When To Replace Your Timing Belt

Your timing belt is another essential part of your engine. It is a flat, rubber belt that connects the camshaft and the crankshaft inside the engine, and it helps keep your engine synchronized as it runs. Chains were once used for this same purpose, but with the invention of the timing belt, more efficiency was introduced to the engines, allowing for a smoother driving experience that would not make as much noise. Your timing belt needs to be replaced at regular intervals, and you should certainly have a good mechanic who specializes in auto repair in Edgewood handle the timing belt replacement process for you, as it can get very complicated. Look for these signs if you are not sure about the status of your timing belt.

Wear and Tear

If your timing belt has lost a lot of its material over time, it may be time to replace it with a more complete belt so your engine can run more smoothly. If you let an old timing belt go for too long, it has a greater chance of breaking and causing serious issues in your engine. As belts wear down, they are more likely to slip off of there rotations as well, especially when the weather is wet or you are towing something heavier than normal.

Cracking

This is another aspect of wear and tear, but if your belt is showing cracks or tears, it is time to have it replaced with a new one. Cracking and tearing make it far more likely that your timing belt will break while you are driving, and there is nothing worse than being stranded on the side of the road with a broken timing belt. If you get the belt replaced before it breaks, as you should, the cost will be far less than it would otherwise, as additional damage can be done if the belt breaks while you are driving.

Misalignment

Misalignment can occur when the belt falls off of its tracking system. This happens over time as the belt stretches with repeated use and becomes too loose to sit tightly on the tracking. The result of misalignment will be a high level of noise, vibrations coming from the engine, and excessive heat around the belt. This heat and vibration will make it difficult for the timing belt to last much longer, and you should get a replacement before further problems can arise.