As your vehicle approaches 100,000 miles, it’s high time for you to think about your car’s timing belt. After all, it’s around this point of a vehicle’s lifespan that mist timing belts need to be replaced with new ones.
But what if you own a second-hand car and have no idea when the timing belt was last installed? How can you be certain that your timing belt is on its way out? In this post, we will help you determine the best time to seek professional timing belt replacement in Sydney.
But before we provide you with tips, let’s take a closer look on how timing belts work.
What is a Timing Belt?
The timing belt in your car is wrapped around a series of gears. This is a durable rubber that plays a vital function in the overall performance of your engine. Simply put, a timing belt ensures that the valves and pistons inside your car engine move in perfect synchronicity. It controls the rotations of the camshaft and crankshaft of the engine.
Typically, most timing belts will start wearing down between the 60,000 and 100,000-mile mark. You may also check your car’s owner manual to determine the ideal time as to when you should replace the timing belt for your specific make and model. Your engine won’t run with a damaged timing belt or if there’s none at all.
Signs of a Damaged Timing Belt
- Loss of material
- Worn edges
- Cracks
- Loss of power
Does your Car Need Timing Belt Repair?
If your vehicle is experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, there is a high chance that your timing belt is damaged. When this happens, we highly recommend scheduling a car servicing appointment with your trusted Sydney car mechanic.
Signs and Symptoms of a Bad Timing Belt Issue
If your vehicle has a bad or worn-out timing belt, the following signs and symptoms may occur. If you experience once or more of these symptoms, we highly recommend seeking the expertise of an auto mechanic to ascertain whether you need a replacement or otherwise.
- Rough Idling of the Engine
If the teeth on your timing belts start falling off or becoming brittle, your timing belt will start slipping away from the gears. Once this happens, it will only be a matter of time that the teeth will start falling into the gears, forming a jolt in the engine. Worse-case scenario is that your engine will begin to stall as a result of bad camshaft timing.
- Engine Misfire
Your engine’s first rate may be in danger when the timing belt is worn-out. When your timing belt falls onto the camshaft, one of the cylinders may open and close too soon. This can result in engine misfire if the timing belt is not replaced immediately.
- Engine Smoke
If you see too much smoke even during colder months, then this may indicate a timing belt problem. If you have a seriously worn-out timing belt, your engine will become unsynchronised, which means that your exhaust will allow the passage of air in and outside at the wrong times resulting in smoke from your car’s exhaust system.
- Oil Pressure Decline
If the timing belt is off, it may skip or break pieces off the camshaft. Some of the broken pieces may fall off into the vehicle’s oil plane leading to oil pressure drop in the bottom part of the engine.
- Broken Piston Valves
The worst sign that your timing belt is worn or damaged is when it finally breaks completely. When this happens, the piston will come in direct contact with the valves as they open and end up bending the valves or damaging the piston altogether.
If you want to prevent further damage on your engine, it is advised to turn off the engine right away.
When Should You Replace the Timing Belt?
Follow your auto manufacturer’s schedule regarding the replacement of the timing belt. In most cases, you will need to replace the timing belt every 75,00 and 1000,000 miles. Bear in mind that timing belt replacement is one activity that you can’t delay indefinitely. When your timing belt breaks, you are more likely to spend more severe damages on your engine and other parts of the vehicle.
Expert Auto Mechanics in Sydney
HP Automotive is a premier auto mechanic shop serving commercial and private cars in Sydney. We offer a comprehensive range of car maintenance and repair services at affordable rates. If you wish to learn more about how we can help you with your car issues or schedule an appointment for a timing belt replacement, call our direct line on +61 2 9979 8372 today.