You may be wondering what a timing belt is before asking yourself what will happen to your car after it snaps. A timing belt, also referred to as a cam belt, is a continuous rubber loop with ridges on it. The loop's main purpose is to make internal combustion engines run continuously. It harmonizes the rotations of the crankshaft(controls pistons) and the camshaft(controls valves)
To simply put it, the timing belt balances the timing of closing and opening of valves with up-and-down motion of the pistons.
Why is a Timing Belt Important?
A snapped cam belt can damage your car's engine within no time. If it breaks while you're driving, the camshaft will stop turning as the crankshaft continues to spin at 1000 rotations per minute. Consequently, the pistons will continue to fall and rise in their cylinders and strike closed valves.
If such an incident occurs, the valves, pistons, and cylinder heads get damaged. Additionally, the destruction may be virtually instantaneous since the incident happens quickly.
The damage can, in turn, trigger serious engine malfunction that may require expensive replacements or repairs. However, you can prevent all these problems by knowing how often the belt needs replacement.
Tale Tell Signs Your Car Needs a New Timing Belt
You can easily tell when your cam belt is defective, especially if you're well-versed with engine parts. However, you can still get a mechanic to do an inspection to determine if the belt is working effectively. Here're indicators your car requires a timing belt replacement.
- Oil leaks from the front of the motor
- Engine misfires
- Ticking noises from the engine
- Abnormal fume and smoke emissions
- The engine fails to start
When Should You Replace Your Car's Timing Belt?
You can scan through your vehicle's manufacturer manual to find recommendations on when the belt needs to be changed. However, you can consult a repairs expert to offer you the necessary advice if you don't have the manual. Most vehicle mechanics propose replacing your timing belt after your car covers between 60,000 and 100,000 miles.
If you need timing belt replacement, we invite you to bring your vehicle to KAMS Auto Service Center today!