With a broken timing belt, your automobile cannot operate. You won’t be able to drive at all by the time the belt snaps because the harm has already been done. The vehicle will need to be towed to an auto repair facility.
In This Article...
The timing belt is where, exactly?
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.
What signs might point to a broken timing belt?
To assist you in identifying the warning signals and bringing them to the notice of a qualified professional, we have listed the most typical symptoms of a deteriorating or broken timing belt.
You Hear Odd Noises Coming From The Engine
A malfunctioning timing belt might cause your engine to make the well-known “ticking noise.” If you check your oil and it is within a normal range, ask your mechanic to check your timing belt. This ticking sounds could also be an indication of low oil pressure within your engine.
Your Check Engine Light Is On And Flashing
If your check engine light is flashing, your automobile has detected an issue with the engine. Typically, these lights will indicate a CAM shaft/crank shaft correlation code for a timing belt failure or malfunction.
A mechanic knowledgeable in car maintenance can diagnose these codes at your neighborhood repair shop.
Your Car Starts Hard And Occasionally Misfires
The cylinders in the engine of your car may open and close out of sequence if your timing belt is faulty or worn out. You should change your timing belt right now because this could lead to an engine misfire.
You Notice A Loss Of Power And Your Car Runs Or Idles More Roughly Than Normal
Your timing belt is made from “teeth that engage gears as your engine’s moving components are rotated. Your automobile will start to slip gears if these teeth break or fall off. This can cause your engine to fail and stall.
In contrast, your timing belt “jump a tooth, resulting in a loss of power for your car. You’ll observe rough running, such as strange idling and a blinking check engine light.
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?
Toyota stopped using timing belts in what year?
Therefore, the timing belt or chain is in charge of synchronizing the crankshaft and camshaft of the engine. This enables smooth engine operation and prevents engine damage by enabling the pistons and valves to move at the proper timing. The engine cannot function properly and may possibly sustain significant internal engine damage if the timing belt or chain fails.
Over the years, Toyota has used both timing belts and chains in their vehicles. However, since 2005, Toyota has primarily used timing chains in their automobiles. Even though they can be noisier and require adequate maintenance, timing chains can survive for a very long time, so owners won’t need to replace them regularly. Timing belts, on the other hand, don’t need as much upkeep, but drivers must replace them more frequently after around 65,000 miles. Before 2005, Toyota mostly used the timing belt in its vehicles.
We hope the list above has made it easier for you to determine whether your Toyota has a timing chain or belt.
Before a timing belt breaks, is there a warning?
You should keep an eye out for certain telltale warning indications that your timing belt is likely to fail, such as ticking noises, difficulty starting the vehicle, piston misfires, exhaust smoke, excessive vibrations, and oil leaks.
Is it worthwhile to mend a damaged timing belt?
Explain what occurs when a timing belt breaks to help a consumer appreciate the value of a preventative timing belt repair. Basically:
The camshaft halts turning when a timing belt ruptures. Some of the engine valves are now stuck open as a result. The pistons, however, will continue to move. They will strike the trapped open valves in an interference engine. This may harm the piston and cylinder head, as well as bend or shatter valves. In essence, a damaged timing belt causes significant engine damage. In certain cases, replacing the entire engine is less expensive than repairing it.
Timing belt replacement is substantially less expensive in the long run than timing belt damage repair.
Can an engine be destroyed by a damaged timing belt?
We at Midwest Auto Care & Transmission Center are confident when we state that you never want the timing belt on your car to fail. A damaged engine from a broken timing belt could cost you thousands of dollars to fix. At the suggested mileage interval specified in your owner’s handbook, get the timing belt changed to ensure that this never occurs. Let’s elaborate on this and discuss timing belts.
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.
Can I change the timing belt on my own?
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.
What You’ll Need to Replace the Water Pump and Timing Belt
- a fresh water pump
- leather gloves
- a fresh timing belt
- Set of Allen keys
- Tip-Ex, white chalk, and white paint (for marking the cogs for simpler reassembly)
- jar or bucket (for collecting coolant)
- Wrench socket set
- tools for driving screws, such as Philips and slot drive
- bags made of plastic and a permanent marker (for labelling nuts, bolts and parts you remove from the engine)
- 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:
- Before starting, make sure the engine is entirely cool.
- Prepare all of your tools, and have bags and a pen on available to name and store the engine parts you remove.
- To reach the undercarriage beneath the engine, jack up the front of the automobile.
- To stop the engine from spinning while you’re removing the timing belt, put the engine in drive and use the handbrake.
- 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.
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:
- To access the timing case and crankshaft pulley, do the same with the power steering belt by moving it aside.
- The fasteners holding the alternator in place should be loosened. The fan belt can then be removed by lightly tapping it.
- Crankshaft pulley: Loosen. To access the engine and remove the bolt, you’ll need a long wrench arm.
How much does a timing belt repair cost?
The engine of your car cannot function without a timing belt. Timing belt preventative maintenance is far less expensive than waiting for it to break. O’Leary’s Automotive provides skilled mechanics who can assist if you need high-quality timing belt repair in Wilmington, North Carolina.
The camshaft and the crankshaft are two different types of shafts found in your engine. These shafts are made to start the engine cycle and deliver torque while controlling the pistons in the engines. The camshaft and crankshaft are controlled by grooves or teeth on the timing belt. This makes it possible for the engine valves to open and close precisely when necessary for efficient operation.
Timing belts comprised of chains and gears are used in some automobiles. Although these timing belts are more resilient, they need lubrication to function. The timing belts in many modern automobiles are comprised of a rubber composition. These timing belts tend to wear out more quickly but are quieter and more energy-efficient.
Warning Signs a Timing Belt Replacement is Needed
The majority of timing belts require replacement every 60,000 to 90,000 miles. Because it is crucial to the engine’s functionality, the timing belt acts inside the engine. Don’t put off changing the belt until it breaks. Your engine won’t start if your timing belt breaks.
You might observe one or more of the following if your timing belt is broken or worn out:
- damaged pistons or valves
- the engine’s smoke
- engine stalls
- lower oil pressure
- Rumbling or rough idling coming from the engine
Timing Belt Repair & Quality Auto Repair in Wilmington, NC
It is best to have a qualified, quality auto repair technician evaluate your car as soon as possible if you have encountered one or more of the aforementioned symptoms. Expect to pay between $300 and $500 for the service if your timing belt needs to be replaced. Many automobiles’ timing belts require some disassembly and reassembly since they are not always easily accessible. Smaller engines in economy cars result in less work. However, larger trucks, SUVs, or premium cars can take a lot longer.
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.