A timing belt is a toothed belt that connects the engine’s crankshaft to the camshaft. Its purpose is to ensure that the engine’s valves open and close at the proper time in relation to the position of the pistons. It is also responsible for making sure that the crankshaft’s rotation is twice that of the camshaft.
The timing belt is usually made of reinforced rubber and is subject to wear and tear over time. To avoid engine damage, it should be replaced at the manufacturer’s recommended intervals or as soon as you observe certain abnormalities in your vehicle.
How will you tell when it is worn out and have to be replaced? Here are 4 signs of a bad or failing timing belt:
Terrible Engine Performance
A timing belt ensures that the crankshaft and camshaft are in sync with each other. If it is worn out, it can cause the valves to open and close earlier or later than they should. This may have an adverse effect on engine performance.
Strange Engine Noises
Whenever you hear uncommon engine noises, something could be terribly off with the timing belt. If it is torn or worn out, it may cause the engine to produce strange noises.
Excessive Exhaust Smoke
If it is worn out, it may no longer accurately control the timing of the engine’s valves, causing them to open and close at the wrong time. This will push excess fuel into the cylinders, making the engine run rich and expel an unusually high amount of smoke.
Check Engine Light
A malfunction in the engine or any of its components can lead to the check engine light coming on. This could mean that there is an issue with the timing belt. In some extreme cases, the check engine light can start blinking. This means that you should stop driving as soon as possible.
