Why Can't You Drive on a Bad Timing Belt

The timing belt is essential in maintaining the rhythmic pace between your engine's pistons and valves. But what happens when this vital piece fails? As one of the most trusted auto mechanics in Boise, we at Naylor's Auto Repair want to share some important information about timing belts and how to prevent potentially catastrophic damage from happening to your car.

Can You Drive on a Broken Timing Belt?

No! If the timing belt breaks while driving, pull over as safely and quickly as possible and turn off the engine immediately to prevent further damage. The vehicle will need to be towed to a repair shop for further inspection and repair. The timing belt is integral to the synchronized operation of the engine, coordinating the movements of the pistons and valves.

A broken belt can cause these components to collide, significantly damaging the cylinders, rocker arms, push rods, and valves. Repairs for such damage can be extensive (read: expensive!) potentially requiring a new engine or even totaling the car, which is why it’s imperative you stop driving a car the moment you recognize the timing belt has broken.

Can You Drive on a Broken Timing Belt?

No! If the timing belt breaks while driving, pull over as safely and quickly as possible and turn off the engine immediately to prevent further damage. The vehicle will need to be towed to a repair shop for further inspection and repair. The timing belt is integral to the synchronized operation of the engine, coordinating the movements of the pistons and valves.

A broken belt can cause these components to collide, significantly damaging the cylinders, rocker arms, push rods, and valves. Repairs for such damage can be extensive (read: expensive!) potentially requiring a new engine or even totaling the car, which is why it’s imperative you stop driving a car the moment you recognize the timing belt has broken.

What Are the Warning Signs a Timing Belt Will Break?

While a timing belt can break without much indication, there are some warning signs that might alert its upcoming failure. These include:

• A ticking noise from the engine while it's running.
• Difficulty starting or turning over the engine.
• The sound of the engine misfiring while driving.
• Visible oil leakage from the front side of the motor.
• Hydroplaning in dry road conditions.
• Illumination of the check engine light.
• A noticeable decline in engine performance.

Paying attention to these warning signs and bringing your car to Naylor's can prevent the destructive consequences of a broken timing belt.

How to Prevent a Harmful Timing Belt Break

Preventing a timing belt failure involves a combination of proactive measures and regular maintenance. Extreme temperatures and dry climates can accelerate the wear of the timing belt, necessitating more frequent replacements.

To protect your timing belt and, by extension, your engine, consider:

• Storing your car in a garage to protect it from extreme temperature changes.
• Getting regular oil changes and addressing any water leaks promptly.
• Having the timing belt assessed every 60,000 miles or every five years.
• Proactively replacing aging timing belts.

At Naylor’s Auto Repair, our technicians can evaluate the health of your car's timing belt and provide informed recommendations for its replacement to save you a headache in the future.

Visit Naylor’s Auto Repair for Timing Belt Repair

When it comes to the health of your timing belt and engine, trust the experts at Naylor’s Auto Repair. Our skilled technicians are proficient in identifying and addressing timing belt issues, ensuring your vehicle operates smoothly and stays reliable. Call us or schedule an appointment online.

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. 

You likely have the V6 motor, most Solaras have the V6.

You can postpone the repair as long as you want. Until the belt breaks the car will run fine. After the belt breaks is the problem.

No way to tell the condition of the belt as it sits now.

If it breaks when you are on I-95; the motor stops suddenly, your power steering stops when the motor stops so steering is possible but it is very much harder to turn the wheel. You’ll have power brakes to stop the car once, then the brakes will get hard and ineffective. You’ll have to get to the side of the road “coasting” traffic will have to dodge around you. If you are in the middle or passing lanes it could be difficult to get to the right side shoulder before the car looses all momentum. If you are on a bridge you might have very little to no shoulder at all for an emergency pull over. Once you get to the side of the road you aren’t going anywhere without a tow. So, you need to know the number for your AAA service, other road side service, or a local tow company.

When you get the car to a shop the V6 motor will have internal damage to valves and pistons and you will likely need to purchase a new or rebuilt motor and have it installed in the car. The old motor will be broken beyond a reasonable repair cost. You will be looking at about $3,000 to get the car on the road again.

Suggestion- replace the belt now. If you wish drive on, but be ready to buy another car when the belt breaks. If you can’t afford the cost of a new belt, I don’t know how you can afford to buy another car either.