Timing in any situation is important. If you&#;re playing an instrument, you must make sure the beats played in a measure are equal to the beat of the song. When you miss a beat by playing too quickly or too slow, it can affect the integrity of the song. If you&#;re playing in a band or orchestra, you won&#;t be in sync with your bandmates. Similarly, your vehicle&#;s timing belt is essential to your engine for a successful combustion process. What  does a timing belt do in a car? The timing belt is what keeps the crankshaft and camshafts turning so that the valves open and close to create the combustion process, all in perfect harmony. 

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What Does a Timing Belt Do in a Car?

The timing belt has notches that turn the camshaft in coordination with the crankshaft. Crankshafts are intended to operate at half the speed of the camshaft. For example, two turns of the crankshaft are equal to just one turn of the camshaft. In addition to keeping time, timing belts are tasked with powering the water pump, intermediate and balance shafts, and the oil and injection pumps. Timing belts need tension in order to perform properly with the use of a timing belt tensioner. Vehicles today are equipped with automatic timing belt tensioners that do not require adjustment; however, older model vehicles would require adjustment from time to time if the belt became loose. Timing belts that are loose are problematic as they force the timing out of range. 

How Does a Timing Belt Work?

As part of the combustion process, the intake valves open to allow air and fuel into the cylinders and then close during the compression and combustion phase. The pistons then travel upward to compress the mixture. Once ignition occurs, the pistons are forced back down and move back up to dissipate the exhaust gases through the now opened exhaust valves. The process continues over and over as the vehicle runs. The timing of this process is important. If one of these operations is off, it can affect the efficiency of the engine resulting in a loss of power, misfires, and in some cases an inoperable engine. So where does the timing belt fit into this process? The timing belt is connected to the engine uses a pulley to turn the crankshaft as well as the camshaft to control the opening and closing of the valves. 

Timing Belt or Timing Chain?

Initially, vehicles were manufactured with timing chains and they connected the crankshaft and the camshaft but were overhead valves, not overhead camshaft engines. In the s timing belts were introduced and widely used because of the introduction of the overhead camshafts. Now, vehicle manufacturers are turning back to timing chains, though many continue to utilize timing belts as well. Timing belts and timing chains perform the same task but do have minor differences. Timing belts are made of rubber and timing chains are well, metal chains. Timing belts are quieter and less expensive than chains, however, chains do last longer and rarely require replacement. A timing belt, on the other hand, will require replacement somewhere between 60,000 to 90,000 miles. The location of the timing belt and chain differ as well. Timing belts are located on the exterior of the engine whereas timing chains are inside the engine to receive lubrication from motor oil. Refer to your owner&#;s manual to determine whether your car uses a belt or chain for timing. 

When Good Timing Goes Bad

It&#;s important to have the timing belt inspected to ensure the belt is free from any damage such as cracks, gouges, oily residue, or other signs of wear. A timing belt that is in poor condition is at risk for breaking, which can cause the engine to quit running altogether. When a timing belt becomes loose and detaches, the camshaft stops turning, leaving valves in the open position. This is troublesome because the crankshaft continues turning, making the pistons move up and downward and possibly colliding with the open valves resulting in a bevy of damaged engine components. If you notice any damage to the timing belt or experience any of the symptoms below, be sure to take your vehicle to an automotive service center right away for replacement:

• Check Engine Light On 

• Rough idling

• Car Won&#;t Start

• Misfires

When it&#;s time to replace the timing belt, also consider replacing the water pump at the same time. The two are located so closely together that though you will be paying for the cost of the water pump, you&#;ll save on labor fees as opposed to replacing it later. It&#;s important to note that water pumps have about the same life expectancy of timing belts, so replacing them at the same time is a smart choice. Replace your timing belt every 60,000 miles to ensure your engine continues to work in perfect harmony. 

Maintenance

What Is a Timing Belt? And When Should You Replace It?

Timing is everything. For jokes, music, cooking, dating&#;even engines! That&#;s because your car&#;s engine relies on a timing belt to stay in sync. The timing belt makes sure everything in the engine is operating smoothly, keeping you safe on the road.

Replacing the timing belt is an important maintenance item! So, if you own a car, you should understand how a timing belt works and when to replace it.

The company is the world’s best Automotive Timing Belts supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

Read: The Car Maintenance Checklist Every Driver Needs

What is a timing belt?

Think of a timing belt like a bike chain for your vehicle&#;it keeps all the internal moving parts of an engine in sync. It also sometimes powers the water pump, oil pump and injection pump.

The timing belt is a rubber belt with hard teeth that interlock with the cogwheels of the crankshaft and the camshafts. It synchronizes the movement of the crankshaft and camshafts. This ensures that the engine intake and exhaust valves open and close in time with the pistons. If the crankshaft and camshafts are not operating in unison, the vehicle will not run correctly.

If the intake valves open too early, there may be too much fuel-air mixture flowing into the engine combustion chamber, leading to poor combustion and power loss. And if the exhaust valves open too early, the combustion chamber will lose pressure and cause a power loss. If the engine components are very out of sync, they might collide and damage each other, resulting in costly repairs.

Timing Belt vs. Timing Chain

Depending on your vehicle model, you might have a timing chain instead of a timing belt. A timing chain functions the same as a belt, but it is metal instead of rubber. Because they are lighter and quieter, timing belts became popular to use after they were introduced in the s.

Thanks to design improvements and a long lifespan, many modern cars have returned to using timing chains instead. If your car has a timing chain instead of a timing belt, you may be able to go longer before replacing the timing chain. As always, check your owner&#;s manual or give us a call to be sure.

When should you replace the timing belt?

It&#;s important to replace your timing belt at the mileage intervals your vehicle manufacturer recommends. Every manufacturer is different, but typically, it needs to be replaced every 60,000&#;100,000 miles. The recommended interval for your specific vehicle can be found in your car&#;s owner&#;s manual.

Because the timing belt is made of rubber, it will wear down over time and eventually break. When it breaks, the engine will stop running or the components will be out of sync, damaging the engine.

If you don&#;t replace the timing belt at the recommended time, you could end up with total engine failure, broken or bent valves, cylinder head or camshaft damage, and piston and cylinder wall damage. This is not the type of situation where it&#;s safe to think: &#;If it&#;s not broke, don&#;t fix it.&#; Replace the timing belt according to the manufacturer&#;s maintenance schedule to avoid thousands of dollars repairing or replacing your engine.

8 Signs That It&#;s Time to Replace the Timing Belt

Often, there aren&#;t any warning signs before a timing belt breaks. But here are some possible indicators that it might be time to replace your belt:

• Decreased engine power
• Overheating
• Vibrating or shaking
• Trouble starting the vehicle
• Squealing or rubbing noises from the belts
• Ticking noise coming from the engine
• Leaking oil
• Check Engine Light

While your vehicle is in for service, we recommend also replacing the water pump. The water pump usually has a similar lifespan and is easy to access when the timing belt is off. That way you save money on labor costs.

Read: What Is a Serpentine Belt & When Should You Replace It?

Timing Belt Repair & Replacement at Virginia Tire & Auto

Replacing the timing belt is an expensive service. It is an intricate, labor-intensive process that can take 4&#;8 hours, depending on the vehicle. But replacing the timing belt before it breaks will prevent engine damage and save you money in the long run. If you&#;re unsure about your belt needs to be replaced, stop by Virginia Tire & Auto today.

Our expert ASE-certified technicians will examine your vehicle, identify any damage to your belt, and replace it with quality service at an affordable price. If you do need work done, our timing belt replacement service comes backed by our 2-year/24,000-mile service warranty. Click HERE to schedule a check-in time at one of our convenient locations!

Are you interested in learning more about Audi Timing Belt Replacement? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!