Key Takeaways
The following are the key takeaways from this article:
- A timing belt is a normal belt designed to translate the motion of the crankshaft to the camshaft in a synchronized manner.
- The major components of an engine’s timing system comprise a timing belt, cam pulley, idler, tensioning pulley, crankshaft pulley, and water pump.
- The common problems in a timing belt can be its misalignment, excessive loading, and dirt and debris in different components of the timing belt.
- You can observe a ticking engine sound, a hard engine start, and oil leaks when the timing belt goes bad.
- The timing belt can be replaced for between $200-400, and the additional labor cost.
Introduction
The name of the timing belt illustrates its function. The engineers have designed this belt to synchronize the movement of the crankshaft and camshaft.
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When the crankshaft rotates, the camshaft will rotate so that the inlet valves open and the air-fuel mixture is injected into the cylinder. Similarly, the exhaust valve opens during another rotation, dissipating exhaust gases. The timing belt is designed to ensure that the camshaft rotates at approximately half the speed of the crankshaft. So, if the crankshaft is rotating at a speed of 3000 RPM, then the camshaft will rotate at a speed of 1500 RPM. In a four-stroke engine, the camshaft will take two crankshaft movements to complete its one cycle due to the timing belt. The functions, parts, history, and issues of timing belts will be discussed in this article.
History of Timing Belts
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The timing Belt is an essential component in a vehicle’s engine, and it was first designed in 1940 by Devin Panhard. The timing belt is the toothed face, and the initial experiments were performed in the textile mills. Later in 1954, the Glimmer Company used these timing belts in a racing car.
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The purpose of the timing belt is to synchronize the camshaft’s movement with the crankshaft’s motion. The vehicle’s engine has multiple components; one of the major components is the crankshaft (1). Along with the crankshaft, multiple pistons move in a circular motion. This crankshaft is attached to the camshaft and is responsible for opening and closing the valves of the engine. These valves let the air and fuel enter the combustion chamber, and thus the spark is ignited. So it is necessary to connect the crankshaft with the camshaft so valves can be opened and closed on time.
The function of Timing Belts
Timing belts are the most suitable and appropriate method to develop the connection between the camshaft and crankshaft. Before the invention of the timing belt, the engine gears were used to synchronize the motion of the crankshaft with the camshaft, but this method could have been more efficient, and the engine’s performance could have been better (1).
Also, the vibration was observed in the vehicles, and loud noises were observed. Thus, with the invention of the timing belt, a shift was found in the design and performance of the engine. The life of the timing belt is long and durable.
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Initially, the timing belts were made of metal, but with modernization, in technology, the timing belts are made of rubber as it is light in weight. There is a toothed shape design on the rubber belt connected to the crankshaft and camshafts. The purpose of the timing belt in the engine is to smoothen the combustion process, as the timing belt is involved in the opening and closing of the valves (2). Also, it helps in generating the required amount of pressure in the oil and water pumps. Other than it, it stops the pistons from hitting the valves. Thus, it protects both the valves and pistons from getting damaged.
Components of the Timing System of an Engine
The following are some important components of the timing belt:
Cam Pulley
Cam pulley is an important component of the timing system that controls the camshaft’s speed. Depending upon the engine configurations, it can be pivotally or radially connected with the timing chain.
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The Cam pulley is further connected with the poppet valves through a timing belt controlling the intake of air and exhaust gases in the cylinder. Cam pulley is usually made up of cast iron or aluminum alloys (where weight reduction is a priority) because it is a high-performance part that experiences significant engine wear (2). Therefore, when replacing the timing chain, it is better to ensure that the cam pulley is in good condition.
Idler
An idler is another important component of a timing belt that keeps the belt in the correct position. The idlers are small pulleys inside the engine, and their number can vary depending on the length and size of the timing chain (3).
Idler is also an important component as it ensures that the maximum number of teeth of the timing belt is engaged when the engine is transmitting high power output. Another idler function is alleviating unwanted engine vibrations created by the timing belt.
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Tensioning Pulley
Depending upon the type of engine, the tensioning pulley can either be spring tension or hydraulic pressure pulley. This pulley’s purpose is to properly tension the system so the crankshaft can easily rotate the camshaft with it.
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Further, tensioning the pulley also smoothens the timing belt’s rotation, so they are installed from the sagging side. It is recommended to adjust the tension of the pulley to avoid wear and tear on the timing belt kit (1). Certain changes in load and temperature can also result in sagging or tightening of the timing chain, so the tensioning pulley can be adjusted to ensure seamless movement of the belt.
Crankshaft Pulley
It is a groove-shaped part connected directly to the car’s crankshaft. The crankshaft pulley maintains the harmonic balance and converts the linear/reciprocating motion of the pistons into the rotational motion.
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The timing belt is attached to the crankshaft pulley that drives the belt and the engine’s camshaft. Therefore the crankshaft pulley transmits mechanical power to the timing belt, and the camshaft eventually rotates the car wheels through the flywheel.
Water Pump
The rigorous motion of the engine components requires the coolant to be rotated around different components. This prevents the damage to the components from direct overheating. Although there are air-cooled engines, larger engines are mostly liquid-cooled, and the timing belt plays a role in rolling water/coolant through the streams (4). So, the heat is transferred to the radiator, which is then released into the atmosphere. The water pump and the timing belt, help in a seamless flow of coolant around the engine that alleviates excess heat.
Common Problems in Timing Belt
Misalignment
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The major problem that impacts the engine’s performance is the timing belt’s misalignment. The misalignment can lead to the failure of the timing belt. In addition, the timing belt will face stress and tension due to misplacement.
The rotation of the camshafts and the crankshafts will then not be aligned, and thus the valves are not opened and closed at accurate timings (2). Due to these issues, the air-to-fuel ratio in the combustion chamber will be disturbed, and the spark will not be ignited on time. This impacts the engine’s performance and causes the vehicle’s acceleration to deteriorate. Other than it, the check engine light will also be indicated as a warning signal (1). Also, due to an improper combustion process, the engine’s temperature will increase, and this problem can lead to engine failure.
Excessive load
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Excessive load on the timing belt is another reason for the timing belt failure. Due to overload, the timing belt will wear out before time because of excessive tension. This issue usually occurs when the timing belt becomes too hard and faces issues during the movement.
Because of this issue, less power will be generated, and the vehicle’s performance will become poor.
Other than that, if the engine’s noise and vibrations are observed, the timing belt is under tension. This hampers the performance of the timing belt, and the valves are not opened and closed on accurate timings (5). This not only affects the engine’s health but also creates noises in the engine.
Dirt and Debris in Timing Belts
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The other major problem that can impact the performance of the timing belt is the dirt and debris accumulated in the timing belt. Dirt on the timing belt can generate plenty of issues for the pulleys.
The dirt accumulated on the teeth can damage the belt because rough strokes of the toothed part will damage the timing belt. Also, the oil on the timing belts can damage the timing belts. The damaged timing belt can destroy the engine badly (5). This is because the rough opening and closing of the valves will let the dust and air enter the chamber and clog the filters. Thus, it is necessary to maintain the performance of the timing belt; otherwise, the engine will become rough and idle and will fail to travel long distances. Also, the warning light will be indicated to indicate the error with the timing belt (1).
Symptoms of a Bad Timing Belt
Following are some common symptoms of a bad timing belt:
Ticking Noise from the Engine
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A ticking noise from the engine can indicate that some component is malfunctioning and something is seriously wrong with the timing belt. The timing belt, as discussed above, has some important components.
The ticking sound can indicate that either the timing belt is failing or the components to which this belt is attached are malfunctioning. In some engines, low oil pressure can also result in a ticking noise as the components are not lubricated enough (3). However, the oil pressure drop light will display on the vehicle’s cluster meter when the oil pressure is low. So, you should check the timing belt and its component when the engine is making a ticking noise and there is no pressure drop signal on the cluster meter.
The engine would not start.
As discussed above that the engine operates properly due to the timing belt. The timing belt synchronizes the cam and valve movements with the crankshaft movement.
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So, if the timing belt is broken, there is a chance that the engine will not turn on. In this case, you will hear the starter motor, but the camshaft will not rotate, and the engine will not turn on.
It is important to check the belt tension and condition during service maintenance (2). If the belt breaks down during driving, it can exert pressure on the cylinder head and other components, such as the rocker’s arm, push roads, valves, etc., causing severe damage to the engine.
Engine Oil Leak
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If the timing belt is worn out, you might experience oil around your engine. A vehicle experiencing a leak is due to a bad timing belt cover.
The belt cover can be loose, resulting in oil leakage around the engine. A bad gasket also leaks engine oil from the cylinder (4). So, you have to analyze the actual issue causing the engine oil leak from the engine.
Conclusion
To conclude, the timing belt is an important component of the engine, without which the engine would not even start. It transmits the motion of the crankshaft to the camshaft in a synchronized manner so that the respective valves open and close according to the crankshaft movement. In this way, the engine delivers optimum power to the vehicle. However, if you are experiencing a ticking engine sound or engine oil leak along with irregular RPMs, then there is a chance that the timing belt has gone bad and might need replacement.
FAQs
You can consult your vehicle’s instruction manual to check the mileage, after which the timing belt needs replacement. In case you are sensing a ticking sound from the engine along with irregular RPMs, then there is a chance that the timing belt has gone bad and needs replacement. It would help if you replaced the timing belt before it breaks down during driving, causing internal engine component damage.
Like all other belts, a timing belt is generally made of neoprene rubber. However, the structure of the belt is further reinforced with corded fibers and fabric covering to enhance the strength of tension members. Other components, such as the tension pulley, crankshaft pulley, etc., are components of the engine’s timing system that are made of steel, cast iron, or aluminum alloys.
The engine oil leak can also be due to a bad gasket that seals the cylinder and engine block. Similarly, a worn-out engine oil reservoir cap can also result in leaks. Finally, if the engine oil is leaking with a ticking engine sound, then there is a chance that the timing belt has gone bad.
