Your vehicle is filled with over 10,000 parts working congruently to keep you safe and get you wherever you’re going. 

Some of those parts remain in our awareness. We know: 

• Tires need balancing and replacing
• Oil needs changing
• It takes gasoline for a car to operate
• Brake pads give us the braking power to stop and control the car

Other parts are a little more vague. 

The timing belt may be something you’ve heard of, but what does it do? How important is it in your vehicle’s operation? 

And what happens if your timing belt wears out?

What is a timing belt?

If you look at a timing belt, it seems like a simple piece of equipment. It appears to be nothing more than a reinforced rubber band with teeth. Don’t let its looks fool you. It has a very important job in the operation of your vehicle. 

The timing belt allows your vehicle’s engine to operate. It connects the crankshaft to the camshaft, and plays a vital role in allowing pistons and valves to open and close. The teeth located on the inner side of the belt synchronize the opening and closing of the engine’s valves. As the crankshaft turns, the timing belt moves into motion. It turns the camshaft, opens or closes each valve, and allows the pistons to move freely up and down. 

Timing belts need to be strong and sturdy to take on this much wear and tear each day. Yet like every other part of your vehicle, eventually, it wears out. 

As a timing belt gets closer to end-of-life, you have one of two options.

1. Replace the timing belt before it breaks and causes damage. 

2. Wait for the timing belt to break, causing potentially catastrophic damage. 

If a timing belt breaks, the entire process grinds to a halt. The valves won’t close properly, which allows the pistons to no longer work as designed. If they shoot up and bang against a valve, it causes immediate damage to the engine. Just how much damage determines whether it’s a complete engine replacement. 

Replacement is a much better solution. Manufacturers have suggested guidelines for how long your timing belt will last. In general, timing belts need replacing about every 70,000 to 100,000 miles – check your owner’s manual for specific recommendations. Replacement costs will vary between vehicles, but the price will be substantially less than if your timing belt breaks. 

Warning signs your timing belt is going bad

Timing belts are strong and highly efficient. But like every part of your vehicle, they will eventually wear out. 

Luckily, a timing belt provides indicators that it’s reaching end-of-life. 

Engine misfires – the timing belt has a series of teeth that keep it moving well. As those teeth wear down and possibly disappear, the connections won’t operate smoothly. You may hear it as a repetitive clicking noise coming from inside the engine. 

Smoke – as the belt wears down, it makes the entire operation less efficient. As gasoline moves into and around the system, it may not burn inside the chambers completely. This will impact the exhaust system. If you start the vehicle and you see smoke coming from the exhaust pipe, it’s a clear indicator of incorrect fuel consumption. While it could arise from several things, a mechanic should inspect the timing belt. 

Trouble starting – the timing belt is the pulley system to keep the engine operational. If the timing belt isn’t doing its job, and isn’t rotating efficiently, you’ll notice how well your engine starts. If the belt slips on the camshaft, it causes the engine cylinders to open and close at the wrong times. It causes a desynchronization within the starting system. 

Belt inspection – whether you open the hood regularly or bring it in for regular inspections, checking the timing belt can alert you to potential problems. As it ages, it starts to crack. You can see these cracks running through the timing belt. Another sign is small fragments may chip away and fall off. You can sometimes see these lying in the engine compartment. 

Oil leak – another common sign is an oil leak near the timing belt cover. This cover is secured by nuts and bolts, which can wiggle loose over time. You may notice oil in or around the area. 

Is there any warning before the timing belt breaks?

While you may notice any of the above as a timing belt wears out, the unfortunate part is a timing belt can break without any warning. 

Timing belts are under a lot of stress as they go through day to day motion. It stretches and moves, rotating around the engine. 

Think of a rubber band as you play with it repeatedly. If it’s older, and the rubber is more brittle, it may break with no warning at all. 

Your timing belt works in a similar way. If it’s overstretched, overheats, or simply reaches its end-of-life, it will snap and break. 

While you can watch for changes in your vehicle’s operation, you should also pay attention to manufacturer’s guidelines. Err on the edge of caution. If you’ve reached suggested time limits, it benefits you to replace your timing belt on your terms. 

Your timing belt is a workhorse. It works flawlessly, day after day, until a problem begins. The end result can be catastrophic to your engine, and painful to your wallet. 

If you notice any sign of a potential problem with your timing belt, or know it’s reaching the end of its life, schedule an inspection today. 

It may take time and energy to fix it, and be a punch to your budget, but it is better than the alternative. 

We’ll inspect your vehicle, give you your options, and help you make an informed decision. 

Is your timing belt working? 

When you own a car, you have some idea of what routine maintenance means. You know to watch the gas gauge because the car won’t go without gasoline. You understand that periodic oil changes are necessary to ensure your vehicle stays operational.

But for other parts on a car, it can get a little murkier. You may have heard of the timing belt before, but how long is it supposed to last? And what does it do anyway?

A timing belt is designed to ensure everything in the engine runs smoothly. It helps keep you safe while you navigate the road. 

Like other parts, it’s critical to pay attention to the health of the timing belt. If a severe problem occurs while you’re driving, it can put you and those around you at risk. 

What is a timing belt?

When you think of a belt, imagine something wrapping around something else. You might include a belt to accessorize your clothing as you dress for the day. 

A timing belt works in much the same way. It harnesses all of the internal moving parts of the engine together. It can also power the water pump, oil pump, and injection pump. 

A timing belt is made from rubber with hard teeth that interlock with the cogwheel of the crankshaft and camshaft. It synchronizes the movement between the two, ensuring that the engine intake and exhaust valves operate correctly. 

If the intake valves open too early, it can release too much fuel-air mixture into the system. This can lead to poor combustion, and limit power coming from the engine. If the exhaust valves open too early, the combustion chamber loses pressure which causes less power from the engine. If any parts operate out of sync, they risk damage as they collide. 

Timing belt, timing chain, what’s the difference? 

Timing belts and timing chains perform the same function. Without proper function, your engine would cease to run. 

As the name suggests, the main difference between them is what they are made of. A timing chain is made from metal, whereas a timing belt is made of composite material, usually resin or rubber, and synthetic thread. 

Timing chains were first developed back in the 1940s and remained the standard in vehicles into the 1960s. Reliable rubber wasn’t the norm, which made most internal parts made from metal. As time went on, rubber became more versatile and durable, which made it more practical to incorporate into a vehicle. It made the timing belt cheaper, lighter, and easier to handle. 

However, rubber isn’t as durable as metal. In comparison, metal almost always outlasts rubber. This means you might be replacing rubber timing belts sooner than metal timing chains. To find out what your car has, you can check your owner’s manual for more information. 

Typically, timing belts have a lifespan of around 60,000 to 90,000 miles. Timing chains are expected to last the life of the car. All of this is based on normal operating conditions. 

Timing belts will be quieter than timing chains. The timing chain resembles a chain on a bicycle. It’s a sturdy metal device that will create a noticeable sound even if it’s operating correctly. That may not be a problem for some drivers, but it could be a problem if you buy a luxury car for a quiet ride. That’s where timing belts have the advantage. 

While failure isn’t something that happens a lot, there is a distinct difference between the two. If a timing belt fails, it means the valves might not be properly synced, causing pistons to crash into one another. The damage can quickly rise into thousands of dollars of repair work. When a timing chain breaks, the heavy metal pieces can cause extensive damage, sometimes requiring a new engine. 

For all that and more, it benefits you to pay attention to potential problems, recognize the early warning signs, and get it repaired before it fails. 

Signs it’s time to replace your timing belt 

Like other major parts on your vehicle, a bad timing belt will offer warning signals before failure. They can include:

Check engine light – the check engine light illuminates for many different reasons. Rather than guessing at what the problem may be, or worse, ignoring it altogether, bring your car in for a complete diagnostic test to make the necessary repairs. 

Noises – a bad timing belt can make a variety of noises, depending on what’s wrong. You may notice squealing or rubbing noises as the belt makes contact with other parts. You may hear a ticking noise coming from the engine compartment. It’s similar to a roulette wheel when you spin it. 

Oil – a good indicator of a bad timing belt can be with your regular oil changes. Timing chains are lubricated with motor oil. If it starts grinding against the gear, metal shavings can find their way into the oil. You’ll notice this when you change out the oil filter on your regular oil change. Timing belts have teeth on the inside that can wear down and break off. If they fall into the oil pan, they’ll clog the system. This prevents oil from circulating properly, leading to other problems such as your engine overheating. 

Misfiring – both the timing belt and chain are designed to maintain precise timing within the engine. If that timing is off, your engine won’t function properly. You’ll notice the engine misfires because the valves won’t open and close as they should, or the combustion reaction isn’t calibrated correctly. 

Engine won’t start – if the timing belt is broken and falls off the gears, your car won’t start. You’ll hear the starter motor engage, but the engine itself won’t turn over. The only way to deal with this situation is to tow the car in for repair. 

Is your timing belt in need of repair? 

Whether your vehicle operates on a timing belt or chain, if you’re reading this, you may have a problem with the way your car operates. 

Before you let the condition worsen, schedule a maintenance visit today. It’s the best way to ensure you keep the repair bills to a minimum, and get your car back on the road as quickly as possible.