

Instead, many modern vehicles use a chain system instead, which unlike timing belts are not prone to snapping and don’t require regular replacement at regular intervals. You should bear in mind that not all vehicles actually utilize a timing belt. The timing belt controls the timing of the crankshaft and camshafts (hence it sometimes being referred to as a cam belt). There are hundreds of moving parts in your car’s engine, and it's crucial that they all work in time. Timing belts work to keep your engine in sync. Timing belts, also known as cam belts, are a completely different beast altogether. Alternatively, you might have one long belt that runs all three, which is called a serpentine belt. That means that an alternator belt is a type of drive belt.ĭepending on your vehicle, you might have one belt for each of these three systems. They are typically installed in a vehicle’s engine to run the alternator, power steering, or air conditioning. What’s With All The Different Belts?ĭrive belts and fan belts are the same thing.
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It also leads to a lot of confusion, when your last belt replacement cost you $80 and now you’re staring down the barrel of $1000 plus for the next one… You’ve probably heard of fan belts, cam belts, air con belts, alternator belts, power steering belts, drive belts, and serpentine belts. Your vehicle likely has a number of belts that keeps the car running.


Remove timing belt tensioner and idler pulleys.

Lock camshafts, as required, and note position of camshaft timing marks. Remove all accessories interfering with the removal of the timing belt covers.Once the engine is cold, set the crankshaft to top dead center with the number one piston on the compression stroke.How do mechanics replace the timing belt?Įngine designs vary, and thus the replacement procedure will vary, but broadly, the procedure is as follows: If your car has an interference engine, replacing the timing belt according to the maintenance schedule will minimize the chance that a belt failure will cause engine damage. These engine designs are referred to as interference engines. On some engines, if the timing belt has jumped, the pistons and valves can collide and there will be noise and damage. Should the belt jump, the engine will run poorly and perhaps not at all. After many tens of thousands of miles, the teeth can wear or break, or the belt can stretch, thus causing the belt to jump position on the crankshaft or camshaft gears. The molded, reinforced teeth on the timing belt engage gears on the crankshaft and camshafts. Occasionally, timing belts can break, or skip, while the engine is running. Engine stops abruptly or will not start.
#CHEAP TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT NEAR ME MANUAL#
Your vehicle owner’s manual should state the specific service interval. If an engine is equipped with a timing belt, the timing belt must be replaced at the service interval specified by the vehicle manufacturer regardless of whether or not any problem is visible, typically in the range of 60,000 to 90,000 miles.
