Jan 27, 2020
Your car’s timing chain/timing belt can be found at the front of the engine. It is made of a strong rubber material with nylon-reinforced cords, which allows the timing belt’s lifespan to be preserved.
When a timing chain is moving it is put under a lot of stress, which results in it wearing out quickly. The car manufacturer will recommend how often you need to replace your timing chain. If you hold off on not replacing your timing belt it can cause a lot of damage to your engine, resulting in you paying out more money for repairs.
If you think you’re experiencing issues with your timing belt, whether it’s gone bad or is starting to wear out, here are some tell-tale signs you need to look out for.
During the colder months, it can be hard to tell if the smoke coming from the exhaust is harmless or not, but if you see too much smoke that looks unusual even for the winter, then you could have a timing chain problem.
One of the worst symptoms a car owner can experience is having the timing belt cut off or broken completely. In this case, the crankshaft will end up turning on its own and not be in sync with the camshaft. When this happens, the piston will meet the valves as they open, which can result in bent valves or a damaged piston.
Timing chains have teeth, which are designed to grip gears as they rotate various engine parts and components. When these teeth weaken, the timing chain will slip away from the gears. When the teeth then fall onto the gears, they will form a jolt in the engine. This then results in the engine idling as the camshaft timing is off.
The fire rate of the engine can become jeopardised by a worn-out timing chain. The timing belt will begin to slip away from the gears and fall onto the camshaft, one of the cylinders will open and close too soon. If this happens, engine misfire will occur and means your timing belt needs changed right away.
Having to replace your car’s timing belt is something all car owners dread, the average cost for a timing chain replacement in the UK is around £250-£450. As always, the price will depend on the age, make and model of your vehicle and can increase if the timing belt has done more damage than once thought.
If you need a timing chain replacement, why not get quotes from mechanics in your area with MyCarNeedsA.com?
