ALT-1 What is a Timing Belt
Timing belt, or timing chain, both are critical for operation of your engine, and if it should break, you will realize it via cost for repairs that can arise from the damage the loss of a timing belt can cause. The belt has to be precisely positioned so that it corresponds to the position of the valves in each cylinder so that that fire up at exactly the right time.
With todays cars, it is a more complicated process as most are equipped with a totally different kind of a system than with cars of the past. The older cars had a rotor cap that held the spark plug wires in place, and as the rotor turned, the spark would fire for the right cylinders if properly timed.
If the rotor was set past the "0" point in either direction, engine performance suffers greatly. Quite often the older cars had timing chains that when they would break, you knew right away something happened. But with the newer cars, the timing belt is made of extremely durable rubber, and turns the camshaft at half the speed of the crankshaft. The inside part of the belt has grooves that sit in the grooves of the components pulleys it drives.
The crankshaft makes two revolutions as opposed to one of the camshaft. The intake and exhaust vales open and close in time as the pistons move up and down, and the valves have to open and close at the exact time relative to the pistons in order for the engine to run right.As the camshaft and the crankshaft turns, the belt ensures proper alignment as its absolutely necessary for the engines timing.
A big problem with these belts is that unless you replace them after so many miles, usually about 70,000 miles or so, you can be sure that soon after, you might find yourself at the mercy of needing a tow, and worse, a very costly repair. Many cars suffer engine damage as a result, and in many instances require an engine replacement.
Anytime you have work done, such as a water pump, or anything relative to uncovering what hides the timing belt, the belt should be replaced as well. This also is a good idea if you are replacing the belt as a precaution for failure to replace the water pump or anything else that can be done at the time of replacing the belt.
The idea is to get two or three jobs done for the price of one labor charge, plus a few more bucks for a little added labor to replace the other parts. The other added cost of course would be the parts themselves. This will prove very cost effective later on. The problem with a broken belt is that you don't know it until it's too late. You try to start the engine, and it might sputter and run a second or two, and then die.
This is what will cause a lot of damage to the engine. So as a precaution, replace the belt after so many miles. It's the only way to prevent a huge cost for repairs later on.
