Symptoms of Bad Timing Belt -10 Common Signs

Timing belts are made of robber materials, so they get worn-out at some point. Here are common symptoms of bad timing belt that tells you when you need to replace your timing belts.

The timing belt serve as a connection between the crankshaft and the camshaft. The primary function of the timing belt is to harmonize or synchronizes the camshaft to the crankshaft position, so the valves will open and close at the proper timing in relation to the position of the pistons.

10 symptoms of bad timing belt

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As a result of the strenuous and continues activity timing belts can become slake even if they don’t break a replacement would be needed. In this article, we will see the signs that tell when the timing chain is bad and needs to be replaced.

Difficulty in starting the engine
Misfiring Engine
Oil leak
Rattling noise in the case of timing chain
Check engine light
Reduced car performance
Smoke from engine
Rough idling
Broken piston valve
Low oil pressure

All these are signs and symptoms of a bad timing belt is chain. If you observe any of these signs as mentioned here on Cookip, you should consider replacing you timing chain or belt as soon as possible.

How do I check my timing belt?

How do I check my timing belt? Good question, checking of timing belt is a visual process. Since the timing chain is made from robber materials the edges can get worn off, it might loose it grip.

To check the timing belt you have to open the bonnet and visually inspect it to see if the is still in good shape or not. Look for any contaminants that could eat away at the belt or cause it to slip. Also, look for cracks in the belt.

If you notice cracks on the belt, this can indicate that the belt is old or has dried out. Consider replacing it when you noticed cracks don’t wait until its broken before your take action.

To avoid having serious expensive repairs to make, it is better to change the belts when any symptoms that indicates a bad timing chain is noticed. You can easily replace the old timing with a couple of dollars, you save more if you can do your auto work yourself even.

Will a car start with a bad timing belt?

The simple answer to this is know, an engine will not run if the timing chain is broken. Timing belt, links the two most important parts of the engine together (crankshaft and the camshaft)

This link is to make sure the crankshaft and the camshaft are working in harmony to open and close each cylinder’s intake and exhaust strokes. Generally, if the crankshaft and the camshaft cannot turn at the same time then cylinder’s intake and exhaust strokes will not be possible.

If cylinder’s intake and exhaust strokes is not possible it means car would not start, this is a simple term. If the timing belt fails in an interference engine, it will bend valves in the cylinder head, requiring very expensive engine repairs. It is advisable to always inspect your timing belt for any bad symptoms when changing engine oil.

How do you tell if your timing is off?

A bad timing is characterized by and audible rattling sound from the engine, there might be difficulty is in starting the car too. When timing is off or incorrectly installed, it could cause a lot of damages to the engine.

A good explanation of this is with the function belt and movement of the crankshaft piston and the cylinder intake. The timing is supposed to synchronize the crankshaft and camshafts movement to open and close at the proper timing.

If the speed timing sensor is failing or sending inaccurate data, the engine will rev higher before the transmission shifts into a higher gear. If the opposite happens, the valves might become bent by the incorrect movement and result in a damaged pistons.

What causes timing belt to break?

Constant heat generated by the engine is the major cause of timing belt been broken. Since the timing belt is made from robber and robbers are vulnerable to heat and can be broken as a result.

However, age and mode of vehicular use also matters to reasons why timing belt break. If the belt does not brake it could as well loose the its grip as a result of wearing off of the teeth.

This often results in a slip of the timing belt and potential damage to the engine. The timing belt may also begin to crack under stress.

Can a bad timing belt cause check engine light?

A bad timing, yes can cause or trigger the check engine light since it affects the overall engine performance. The check engine is light is basically an indications to engine performance, it is meant to notify you of the slightest problem that could be happening to the engine.

A loose or slake timing belt would not functions as expected, this will lead to the engine’s discomfort and the check light might just pop up at anytime. If the timing belt breaks, the engine can’t run — and on some engines that break can cause internal damage.

Is it worth fixing a broken timing belt?

Timing chain ensures that the cylinder intake is going on and its going on properly. If there is not cylinder intake, it means there is no running engine.

Did you just asked if it is worth fixing a broken timing belt? yes it fixing a broken timing chain is worth it, except you are not using the car anymore. Remember, your engine will not run with a bad timing chain talk more of a broken one.

Timing chain is replace should be done a required or advised by the manufacturer. Most often this will be between every 75,000 and 100,000 miles. Eventually, the belt will break and you may have thousands of dollars in engine damage. It’s simply not worth the risk.

This article is all about the symptoms of a bad timing chain or belt and problems that could be caused by wrong timing. If you have any more questions please ask us using the comments section. Below are sample of questions that could be going through your mind

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