It does need some engine knowledge to replace a timing belt and water pump, so if you don’t have much expertise working under the hood, we advise leaving it to the experts. However, if you prefer making your own repairs and restorations, you can do it yourself and avoid paying hefty repair expenses in the process.
Starting with the tools you’ll need, we’ll walk you through the replacement of a timing belt and water pump step by step.
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What You’ll Need to Replace the Water Pump and Timing Belt
- Wrench socket set
- tools for driving screws, such as Philips and slot drive
- jar or bucket (for collecting coolant)
- bags made of plastic and a permanent marker (for labelling nuts, bolts and parts you remove from the engine)
- Tip-Ex, white chalk, and white paint (for marking the cogs for simpler reassembly)
- new antifreeze/coolant
Step 1: Preparation
Get your car and work area ready first. Depending on your degree of experience, changing a timing belt and water pump can take anywhere from one to three hours, so make sure you have the time and space necessary. Before you begin, carry out the following:
- To reach the undercarriage beneath the engine, jack up the front of the automobile.
- Since coolant will spill out when you remove the water pump, place a bucket underneath it. To find the pump, see your car’s manual.
- Prepare all of your tools, and have bags and a pen on available to name and store the engine parts you remove.
- Before starting, make sure the engine is entirely cool.
- To stop the engine from spinning while you’re removing the timing belt, put the engine in drive and use the handbrake.
Step 2: Removing the Belts
You must first remove the fan belt and power steering belt because they are located next to the cover that protects the timing belt and water pump. To remove the belts, take the following actions:
How much does a Triton timing belt replacement cost?
Your Mitsubishi Triton’s timing belt needs to be replaced at the suggested intervals to keep it in good working condition.
Failure to do so may result in engine damage when the timing belt fails, which typically necessitates costly towing fees and significant repairs.
Although the expense of replacing the timing belt on your Mitsubishi Triton can come as a bit of a shock, replacing the engine is much more expensive.
If other engine parts need to be removed in order to access the timing belt, the cost of a replacement timing belt might rise to over $1500 on average.
When should a Triton timing belt be changed?
The timing chain is used in the Mitsubishi Triton instead of a timing belt. Your engine’s pistons and valves are governed by timing belts and chains, which also maintain the proper timing of the engine’s moving parts. Timing belts typically need to be replaced every 60,000 to 100,000 miles and are constructed of strong rubber.
How long does a timing belt replacement take?
Timing belt replacement is a pricey service. Depending on the vehicle, it is a complex, time-consuming process that can take 48 hours. However, repairing the timing belt before it breaks will avoid engine damage and ultimately cost you less money.
What are the warning signals of a failing timing belt?
Even though you might not pay much attention to it, your car’s timing belt is crucial to how it works mechanically. An internal engine part called the timing belt ensures that each cylinder fires at the proper moment by synchronizing the crankshaft and camshaft rotations. Near the front of the engine, under a timing cover, is where you’ll find your car’s timing belt. Because it’s probably made of high-quality rubber, it will eventually need to be changed. We’ll examine a few typical signs that your timing belt might need repair in this blog.
You Hear A Ticking Noise Coming From The Engine
Your timing belt may be significantly damaged if you hear a ticking sound emanating from the engine of your car. Your car’s timing belt is connected to the crankshaft and camshaft of the engine through a number of pulleys. The connecting rods of the engine, which are connected to the pistons inside the combustion chamber, provide power. The rocker arm assembly and cylinder head valves are controlled by the camshaft, which delivers gasoline to the combustion chamber. The exhaust manifold is the next point of exit for the released gases. Your car’s timing belt may start to twitch inside the engine when it begins to wear out. This can potentially be a symptom of low oil pressure.
Your Car’s Engine Won’t Turn Over
Your car’s engine won’t start or turn over properly if the timing belt is damaged or nonreplaceable. As a result, even though you might hear the starter motor turn on when you turn the key, it won’t fully ignite because the timing belt is what drives the crank and shaft. You won’t be able to operate your car at all if your timing belt breaks. The timing belt frequently fails when the car is in motion. Rocker arms, push rods, and valves on cylinder heads may sustain catastrophic damage as a result.
You Notice An Oil Leak Near The Motor
An oil leak is another typical indicator that your timing belt needs to be replaced. Your car may be experiencing an oil leak if you start to see it around the engine; these leaks frequently originate from the timing belt cover. A number of nuts and bolts may hold your timing belt cover in place, but it’s very possible that they could loosen over time. When the gasket between the engine block and timing cover deteriorates or cracks, an oil leak may also happen. This may cause your engine to overheat and necessitate a number of costly repairs.
You Experience Exhaust Issues
There may be a problem with your timing belt if your car’s exhaust has been releasing a lot more smoke than usual. Your engine may try to run under pressure by working harder than it should, which could result in expensive repairs down the road. This extra work causes your car to emit more emissions than it should.
Your Revs Start Acting Up
Your timing belt may be having problems if you’ve observed that your RPMs (revolutions per minute) have started to behave strangely. Your timing belt’s condition, including any missing teeth or a complete break, can have a significant impact on your car’s RPM meter.
Unfortunately, sometimes there are no overt indications that the timing belt in your car needs to be repaired. Because of this, highly regarded mechanics advise changing your timing belt every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. You can also look for the manufacturer’s advice in your owner’s manual.
What equipment is required to change a timing belt?
One of the more difficult servicing parts to change at home is the timing belt. We’ll go over the tools you’ll need and provide step-by-step directions for replacing your timing belt in this blog post.
It’s beneficial to ask yourself these questions before you start, regardless of whether you self-service your timing belt or leave your car at the shop.
- The timing belt may be damaged.
- Is the engine still able to run if the belt is damaged?
- Have you ever replaced the timing belt in your vehicle?
- Are the tension parameters in your service manual current?
How much does a Mitsubishi timing belt replacement cost?
Belts don’t cost a much by themselves. Since many pieces must be removed in order to reach the belt, labor is where the true expense lies. Your best chance is to shop about and compare prices, but be prepared to pay anything between $409 and $919. (including parts and labor).
Will my engine be destroyed if my timing belt breaks?
Your vehicle’s timing belt deteriorates and becomes degraded as it ages and accrues miles. Although changing a timing belt is a straightforward procedure, a worn-out timing belt that snaps can badly harm your engine and cost you thousands of dollars.
The camshaft and crankshaft are connected by a small rubber belt called the timing belt, which regulates when the valves open and close. Despite the fact that timing belts are made to be sturdy and resilient, they will ultimately wear out. When the belt snaps, the valves fail to close in time, resulting in instant engine damage from the pistons slamming into them.
Timing belt replacement is one of the routine auto maintenance procedures that the manufacturer advises. Typically, timing belt replacement should be performed every 70,000 to 110,000 miles. For more particular advice, consult your owner’s handbook. The cost of replacement varies depending on the vehicle, but it is always far less expensive than the cost of an engine repair.
Your car may sometimes show these symptoms if the timing belt is compromised:
- significant exhaust that is visible The fuel isn’t burning properly if there is thick smoke coming from the tailpipe, which could be a sign that the valves aren’t opening or shutting properly.
- Engine vibrations that seem odd
- The engine rhythm can be impacted by a stretched or toothless timing belt, which can make the car tremble or shake.
Timing belts can often fail without any preceding signs, so if your car needs a new timing belt, schedule it right away.
How can my timing belt be checked?
To check the belt, start by examining its exterior to determine if any teeny cracks are developing. The timing belt is an extremely durable rubber-covered metal-reinforced belt. The rubber ought to be largely smooth, without any cracks or missing sections. One or two minor cracks in the belt’s exterior lustrous covering are OK, but if the surface is heavily cracked, this may be a sign of significant wear. To examine the teeth, next slightly flip the belt over. This can be done at the distance from both pulleys that is the greatest. Even though you might not be able to actually “turn” the belt, you can steal a peek at its interior from all sides. Don’t conclude that you can just live with it as is for a time because even one fractured tooth might have disastrous results. Your timing belt may “jump the timing” even if it didn’t break because of the missing teeth on the back. If this occurs, your spark plugs and valves will suddenly stop moving in unison, and your engine won’t function at all or only poorly.
How much does a timing belt replacement cost in Australia?
Depending on the engine and kind of vehicle, replacing a timing belt in Australia often costs $500 to $1,000. Timing belt replacement is one of the priciest and time-consuming procedures a mechanic can provide, but failing to do so frequently results in costly and permanent engine damage.