Avandacar – The timing belt has a crucial role in every vehicle. As your vehicle’s engine depends on the timing belt to keep in sync, it’s responsible for ensuring that everything is running smoothly throughout the road. As a result, timing belt replacement can be a crucial maintenance procedure. If you have a car, you should know how its timing belt operates and when you should replace it.
About Timing Belt
Timing belt maintains all of a car engine’s moving elements in rhythm. It may also power the injection, water, as well as oil pumps. A timing belt is constructed from rubber with strong teeth that interlock between the cogwheels on the camshafts as well as the crankshaft. This aids in coordinating the motions of the various sections.
Another crucial job of the timing belt is to guarantee that the intake of the engine alongside valves for exhaust open and close at the correct moment using pistons. If the camshaft and crankshaft do not operate together, it indicates that something is not right with the car. If intake valves open prematurely, it is due to an excessive amount of fuel-air combination entering the engine chamber of combustion. This can cause power outages.
Read also How to Replace a Car’s Serpentine Belt.
When is the best time for timing belt replacement?
The timing belt must be replaced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations in the car’s manual. Because each vehicle model is unique, the lifespan of the timing belt will change. However, replacement of the timing belt is recommended every 60,000 – 100,000 miles. The manufacturer’s manual has accurate information and instructions on ‘when should I update the timing belt’.
As a timing belt is constructed of rubber, it will eventually wear out and become damaged. If the timing belt fails, the car’s engine stops functioning and the various parts may be out of rhythm. This might severely harm your car’s engine.
If you do not change your timing belt in the prescribed interval, your vehicle may suffer from severe engine failure or cracked valves. This may be risky for both you and other drivers. Avoid paying an excessive amount by replacing your timing belt according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
How to Replace the Timing Belt?
To complete this operation smoothly, a fundamental grasp of the vehicle engine system is required. If you are unskilled or lack expertise, we recommend that you contact the local auto service provider. Yet if you possess perfect understanding and prefer mending things on your own, check out the process below!
Get an Appropriate Replacement Timing Belt
Learn about timing belt specifications for your vehicle by reading the manufacturer’s manual. If it isn’t mentioned in your vehicle’s manual, visit your local car parts store and get the part that’s appropriate for your vehicle. They will verify the model number as well as the year of production before assisting you ahead. It is critical to have the proper replacement timing belt for your vehicle to experience a secure ride.
Gaskets
While you’re purchasing the new timing belt, you may as well acquire some new gaskets along with adhesives. The dealer will tell you which of them will work best for your vehicle.
Disconnect The Car’s Battery
To avoid catastrophic electric shocks, unplug the negative battery connection from the terminal while operating. You don’t need to remove the whole battery; only interrupting the circuit will protect you from dangerous shocks. Ensure to input a code to reactivate your electrical gadgets, such as the radio, once you reconnect the batteries later.
Remove Alternator Belt
It’s a tiny belt that sits on the timing belt’s top. To generate a slack, loose the nuts and remove the belt. Yet, in certain vehicles, you may need to take out the serpentine belt as it gets in the way.
Remove Accessories
The timing belt is equipped with a variety of attachments. Such as an air conditioning compressor as well as a power steering pump. Loosen the nuts and remove all of the accessories to avoid pressurizing the connections. If not done correctly, it can lead to plenty of problems afterwards.
Distributor Cap Removal
If the unit includes a distributor cap, remove it. This might include removing some difficult clips that need the use of screws. Be sure you remove them carefully so you can reattach them later.
Remove Screws and Bolts
Remove all screws and nuts that keep the timing covering in position. Remove the lid fully after the nuts unscrewed.
Check the Alignment
Check the camshaft as well as crankshaft alignment. Check that the shaft’s heads are in line by using dots/lines on the pulley. The matching lines must be in the proper location.
Avoid Leakage
Make sure the area you’ll be working in remains leak-proof and clear of water or oil leaks.
Keep The Belt Tensioner in Place
For removing the broken timing belt, loosen the nuts that keep the belt tensioner in place, producing enough slack for simple removal.
New Belt Placement
Install the replacement belt and adjust the torque based on the manual. If you experience problems with your cambelt, contact a car mechanic.
Reassemble All Parts
Replace every removed part, do timing belt replacement, and restart the engine to check proper fit with no engine damage.
