How to Tell If Your Car Needs a New Timing Belt

The timing of the combustion process is coordinated by a timing belt. This toothed belt connects the engine crankshaft to the camshafts. A car's engine cannot and will not function without a proper functioning time belt. Which leads us to our topic. Read on to learn more about timing belts and signs that you need a replacement.

1. Misfiring Engine

Your car's engine is impacted negatively by a worn-out timing belt. It can lead to the engine misfiring.The belt will slip if it is worn or too loose, causing the cylinders to open and close earlier than they should. If the timing is incorrect, the engine will operate irregularly or not operate at all. Engine misfiring is a major indicator that your vehicle is due for a check up.

2. Ticking Noises from Engine

A worn-out timing belt can cause weird ticking sounds from within the engine. It is also an indicator of low oil pressure which affects the timing belt. No or low engine oil means no or less oil pressure on the tensioner and this could lead to the loosening of the timing belt from the break system.

3. Weird Squealing Noises

Squealing noises when braking, accelerating, decelerating or idling usually mean your timing belt is close to breaking. It's very important to have it checked out and replaced immediately to avoid further damage to your vehicle.

4. Engine Not Running

So, you've missed all the signs and your timing belt has completely broken up. This is why your engine is not running because a car's engine will not run without a working timing belt. Your starter motor will engage however, the vehicle will not budge. The only solution is to replace the broken timing belt.

Never attempt to do your own timing belt replacement, this is a job that should be left to the professionals. So, If you need a timing belt replacement, we invite you to bring your vehicle to Yates Automotive today!

The timing belt is an essential component of your car. You’ll want to have it replace whenever necessary, ideally before it fails and causes damage to your engine. Here are some of the signs you need to look out for if your timing belt is bad and needs to be replaced.

8 Signs Your Timing Belt Is Going Bad

1. Your Engine Is Misfiring

The most crucial role of the timing belt is keeping the cylinders in sync. If the timing belt starts to have problems, the cylinders can get out of sync. This causes the engine to begin misfiring. Another sign is that you aren’t getting the same performance from the car. This is one of the biggest warning signs. It can’t be ignored, as it means that you are starting to damage your engine. 

2. You Hear A Ticking Noise From Your Engine

The timing belt is connected to pulleys in the crankshaft. When it has started to wear out, it won’t be able to turn the pulleys properly. This is what produces the ticking sound. However, ticking can also be caused by a low level of oil in the engine. Either way, it’s a serious issue, so make sure that it gets checked out by a mechanic. 

3. Oil Is Leaking From Your Motor

The timing belt is held in place by a series of nuts. However, over time, these can loosen. When this happens, it can cause an oil leak around the timing belt cover. As you can imagine, this can be a serious problem. When the flow of oil is disrupted, there is a big risk that the engine might overheat. If this happens, it can lead to significant damage and a big repair bill. 

4. You Have Smoke Coming From Your Exhaust

If you notice more smoke coming out of your exhaust than normal, this can be a sign that you are forcing the engine to work harder than usual. However, it can also be a sign of other engine problems. For example, it could be a sign that fluid is leaking and the engine is burning oil. It could also be a problem with the filters, limiting the amount of air that is getting to the engine. 

5. If You Notice A Change In Your RPMs (Revolutions Per Minute)

The number of revolutions per minute (RPM) is on the dashboard. This number is a way of determining how hard the engine is working. Manual drivers will use it to decide when to change up a gear. If something is wrong with the timing belt, like it’s missing teeth, it can cause the RPM to act erratically. 

6. You Are Unable to Start the Engine

One of the most obvious signs that there is something wrong is when you are unable to start the engine. If this is happening, it could be a sign that the timing belt is completely broken. You should be able to hear the starter clicking. But because the belt is responsible for the crankshaft, the car won’t start. 

7. It’s Been 60,000+ Miles (or 5 Years) Since Your Timing Belt Was Last Replaced

It’s best not to wait until any of these signs start to appear. It’s a good idea to keep records of when you last had parts replaced. While they will have mileage specifications on the belt, it’s best to go by how long it has been in the engine. Every five to six years, you should aim to replace the belts. However, this can change, depending on how often you use the vehicle. 

8. Your Check Engine Light Is On

Depending on what car your drive, a problem with your timing belt might activate the check engine light. Though it’s one of the least dramatic warning signs, this light should never be ignored. It means that there is something wrong, and you should contact a mechanic as soon as possible. 

The Importance Of The Timing Belt

The timing belt is a critical engine component. It helps to keep the camshaft and the crankshaft in sync. This ensures that the cylinders are firing at the right time. It can be found under the timing belt cover at the front of the engine.  

It should be noted that not all cars have a timing belt. Some of the more modern engines will come with a timing chain. As long as you are getting oil and fluid changes, this type of belt should last forever. 

Rubber timing belts are built to last, made from strong rubber. However, if you have had it for a long time, it can start to wear down. The belt is subject to high temperatures and constant friction. If left for long enough, it will eventually crack. When this happens, it will need to be replaced. Here are some of the symptoms to look out for. 

What To Do If Your Timing Belt Breaks While Driving

It can be very dramatic if the timing belt breaks while you are driving. The crankshaft will completely stop turning. How serious the damage ends up being will depend on many factors like the type of car you are driving. When this happens, it is impossible to deny that you are having engine problems! 

If you are driving a non-interference engine, you will avoid the worst of the damage. The car will stall, and you won’t be able to get the engine to start again. The good news is that the pistons and valves won’t be damaged. 

However, if you are driving an interference engine, you will be in for a more extensive repair bill. Some of the valves will be left in the open position. The momentum of the crankshaft will keep it moving. As a result, the pistons will be driven into the valves. As you can imagine, this does a lot of damage to the engine. It can bend the valve and damage the piston head. In some cases, the whole cylinder block can be damaged. This will lead to a costly repair. 

Replacing a Timing Belt 

You can try to replace the timing belt yourself, but this can be a complex procedure. It’s best to contact your local mechanic. Once you bring in your car, they will examine the engine. This will give them a good idea of how bad the timing belt is. They will also want to examine the surrounding parts, like the pistons and valves, to evaluate their condition. 

Then, they will need to fit the new timing belt. They might want to replace a few other elements around the timing belt. For example, it might be necessary to change the water pump, belt tensioner, or pulleys. 

Finally, the mechanic will need to synchronize the engine. This ensures that the pistons are in the right place. This can be a delicate process, so make sure you take your vehicle to a trusted mechanic. 

Usually, it will take around three to six hours to replace the timing belt. However, the mechanic may need to order specific parts. It can take a few weeks for them to arrive. 

How much replacing a timing belt costs can vary. If you are replacing the timing belt before it breaks, it can cost upwards of $500. However, this bill will quickly grow if you need to fix damage caused by a broken or bad timing belt.

Final Thoughts

The timing belt has a crucial role to play in the functioning of your car engine. If you have had it for over six years, you should consider making an appointment with your mechanic to replace it. While this might be an expensive procedure, it can save you from future engine damage and headaches. 

If you are experiencing any of these issues, book an appointment with SL Autoworks in Maumelle, AR, today! Remember, the longer you ignore these problems, the worse it will get, and the more expensive it will be to repair. 

Your timing belt is an essential component of your car's engine because it ensures that the crankshaft and camshaft work in perfect synchronization. Do you know what happens when a timing belt breaks while driving? Should this occur, you have a serious problem and will need to go to a mechanic as soon as possible. In fact, you should look out for signs that your timing belt is about to break and have it checked out before it can snap and cause any damage. It is vital that you have the belt replaced before it breaks. If you notice any signs that it is wearing out, schedule a timing belt replacement in Marietta, Georgia. Let's take a closer look at what happens when a timing belt breaks and why it can be disastrous for your car.

How do you know if your timing belt broke while driving?

Firstly, how would you even know when your timing belt breaks? It's quite simple, really: your car cannot run at all without a timing belt. If the belt breaks while you are on the road, the car will break down immediately - and your engine can experience severe damage. You need to look out for signs and symptoms of a weakening timing belt so that you can take action before it is too late. These include loud clicking sounds coming from your engine, squealing sounds, and your engine failing to start at all.

Here are three signs of the most common signs to look out for. If you start to notice any of them, take your car to an auto repair professional as soon as possible.

1. Ticking noise

When the belt is starting to wear out, there can be a tell-tale ticking noise. This sound could also have other meanings. Either way, your engine could be in trouble if you don’t have it looked at immediately.

2. Engine fails to start

When you turn the key in the ignition and the timing belt has broken, you will hear the starter, but with no belt to drive the crankshaft, the engine won’t be able to start. 

3. Engine misfiring

The timing belt synchronizes the valves and cylinders in your engine. If in the rare instance it skips a tooth it may cause one or more of the cylinders to open or close too early. This will cause the engine to run poorly and set a check engine light. If on the rare occasion that happens, please have your car checked out straight away. There could be other reasons for misfires - and all of them could mean major problems for your engine.

Can you drive with a broken timing belt?

Your car cannot run with a broken timing belt . By the time the belt snaps, the damage is already done, and you will not be able to drive at all. You will need to have the vehicle towed to an auto repair workshop. The question is, how long can you drive with a bad timing belt? Once you know that your timing belt is faulty - but it has not yet broken - can you still drive the car? It is possible to continue driving the car in this state, although there is a risk that the belt will snap at any time. It really is not advisable to drive the vehicle for any significant length of time once you are aware that you may have a timing belt problem. 

Will a broken timing belt destroy my engine?

There are some engine components that can break without causing serious damage. You can drive to your mechanic and have the part replaced without any problems. This is not the case with a timing belt, however. When the timing belt breaks, the crankshaft will continue to spin, while the camshaft will stop turning. As a result, the pistons will continue to rise and fall in their cylinders and can, in some instances strike the valves. When this happens, the pistons, valves and cylinder heads will be damaged, and because it happens so quickly, the damage will be virtually instantaneous.

Timing belt replacement service in Marietta, Georgia

It is very important to observe your engine carefully and ensure that it is running smoothly. When you start to experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, take your car to a mechanic immediately. It may be nothing, it may be a minor fix, or it could be a sign of serious trouble, potentially leading up to that dreaded moment when the timing belt breaks while driving. Now that you know what happens when a timing belt breaks, if you notice any of the problems we have described, call Professional Automotive Repair and schedule a timing belt replacement in Marietta, Georgia.