What is a timing belt?A timing belt is a belt that connects an engine's crank and camshafts. It is covered in teeth of varying shapes depending on you vehicles belt type. Newer models of timing belt tend to have rounded teeth, whereas triangular teeth tend to cover traditional belts. Cam belts will be often made out of rubber and are then strengthened by materials such as fibreglass to lengthen their service time. Some timing belts are made out of resistant materials such as HSN so that they are not damaged by high temperatures in engines. Modern timing belts have less width to lessen their weight, to generate less friction. | Issues with timing beltsDifficulties with the timing belt of a car are one of the main reasons for car's breaking down. Cam belts can suffer a number of problems and if you know how to spot them you can avoid suffering a break down. The obvious problem is your timing belt snapping all together, and this can be caused by a number of issues. Cam belts can become over stretched leading to them emitting loud squeaking noises. If your timing belt looses its teeth the cam shaft cannot be turned. Another thing that stops camshafts turning are timing belts becoming misaligned. Timing belts being exposed to oil can be damaging causing the belt to change in size, meaning that it cannot effectively function. Timing belts can also become slack resulting in them slipping out of their desired position. Timing belts can also snap as a result of corrosion. |
How to undertake a cam belt replacementShould you have identified that there may be problems with the cam belt of your vehicle's engine it may be that you wish to run through the task of replacing it by yourself. Replacing the cam belt in your vehicle can be a difficult task to complete as well as being quite time consuming, so should any doubts arise about your skills as a mechanic you can visit Help Fix Car to locate accredited timing belt experts in Aberdeen South to run though a timing belt replacement on your behalf. The changing of the cam belt will not be the part of the job that takes up the most time, but rather the stripping of the engine that will be needed to get to the timing belt. It is advisable that if you are planning to replace the cam belt yourself rather than utilising Help Fix Car to track down a registered Aberdeen South cam belt specialist that you give yourself at least two days to perform the work. | Different cam belt typesThere are a number of different sorts of cam belt and the sort that you will need to have will depend on your car. A cam belt will be applied in two types of engine. Interference engine cam belts require regular maintaining as a result of the level of proximity between the pistons and valves in your vehicles engine. Non-interference engine cam belts need much less maintenance as the valves and pistons in the engine do not sit so closely together. The teeth of your cam belt may be of a number of shapes. Cam belts that are less modern will usually have trapezoid shaped teeth, when contrasted with the rounded teeth of recent cam belts. Cam belts will usually be made from rubber which has been treated with materials like fibreglass to ensure that it is stronger, although modern cam belts are made out of materials like HSN. |
Aberdeen South mechanics can perform work on timing beltsWhen you need to have work carried out on your cam belt you will have to locate a mechanic in Aberdeen South. Utilising Help Fix Car will enable you to find mechanic firms in Aberdeen South to work on the timing belt of your vehicle. Mechanics in Aberdeen South are able to perform a wide range of timing belt tasks. If you think that you have a damaged timing belt they can be used to inspect your timing belt. If a problem with your cam belt is present our timing belt mechanics in Aberdeen South can carry out repairs, or you can have your cam belt replaced should this not be possible. A cam belt tightening may need to be carried out, or you may have a timing belt that is too tight. It could be that you need to have a realigning of your cam belt. You may need to have them synchronise your cam belt and crankshaft, or you might have to have both your timing belt and water pump replaced at the same time, you can locate Aberdeen South timing belt specialists when you visit Help Fix Car. | What happens when timing belt problems are not fixedIf there is a problem with your cam belt it comes highly recommended that you address it as soon as you can. Should the timing belt of your vehicle slide out of position or fail you may experience significant damage to your engine because of it. The camshaft is turned by the timing belt in order for the valves in the engine to open and close at the correct times. Should your car's cam belt be damaged the engine valves in your car won't be able to open and close at the proper times causing them to collide with the pistons of the engine. Should you be experiencing problems with the cam belt of your vehicle you can locate reliable Aberdeen South timing belt exerts when you visit Help Fix Car to undertake repairs on your Mini's timing belt before significant damage is done to its engine. |
What role does a timing belt play?Cam belts are rubber belts that are able to control the timing of valves in engines. Valves in engines need to open and close a pre-agreed number of times and a cam belt is responsible for this happening. A cam belt's teeth are carefully designed so that they can deliver maximum efficiency for their engine. These teeth will turn the cam shaft of the vehicle's engine and ensure that it does not drop out of sync with the crankshaft. The cam shaft turns half as fast as the crankshaft of the engine, enabled by the timing belt. Should something stop this from happening then the engine will be prevented from efficiently working which can lead to your engine suffering irreparable damage. Examples of such problems can be your engine's valves remaining open when they shouldn't be resulting in them being stuck by the engine's pistons. | Consequences of not addressing timing belt problemsA failure to spot that your cam belt is damaged, or even worse; a failure to act when it is can spell disaster for your engine. If your vehicle has an interference engine not replacing a broken timing belt can result in notable damage to your auto mobile. If the timing belt in your car breaks then the vehicle will not even start up, but if the belt continues to run impaired your engine could be damaged beyond repair without your knowledge. If you have a damaged timing belt your engine's valves and pistons will knock into each other which can result in cracks appearing in your valve guides. The valve guides in the engine of your vehicle may also bend which can cost a considerable amount to have fixed. In extreme circumstances your cam shaft may even break. Should be having difficulties with your timing belt use Help Fix Car to track down Aberdeen South cam belt mechanics. |
Ensure that you maintain your timing belt to extend its lifespanYou can end up with serious damage to your engine should your car's timing belt fail. The best outcome may be the hiring of a tow-truck, with serious damage to your engine being the worst possible outcome. By ensuring that you keep your cam belt maintained to a high standard you can make sure that you are less likely to ever need an emergency cam belt replacement. The best way of ensuring that your cam belt lasts as long as it should be expected is to check it for signs of damage on a regular basis. If the belt's rubber is looking worn, you have cracks in the teeth of your cam belt, or there are teeth missing, or your timing belt has been covered in oil or anti-freeze we would advise you having it replaced by a registered Aberdeen South cam belt specialist, which can be obtained when you go to Help Fix Car. It is of paramount importance that you ensure that the tension of your cam belt is correct as if your belt is too tight it can cause the belt to slip out of position, often followed by serious damage to your engine. |
