The timing belt, an essential engine component

The timing belt is one of those components we don’t pay much attention to, but which tends to cause a major problem when it breaks. Perhaps because it is usually a part that lasts many thousands of kilometres, we don’t think that, despite this, it is a wear-prone component. I experienced it myself yesterday, when the car suddenly lost all power while driving on the road; the result was a broken belt.

The timing belt transmits the movement from the crankshaft to the camshaft and is a vital engine component, since it controls the synchronisation of the engine’s 4 strokes, the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves, and the ignition function, whether that is the spark from the spark plug or the timing of the diesel injectors. As the belt accumulates mileage, the constant bending it undergoes as it passes around the pulleys, together with continuous exposure to heat, causes the rubber to harden and crack.

It is not known exactly how long this belt can last, as there is no established lifespan limit. Some vehicles have never had their belt changed and it has never broken, while other cars have already had several belts replaced. In general, when you buy a new car, the belt should be changed at the fourth or fifth year of life if the conditions of use are normal, or at the first unusual noise heard when the engine turns over. It is said that the first change should be made at approximately 60,000 kilometres, but these intervals depend on the car manufacturer. And that is not all: a broken belt will bring other, even more serious problems with it.

There are engines where the valves do not interfere with the piston’s path, so they suffer no damage. In the case of other engines, when the belt breaks it can cause the valves to strike the pistons, destroying both parts. Either way, the cost of replacing the belt is far lower than the cost of fully repairing the engine, so having the condition of your car’s timing belt checked can save you a lot of headaches, especially during these summer travel periods.

Photo | Acron Power