, wear or contamination. If a problem is discovered during regular checks, the timing belt must be changed in good time.
You can for the followingSymptomsKeep an eye out:
- Traces of wear on the smooth side (back) of the timing belt
- Transverse or longitudinal cracks
- Edge wear
- Missing “teeth” on tooth side
- Contamination and traces of oil
- Differences in the width of the straps
- Foreign bodies in the shoot, etc.
Even if the timing belt is still in perfect working order, it can break due to a defective tension pulley or failure of the deflection pulley. That's why you should also check the belt tensioner and its tension. Too high or too low a voltage leads to running noise. Visually check the tension pulley, deflection pulleys and toothed belt pulleys for any visible damage and to ensure that they are securely tightened.
The following generally applies: It is advisable to have the car inspected regularly and to adhere to the prescribed maintenance intervals. Changing the timing belt is one of the most important maintenance measures.
