Tips For Maintaining Your Car's Timing Belt

The timing belt ensures the engine's valves open and close at the proper times. A damaged timing belt, especially if the damage occurs when the car is running, can cause serious damage to the car's engine. Here are a few maintenance tips to help you prevent sudden timing belt failure.

Examine the Belts Regularly

Examine the timing belt regularly so that you can identify teething problems and replace the belt before it snaps. Although your service mechanic will examine the belt when you take the car for service, you shouldn't wait for service schedules to examine the belt. You should inspect the belt on your own too.

The timing belt is located in front of the engine under a timing cover. Watch out for signs of physical damages such as frays and cracks. You should also be suspicious if the belt has weak spots or seems to be peeling. Contact your auto mechanic for confirmation of your diagnosis if you suspect belt damage.

Know When to Replace Each Belt

No timing belt lasts forever; there are two times when you have to replace the belt. First, you should replace the timing belt when it nears the replacement mileage as determined by the auto manufacturer. The mileage typically ranges from 60,000 to 100,000 miles.

Secondly, you should also replace the belt if it shows signs of damage even if it hasn't reached the replacement mileage. Signs of a failing timing belt include physical damage to the belt, ticking noise from the engine, and leaking oil, among others.

Clean the Belts Regularly

The timing belt material is primarily rubber, which means it deteriorates over time. Exposure to various substances and environments such as dirt, oil, and high temperatures, accelerate the deterioration. There isn't much you can do about the heat emanating from the engine, but you should clean the belt regularly to get rid of the dirt and grime.

Maintain the Car

Malfunctions on some parts of the car may also affect the durability of the timing belt. For example, damaged belt pulleys can accelerate the timing belt's wear. The belt also wears out fast if the car is misaligned; for example, misalignment can increase belt tension and hence the rate of wear.

Don't Overload the Car

Lastly, it also pays not to overload the car if you don't want the timing belt to wear out fast. When you overload the car, most parts of the car, including the engine components experience increased strain (due to the excessive load). The belt will wear fast because it wasn't meant for the load you are forcing on it.

Speak with a local automotive repair service for more information.