![]() Visual inspection shows damaged/worn timing belt/chain.Check engine light for cylinder misfire, crankshaft position, and/or camshaft position.If the timing belt breaks while the car is being driven or the engine is continually cranked over with a broken timing belt, this could cause serious internal engine damage including bent/broken valves, damaged pistons, and even damaged cylinder walls.Ĭommon Symptoms You Need to Replace Timing Belt In the best-case scenario, a broken timing belt will prevent the engine from running, although it will still crank over. What Happens If You Don’t Replace The Timing Belt? This is definitely a repair you don’t want to procrastinate with as a broken timing belt/chain can lead to serious internal engine damage that can be far more costly to repair than just having the timing belt replaced. Be sure to check your owner’s manual or use the free FIXD app for accurate maintenance schedules on your specific vehicle, though. Most automakers recommend replacing the timing belt every 30,000 miles or so, while some timing chains are designed to last the life of the engine. How Often Should You Replace The Timing Belt?ĭOHC engine with the valve cover and one camshaft removed. ![]() Some engines use the timing belt to drive the water pump, so replacement of the water pump will obviously include a new timing belt.ĭOHC (double overhead cam) engine with a timing chain The timing belt is located at the front of the engine, so replacement can require complete removal of components such as the serpentine/drive belts, water pump, etc. Even if the timing belt is just a single tooth off, the engine will not run properly. For that reason, this is definitely one of the top 10 jobs you should outsource. Physically replacing timing belt belt isn’t that difficult of a job, but ensuring that the engine is in perfect time after the belt is replaced is what makes this an expert level repair. Some vehicles use a metal timing chain (shown below) or even timing gears to keep the engine in time, but all of them serve the same purpose. The aptly named timing belt is a rubber belt that keeps the engine in time by syncing the crankshaft and the camshaft(s). The engine in your vehicle requires exact amounts of fuel, air, and compression and all must be delivered to the combustion chamber at precise intervals. The amount of money you might save doing this job yourself is far outweighed by the high cost of a replacement engine or engine rebuild if something goes wrong. Keep in mind: Do not attempt this repair unless you consider yourself a very advanced or expert DIYers. ![]() Replacing the timing belt is a serious job that should be left to very advanced DIYers (or the professionals), but performing this job yourself will save you a considerable amount of money.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |