6 Signs of a Faulty Timing Belt

The timing belt is placed in front of the engine of your car. It is constructed of a durable rubber substance with nylon-reinforced cords. The timing belt's lifespan can be extended in this manner.

The timing belt is put under a lot of stress when moving within the engine, and as a result, it wears out rapidly. As a result, the timing belt will need to be replaced on a regular basis as indicated by the car manufacturer.

You may do a lot of expensive damage to your engine if you let your timing belt wear out and don't replace it on time. Choose a garage with competent vehicle technicians when looking for car garages in Reading to book your car in for timing belt replacement online, as one tiny error can cause catastrophic engine damage.

What is the Function of a Timing Belt?

Your car's engine runs on timing belts. They link the crankshaft of your engine to the camshaft and are responsible for managing the pistons and valves in your car. The timing belt is a strengthened rubber band with teeth or notches on the inner side that accurately synchronises the opening and shutting of the engine's valves, to put it simply.

The crankshaft turns, which sets the timing belt in action. The timing belt then spins the camshaft, allowing the pistons to rise and fall by opening and closing each valve. Four separate stages exist in a four-stroke engine, for example:

·         Intake

·         Compression

·         Combustion

·         Exhaust

Air and fuel are sucked into the cylinders during the intake phase. Intake valves open and exhaust valves close during this period.

The air and fuel are combined, compressed, and ignited by spark plugs during the compression and combustion stages. All of the valves are closed during these two periods.

The exhaust phase is the final step, in which the exhaust valve expels any residual air or fuel. During this time, the intake valves are closed, and the exhaust valves are open. The timing belt is in charge of all valves opening and closing, as well as piston timing, during each phase. The timing belt guarantees that each action is carried out in the correct order.

Symptoms of a Malfunctioning Timing Belt

The following symptoms may arise if your timing belt is damaged or worn out. If you notice any of these symptoms, search for garages in Reading online and have a qualified car technician or mechanic evaluate the timing belt and, if required, replace it:

1.      Rough Engine Idling - Timing belt teeth grab gears as they spin various engine parts and components, causing rough engine idling. If these teeth begin to flake off or become brittle, the timing belt will begin to move away from the gears. The teeth will then fall into the gears, generating an engine shock. Worst of all, the engine would stall due to the incorrect camshaft timing. Check MOT status and have this issue addressed as this could possibly lead to an emissions test failure on a MOT test.

2.      Engine Misfire - If the timing belt is worn out, the engine's fire rate may be compromised. If the timing belt separates from the gears and lands on the camshaft, one of the cylinders will open and close prematurely. If this happens, an engine misfire may develop, necessitating the replacement of the belt as soon as possible. The engine may be irreversibly damaged if the belt is not replaced promptly.

3.      Smoke from the Engine - It might be difficult to know if the large volumes of smoke coming from your exhaust are truly normal steam or water vapour when it's chilly outdoors. However, if you see unusually large amounts of smoke, especially in the cold, it might be a timing belt issue. A defective timing belt might be the cause if you check MOT history and your vehicle has previously failed an emissions test.Exhaust is released through two openings at the top of each cylinder, which also enable air to enter. The rotation of the camshaft and the movement of the cylinders cause these openings to open and close. Your timing belt will become unsynchronized as it wears down, enabling exhaust and air to escape at inconvenient times. As a result, your exhaust system will be filled with smoke.

4.      Oil Pressure Drop - The timing belt rotates the camshaft's gears. If the timing of the belt is improper, the camshaft may be snapped off. Some of these shards may fall into the vehicle's oil pan, causing the engine's bottom oil pressure to drop. After then, the engine would entirely fail. The engine must be entirely rebuilt in order to get back on track.

5.      Damaged pistons or valves - Having the timing belt partially or completely broken is the most serious symptom. If this is the situation, the crankshaft will begin to move independently of the camshaft. The piston will make contact with the valves when the valves open. The valves may flex, and the piston may be injured as a result of this. Turn off your engine as soon as you detect this symptom if you want to safeguard it from further damage. It's possible that you'll be able to avert serious engine damage by doing so.

6.      Check Engine Light Turns On - Ticking or rattling noises, poor engine performance, and overheating are all symptoms of a loose or worn timing belt, which frequently results in the check engine light turning on. The engine will not start if the timing belt breaks, and certain engines will suffer internal damage if the timing belt breaks.

When Should You Replace Your Timing Belt?

A timing belt is one of the car parts that must be replaced in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. This usually happens every 75,000 to 100,000 miles on average. The specific itinerary for your car may be found in the owner's handbook.

Timing belt replacement is not something that can be put off forever. The belt will eventually break, causing the engine to be damaged to the tune of hundreds of pounds. It's simply not worth taking the chance.