The timing belt is certainly one of the most important elements of your car: the main function of this component is to transmit the movement of the crankshaft and coordinate other accessories. But how do you spot a car belt malfunction ? What are the signs we recommend you keep track of and monitor?
Unfortunately, it is very difficult to establish ex ante what the “right” timing belt longevity is: some suppliers provide approximate “dates”, with mileage or replacement periods that can vary considerably from manufacturer to manufacturer.
In short, trying to take stock of the supposed “expiration” moment of the drive belt’s effectiveness is not at all easy and unfortunately the confusion in this regard is truly remarkable and replacing it can become an arduous and stressful task.
Let's clarify some points.
Belt breakage: possible causes
Remember that possible oil leaks from the oil seal could damage the belt and it is therefore advisable to try to correct any defects that could compromise any intervention on the timing belt.
Furthermore, it will be necessary to carefully evaluate the noise level of the bearings where the belt slides and the quality of the other elements, to understand if there are oil or coolant leaks.
Subsequently, it could be useful to be able to proceed, with the help of experienced eyes, to check the condition of the belt : although this direct observation may not be sufficiently reassuring, it is possible to intercept any anomalous signs of wear. Finally, remember that it is necessary to try to weigh the correct belt tension: in case of too high a tension, in fact, system noise problems cannot be ruled out, so pay attention to the belt tensioner.
Timing belt: after how many km should you change it
Understanding how long it takes to change the belt can be a difficult task, especially now that belts no longer make as much noise as they used to and so you don't notice the possible defect when driving.
A good starting point is certainly represented by reading the use and maintenance manual of your vehicle, where there are normally two parameters that aim to become the reference replacement intervals, with use in normal conditions and use in difficult conditions. When reading these two terms of reference, you will probably notice that the divergence between belt wear under normal conditions and under difficult conditions can vary considerably.
Naturally, to know when to change a timing belt, it is not enough to consult the terms of reference provided by the manufacturer. You should try to pay special attention to monitoring the use of your vehicle, determining for example which types of roads are frequently traveled by the customer (motorway, city, etc.).
However, establishing general parameters, we can state that the belt must be replaced between 100,000 and 180,000 km or after 5 or 6 years of use.
Cost of a good timing belt
But how much can a good timing belt cost? In our online store you will find several types of bracelets, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. Among the various brands available are PRO-ROPE, PI BELT and all the exclusive lines of OPTIBELT automotive belts.
