Timing belt: When it needs Replacement
Perhaps the most important consumable part of an engine is the timing belt, as, apart from the valuable work it performs, damage to the belt can be disastrous for the engine itself.
The timing belt in an internal combustion engine performs a particularly important task as it connects the crankshaft to the camshafts and thus gives motion to the latter.
The camshafts in turn give movement to the intake and exhaust valves, and in this way, the belt at the same time timings the movement of these parts for the correct combustion of the fuel mixture.
As an expendable but extremely important part for the operation of the engine, the timing belt has a prescribed margin of use, with its life time decreasing as the engine runs and its wear increases. Of course, the way you drive and the behavior of the person sitting behind the wheel play a role in this. The timing belt usually also drives a car’s oil and water pumps.
Depending on the manufacturer and model, the timing belt must be replaced every 80,000–150,000 kilometers, as after the kilometers set for its change, the company cannot guarantee the durability of this part.
With use and the passage of time, the timing belt wears out and ages since one of its main construction materials is rubber. So it can no longer time the movement of the camshafts and the crankshaft with the same precision, and this has consequences for the operation of the engine.
In fact, if the timing belt breaks, the consequences for the engine—especially for the valves and pistons that may come into contact with each other—can be catastrophic, and the repair of the engine can range from particularly expensive to unprofitable.
Although it is one of the most expensive spare parts, with a cost that usually starts at 100 euros, we must never neglect the replacement of the timing belt for the above reasons and proceed with it according to the manufacturer’s instructions and the maintenance book of our car.
Another reason why we should not delay the replacement of the belt when its time has come according to the instructions of its manufacture is that in the event that it breaks, it is done without warning while the motor is in operation, which can cause additional damage to whatever pumps it drives.
You can visually observe the timing belt and check the condition and “health” of its teeth. At the same time, as the belt ages and loses its elasticity, it makes more noise during operation.
Also, an indication of a belt reaching the end of its life can be the delayed start of the motor after prolonged operation of the starter. This is because the camshafts are not timed with the required precision, resulting in a mixture that ends up in the combustion chamber that is not exactly what it should be.
