Timing belts are rubber, and even though the modern timing belts of today have a long-lasting mileage life, it is still possible that your might need a replacement. The timing belts of today integrate materials that are incredibly durable and strong. Regardless of their fibrous and Nitrile qualities, they are still predominantly rubber.
Rubber will naturally start to show wear after a couple of years, and this deterioration process speeds up under heat and stress. Both of which are common in a frequently running engine. Therefore, you should not be surprised if your car mechanics points to a belt replacement.
Replacing a timing belt in your car is very costly, and this is why some people opt not to invest in a timing belt replacement. However, it is always advisable to replace it when there is a requirement. This is because you do not want to run the risk of damaging your car’s engine.
What Are the Indications?
It is rather difficult to tell whether your car needs a timing belt replacement. The Most probable indicator is the mileage. If your car is old and has thousands of miles on it, this is a good sign that you should be looking at a replacement.
All the timing belts come with mileage specifications, however, these specifications are not that important. This is because apart from mileage, the rubber will also wear because of its aging process. Therefore, regardless of how much mileage your car has, if it is more than ten years old, then you should be looking at a timing belt replacement.
Should you get a Timing Belt Replacement?
If the rubber belt cracks and in the worst-case scenario, breaks, then the piston will fall and do plenty of damage inside the engine. This however does not apply to a non-interference engine. Most of the Toyota’s are non-interference, and in these engines, if the belt breaks there will be no damage, but the car will stop working.
Therefore, if you have a noninterference engine, and you don’t feel like spending too much money despite the indications, then you can do so at the risk of running into an engine halt. However, if you have a more modern engine, then it is likely to have a timing chain.
Timing Chain Replacement?
Timing chains will last you the time of your engine, and the only time they will cause any damage is when you are reckless with your car’s lubrication. If you keep replacing the oil every year or so, then you will not need to get any timing chain replacement and it will last forever. Unlike rubber, the metals in the timing chain do not deteriorate.
Before you purchase a car, make sure that you know whether it has a timing belt or a timing chain. If you forget to ask the dealer, the best way to find out is to look at the camshaft covers, and if they are metallic and packed, this indicates a timing chain.
