Timing belt: function, failure symptoms and maintenance tips

It may not ring a bell, but the timing belt is a very important part of how your car's engine works. So it is no surprise that its failure is one of the most troublesome and expensive breakdowns.

What is the timing belt?

Before going any further, we would like to explain what the timing belt is and how it works.

The timing belt is responsible for synchronising the movements of the engine's crankshaft with those of the camshaft. In this way it prevents the intake and/or exhaust valves from hitting the pistons. If they did, the damage to the engine would be serious, and the repair bill: rather painful.

Symptoms that a replacement is needed

Like other faults, drive belt failure is preceded by certain symptoms which, if spotted in time, can help us avoid such a costly failure.

1- Excess smoke from the exhaust pipe: If we notice an increase in the smoke coming out of our car, we are probably dealing with a belt failure.

2- Squealing and vibrations: If your car squeals when started, or vibrates frequently while you drive, your belt has very probably reached the end of its service life.

3- Steering that is too light: If when turning the steering wheel you notice that it feels lighter than usual, you may need to think about taking your car to the workshop to have the belt checked.

Consequences of the failure

Wear, a lack of maintenance, or even another fault: can cause the timing chain to break.

In that case, because the engine loses its coordination, the pistons will start to hit the intake and exhaust valves. The result is severe damage to both. So it is not unusual for the breakage of the timing belt to be the beginning of a premature death for many engines.

How to avoid the failure

To be fair, a broken drive belt is not usually a common fault. So it is very unlikely that you will have to go to the workshop because of one. Even so, at Ecumotorstock we believe it never hurts to follow certain tips that help extend its service life, and if possible avoid: such a costly breakdown.

Check the tension regularly: It never hurts to check the tension of the drive belt frequently. Incorrect tensioning will speed up its wear. So it is advisable to have a specialist check periodically that the tension is correct.

Be very careful with the water pump: A fault in the water pump can end in a belt failure. So it would also be wise to check its condition periodically.

Don't forget to replace it: Indeed, getting ahead of the breakage is the best advice for avoiding paying a fortune. For this reason, it is advisable to replace the belt approximately every 100 000 km.