Do you need a timing belt to start a car?
Do you need a timing belt to start a car?
For starters, your car won’t run without a timing belt. Your timing belt rotates your car’s engine’s cam and crankshaft. This allows each cylinder to fire at the right time. If this timing is off, the engine will not run smoothly if it is even able to run at all.
What does the timing belt on a car do?
In more recently manufactured vehicles, the timing belt is a rubber belt that synchronizes the actions of the camshaft and crankshaft to keep your valves safely moving and your engine running. In older vehicles, the timing belt may actually be a chain.
What to do if your timing belt won’t turn over?
When you turn the key, you might hear the starter motor engage, but since the timing belt operates the crank and camshaft, it will not turn over. Obviously, if the car won’t start, a phone call to a mechanic is usually the first step.
Do you have to change timing belt and water pump at same time?
Very often, while the technician has your car in bits, it makes sense for them to carry out other jobs, which makes it more expensive in the short run but should save you over time. On some engines, it’s recommended having the water pump replaced at the same time as the timing belt because you have to take one off to get to the other.
How much does it cost to replace a timing belt?
The cost of replacing the timing belts very heavily depends on the make and model of the vehicle that you’re driving, as well as the mechanic you take it to. Some timing belt replacements could be as cheap as $300 to $500 to get done, while others can stretch to upwards of $1,400 to $2,000.
In more recently manufactured vehicles, the timing belt is a rubber belt that synchronizes the actions of the camshaft and crankshaft to keep your valves safely moving and your engine running. In older vehicles, the timing belt may actually be a chain.
Can a bad timing belt cause engine damage?
However, if the issue is due to the timing belt being broken, it may also result in other internal engine compartment damage. In many cases, the timing belt will break while the engine is running.
When did timing chains start to be used in cars?
Timing chains were the norm for cars produced in the 1970s and 1980s but then timing belts took over. However, they have been more widely used in recent years as they are more durable than timing belts.
How often do timing belts need to be replaced?
When does a timing belt need replacing? These need changing usually every 30,000 to 60,000 miles or every five years, whichever comes first. That’s because timing belts suffer a lot of abuse, operate in a hot sometimes dirty environment and can wear prematurely.
