Timing belts allow your vehicle’s engine to operate. They are in charge of synchronizing the rotation system of the engine’s camshaft and crankshaft, in order to enable engine valves to open and close at the right time.
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These car parts are subject to great forces inside the vehicle’s engine. For this reason, every vehicle that has a timing belt will require a new timing belt replacement at some point during its life. Without a fully functioning timing belt, the car’s engine won’t be able to run properly.
Timing belts are strong and highly efficient but being constantly under stress and operating in high heat environments make them impossible to last forever. However, drivers widely forget that timing belts must be replaced on a regular basis. Then, when to replace a timing belt?
The largely depends on the manufacturer and model of each vehicle, so first thing to do is check your owner’s manual for specific recommendations.
In many cases, there might be no apparent indication that a timing belt is becoming worn. Often, it just breaks. That’s why, when it comes to timing belts, prevention is by far the best solution.
Related content: Expert advice: when should you carry out a car timing belt replacement
There are a few warning signs that can help you diagnose when you need a new timing belt, but it is important to remember that prevention is the key to an optimal car maintenance, as there are no certain clues to indicate a worn belt that may be close to snapping.
Listed below are five key signs to be aware of that may help you determine if it’s time to check and get a new timing belt.
Timing belts run through a system of pulleys that operate both the camshaft and the crankshaft. The teeth they use for this are meant to grip and move smoothly, but if the timing belt starts to wear out, it may create a repetitive clicking or ticking sound coming from inside the engine.
Belt wear and stretching damages the catalyst, as the fuel is not completely burned in the chambers due to an incorrect composition of mixture fuel. That means: all the fuel that has not been consumed is directed to the exhaust system. If you hear a clicking noise when starting the engine and see black smoke coming from the vehicle’s exhaust pipe, this indicates an incorrect fuel composition that may be due, among many others, to damage to the timing belt.
A worn timing belt will affect your engine’s starting speed as it is attached to the pulleys that drive the crankshaft. Eventually, the belt can slip on the camshaft drive causing the engine cylinder to open and close at the wrong time.
The stretching or wear of the timing belt will cause it to skip one or more teeth, and therefore as a result the engine ignition is lengthened, in addition, as we have already mentioned, the jumps or slips of the belt cause the desynchronization of the engine.
If we are inspecting our vehicle, or we are about to make a visit to the garage, the first sign that will indicate that the belt is worn is its appearance. It is possible to see small cracks throughout the entire piece. If the cracks are enlarged, then the internal threads of the cracks can be seen. In addition, another sign is the detachment of small pieces or fragments of the belt material that will end up falling inside the entire engine.
Another sign of advanced belt wear is high elongation. When this occurs, there is a loss of tension which makes the deflection force of the belt less. This will lead to belt slipping in the first place or worse, belt dropping during engine operation. Belt slippage or skipping will lead to engine out of sync and this can lead to piston/cam collision resulting in catastrophic engine failure.
Timing belts must be in good shape order for your car to properly start. If your belt has been damaged, you will most likely hear the starter engage when you turn your key but the engine will not ignite.
In case your timing belt is broken inside, it won’t be possible for your engine to start working, since your timing belt is what engages your crank and camshaft, it won’t turn over. If this happens in addition to any of the above warning signs, it is probably that the problem is due to a snapped timing belt.
Calling a professional for advice is the only sensible solution here. If the problem is caused by the timing belt, there is a high chance it results in the damage of other engine compartments, so the situation could be rather serious.
Keep reading: Things to consider when choosing a timing belt kit
The replacement of the water pump or the timing belt are two of the most common operations in a garage. In our experience, it is much more cost-effective and safer to replace them for preventive reasons than to wait for them to break down and stop working altogether.
In addition, by replacing these two components together, you will save on labor, reduce the number of visits to the workshop and will improve both the quality and safety of the intervention.
DOLZ offers premium timing belts; 100% tested and equivalent to OE:
In today’s article we provide some considerations when choosing your timing belt kit. Timing belt is a crucial system of the vehicle engine performance. It is responsible for synchronizing the movement of the crankshaft and the camshaft(s).
For more information, please visit Automotive Timing Belts.
Commonly, when a timing belt fails, all the other parts around it also require replacement. Because of this reason, it is better to change not only the belt but also other engine parts such as the water pump and tensioner. It means a better and long-lasting repair, prevention of engine risks and savings for the pocket.
Buying a timing belt kit has been proved to reduce 50% of interventions and an estimated 5 hours of labor. That is, one box solution that contains all of the components required for an optimal timing belt replacement. Continue reading and learn how to choose the best timing belt kits for your application.
All-inclusive kits that contain everything you need for a professional repair: water pump with gasket when necessary, belt, pulleys, bearings and screws.
In order to cater the different needs of the market, timing belt kits are also available without a water pump.
Keep reading: 5 warning signs its time to replace the timing-belt
Ensuring that your vehicle has a strong and reliable engine is essential for safe and efficient driving. To achieve this, there are several key factors to consider when maintaining your vehicle’s engine. By taking care to address these critical aspects, you can help to extend the life of your engine and achieve optimal performance.
Timing belt kit components must be compatible with your car engine. Timing belts can differ in strength, thickness and temperature resistance in relation to suiting specific vehicle needs. If you choose without checking compatibility, premature failure will potentially arise.
In order to do so, it is key to conduct research before selecting and ordering; by checking the part number and every specification that will ensure a proper fit in the engine. Accurate instructions also play an important role in securing an easy and safe installation of all parts involved.
Do not jeopardize quality for price matters, as this will negatively affect durability; raising the costs associated with fixings and reparations in the long term. A reliable performance is a must so, the investment will surely be worth it.
Best timing belt kits are those whose quality is at least equivalent to OE standard specifications regarding fit, functionality and performance indicators. Timing belt components must be tested under the same conditions as per OE specifications, with proven materials guaranteeing superior resistance against heat, pressure and external wear.
Dolz’s facilities are fully ISO certified in all the countries where it operates. With a guarantee rate as low as <0.05%, quality of Dolz references rests assured.
Reputation and expertise are the safest ways to verify product quality and reliability. It is rather important that the chosen brand has proven knowledge and experience in the manufacturing of the specific product, as each individual component has a unique functioning.
Existing reviews and additional support materials such as technical specifications, videos and unboxings can help you identify specifically how the item(s) should turn out. Only an experienced manufacturer can offer a backed-up product.
You must be interested: Timing belt kit replacement: how to do it?
When it comes to maintaining the engine of your vehicle, few components are equally critical as the timing belt. To help ensure that your timing belt is functioning properly, it’s important to understand the various parts that are included in our timing belt kits:
It is in charge of keeping internal combustion engines running and the vehicle’s pistons and valves operating correctly. Premium quality belts must prove resistant to changes in temperature, water and oil to ensure optimized durability.
The water pump is directly adjacent to the timing belt and is intended to keep the optimum temperature of the engine at all times, so it must remain properly sealed to avoid leakage. In most cases, the timing belt drives the water pump, which is why it is the right time to replace the water pump when replacing the timing belt.
A belt tensioner or idler pulley is the system that guides the timing belt on a car engine, keeping it tight and running smoothly. Its main function is to stop the belt from slipping, avoiding drivability issues derived from a loose timing belt.
Bearings and screws are what holds together and in place the different components of engine timing belt kits. Dolz bearings are equivalents to OE and resistant to temperature changes and motor vibrations. They are manufactured with high quality raw materials to reduce friction and wear.
The best timing belt kits are those manufactured at a superior technological level. Dolz has made significant investments in technology and innovation to provide products of unique precision and quality that have gone through solid inspections during the process.
With two options available: all-include kits with water pump (KD) and an option without the water pump (SKD), both alternatives are manufactured to reach OE specifications and are guaranteed for 2 years from date of purchase or 80.000 km.
Are you interested in learning more about Audi Timing Belt Replacement? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!