The most expensive routine maintenance task needed for many autos is changing a timing belt. Here’s how to make sure you don’t shell out money on something you don’t require.
A timing belt change is dreaded. Nobody enjoys performing this pricey maintenance task. We have a decade or up to 100K miles when we finally bite the bullet and get it done before we have to worry about it once more. If you decide to trade or sell the car, the receipt from the finished job will be important to you. What if, though, you decide to purchase a used car that looks beautiful but needs maintenance right away? How do you know when the timing belt needs to be replaced?
Recently, a member of the CarTalk Community paid for a timing belt replacement only to learn that the vehicle had already received that service less than 20K miles earlier. Oops. That made us consider how this might have been prevented. It turns out that there is a simple way to tell most of the time.
Every owner of a vehicle should keep a record of all services performed on their car and retain that data carefully along with the original invoices. The truth is that such receipts are frequently misplaced or thrown away before the car even leaves the shop in a nation where parents can’t even keep track of children in the backseat.
We questioned whether there was a trick or hint that may indicate the belt was finished. Mark explained, “Occasionally one of the covers can be removed, and the engine can be spun manually to check the brand of the belt and to determine if it appears to be new or old. That can be completed in around 30 minutes. Otherwise, it might be difficult to be certain. This procedure also hides the fact that the water pump replacement, which is typically done at the same time as the belt repair, was carried out.
In This Article...
Is it possible to tell if the timing chain has been altered?
Engine misfires, metal shavings in the oil, and rattling noises from the engine while it is idle are typical indications of a broken timing chain.
Can a timing belt be visually inspected?
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.
Timing belts for Toyota cars last how long?
Timing belts are important, but unless your Toyota owner’s handbook specifically advises it, they don’t need to be replaced on a regular basis. Between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, some automakers advise changing the timing belt, while others don’t. Many timing belts available now can last 100,000 miles or more before they need to be replaced.
Dropping Oil Pressure
The loss of oil pressure in the engine is among the worst things that can occur if your belt breaks. The only way to fix a total engine failure, which requires a complete rebuild, is to pull over as soon as you sense a dramatic reduction in oil pressure and turn off the car. In essence, a malfunctioning belt can cause the camshaft’s timing to be off, which can cause the camshaft to break into pieces and fall into the oil pan. If you don’t get your car to the mechanic in time, this is the worst-case scenario.
Misfiring
Timing belt failure frequently causes misfiring. In this instance, the belt slides away from the gears and lands on the camshaft, causing an early cylinder opening and closing. Even though it can seem innocuous, if the belt is not changed and frequent misfires continue, your engine could suffer long-term damage.
Rough Idling
Each timing belt includes a series of tiny teeth that help it grasp the gears and facilitate the spinning of other engine parts. However, as belts get older, they can start to lose their teeth, which might then fall into the gears and cause the engine to idle rough. Eventually, the belt’s deterioration may cause stalling.
Smoke
Another indication of a failed timing belt can be excessive exhaust flowing from your tailpipe. The belt is in charge of the camshaft’s rotation and the cylinders’ movement, which also regulates the air intake and exhaust. This process is disrupted when the belt is failing, producing a lot of exhaust and smoke. Therefore, if you observe an unusual amount of heavier smoke escaping from your exhaust, it is a good indicator that something may be awry with the timing belt.
Broken Pistons or Valves
When your timing belt fully fails and snaps, that is the worst-case scenario. When this occurs, the crankshaft and camshaft stop working together. Instead, the valves and pistons will probably make touch with one another, harming the system as a whole.
Will my engine be destroyed if my timing belt breaks?
First of all, how could you possibly predict when your timing belt will fail? Your car cannot function at all without a timing belt, which is really fairly basic. The automobile will quickly break down if the belt breaks while you’re driving, and your engine could sustain extremely catastrophic damage. In order to take action before it is too late, you need to be on the lookout for warning signs and symptoms of a weakening timing belt. These include your engine making loud clicking or screaming noises, misfiring, and not starting at all.
What occurs if the timing belt is placed incorrectly?
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.
How long does a timing belt last?
According to various schedules, including data provided by the manufacturers, a timing belt typically has to be replaced after 7 to 10 years, or between 60,000 and 105,000 miles, whichever comes first.
A timing belt wears out due to what?
2. A heavy load
Excessive load is almost certainly the root of the problem if the timing belt teeth are shearing. Excessive load or shock loads can also lead to tensile failure, and even excessive tooth wear, though the latter is less frequent. You’ll need to redesign the drive to fix this issue.
3. A Belt That Is Not Tightened
Ratcheting, or tooth skipping, is likely caused by your belt being under-tensioned. Use a tension gauge to adjust the proper tension on those timing belts since under-tensioning can also lead to excessive or uneven tooth wear and excessive driving noise.
4. Poor drive architecture
You may have a poor drive structure if your drive vibrates excessively or your timing belts appear to be stretched. You could try strengthening the drive structure to solve the issue.
5. Worn or damaged pulleys
Timing pulley wear or damage will significantly shorten belt life. Belt wear and/or damage are both results of worn teeth. The belt might be cut by nicks or gouges. Inspect pulleys for wear and replace them if necessary.
Debris is the most commonly disregarded source of issues for your timing belt and pulley. The materials of the belt might be harmed by oil and abraded by dirt on the teeth. Dust and rust can be removed by using a hard brush. Eliminate grease and oil by wiping. Any of the aforementioned causes of timing belt failure, including debris, can be accounted for, so clear those pulleys and install a shield on that drive!
Any other cause of failure should be regarded as abnormal. A timing belt will eventually fail due to tooth loss in what is considered normal use. Check your belts and timing pulleys by consulting our Timing Belt Troubleshooting Guide for a complete list of potential faults and the appropriate course of action.
Can you detect if the timing belt needs to be replaced?
Examining the belt directly is another technique to determine whether your cambelt needs to be replaced. The belt’s underside will look glossy or glazed if it is getting worn. This indicates that the rubber is becoming harder and will no longer provide the belt the suppleness it requires. Some symptoms, such fraying or cracking, are considerably more evident. Such damage to belts calls for quick replacement. Pressing a fingernail or the tip of a screwdriver gently on the belt is another technique to check. The rubber is getting too stiff if the pressure does not leave a mark.
It is advisable to have a professional perform a visual and physical examination because the cambelt can be challenging to access.
A timing belt’s lifespan is 200 000 miles.
That concludes our examination of the timing belt’s nature, operation, and significance. Can a timing belt travel more than 200 000 miles? Not at all. And to be honest, unless you have a junker that you don’t mind giving up, you really shouldn’t try this out in person. Expect severe engine damage if you continue to drive your automobile with a timing belt that is worn out, installed incorrectly, or otherwise flawed.
The cost of replacing your timing belt is by no means a cheap one. You’ll have to pay several hundred dollars, or in some cases nearly or more than a thousand. But this is little compared to the $2,000, $3,000, or even higher needed to rebuild a broken timing belt-related engine that has failed. Who would have thought that this tiny piece of rubber could fail and give you such heartache?
How frequently do timing belts break?
You understand the significance of routine scheduled maintenance for your car as a car owner. The inner workings of your car must therefore be understood, as must the frequency of replacement for each component, such as the timing belt in your car.
What is a timing belt?
You may want to start by wondering what a timing belt is and what it does. The timing belt in your car regulates the crankshaft and camshaft rotation of the engine as well as the opening and closing of the engine valves that let gasoline and air in and out. In essence, the timing belt synchronizes the engine’s operations, igniting the fuel in the combustion chamber.
When to replace your vehicle’s timing belt
It’s critical to get the timing belt updated on a regular basis because it performs such a crucial function. Most of the time, there are no warning signs that a timing belt is being worn. It frequently just breaks. Because of this, the majority of manufacturers advise replacing your vehicle’s timing belt every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. To find out what is advised for your particular model, consult your owner’s manual.
Instead of waiting until your automobile breaks, it is more cost-effective and secure to replace the timing belt. In fact, replacing your timing belt after it breaks can cost more than twice as much. It goes without saying that it’s preferable to prevent problems with your vehicle.
When should the timing chain on a Toyota be changed?
Unless there is a specific issue, the timing chain typically needs to be replaced between 80,000 and 120,000 miles. In automobiles with higher mileage, chain problems are frequent.
Will a timing belt provide an error code?
Multiple check engine light codes could be saved in your car’s computer system if the timing belt snaps or skips a tooth. The check engine light will then come on as a result.