Timing belts can be tricky and destructive. Your automobile either has a timing belt or a timing chain. Check your owner’s manual to see which, and if it does have a timing belt, have that changed at or before the proper kilometer milestone. If you push the timing belt beyond its limits, you’ll end up with some very expensive auto repairs. Nobody wants that, so let’s talk about timing belts and why you should let Central Auto Care change yours when it’s due to be replaced.
What Timing Belts Do
Your vehicle cannot run without a timing belt. This rubber belt fits in the camshaft – its teeth to be exact – and it rotates the camshaft so the camshaft can open and shut the valves. As the valves open and shut, they move the pistons up and down. As you can imagine, this is a delicate dance of moving parts, and the timing belt ensures everything moves exactly when it should to avoid disaster.
When Timing Belts Break
If the timing belt is not replaced when it should be, it will wear down and break. When this happens, the camshaft’s, valves’, and pistons’ timings are thrown off completely. Rather than working with each other, the parts work against each other and cause serious engine damage. Once the timing is off, the valves crash into the pistons, which damages them and your engine’s cylinder walls.
Unfortunately, the valves are damaged in the process, as well. They usually take the brunt of the impact and what you end up with is an engine mess that requires an extensive rebuild. Depending on how your engine is designed, the damage can extend beyond the cylinder walls, pistons, and valves, and don’t forget about the timing belt and the belt tensioner. A broken timing belt really is as bad as it sounds.
Change the Belt Regularly
The cost to change a timing belt isn’t cheap, but it is much cheaper than rebuilding your engine. As we mentioned above, your vehicle’s owner’s manual will tell you when you should have the timing belt changed, so plan in your budget to do that without fail. Generally, timing belts last from 100,000 to 160,000 kilometres, but this depends on your vehicle’s make, model, and year.
When it’s time, bring your automobile into Central Auto Care. We’ll change the belt before it can break and give you a migraine-sized headache. Our shop is located in beautiful Okotoks, AB, and you can schedule an appointment by calling 403-995-4676.