How can I tell if my timing belt needs to be replaced?

The most common signs that your timing belt needs to be replaced include:

1. Ticking noise from under the hood when the engine is running.
2. The engine doesn’t start.
3. The engine misfiring while driving.
4. Oil leaking from the front-side of where the motor is under the hood.
5. Hydroplaning while driving in wet weather conditions.

What does it sound like when your timing belt is going bad?

A failing bad timing belt sounds like a ticking noise in front of your car when it starts wearing out. If the belt eventually breaks, it will give a whining noise when trying to start the engine. A whining noise sounds like no compression in the engine.

What happens if your timing is too advanced?

Overheating. If ignition timing is too far advanced, it will cause the fuel-and-air mixture to ignite too early in the combustion cycle. This can cause the amount of heat generated by the combustion process to increase and lead to overheating of the engine.

What happens when the timing is off?

If the engine timing of the cam is off, your car will either be running rough or not at all. If the ignition timing is the problem, it isn’t as easy to notice because it has four cycles: Intake valve sucks in air while fuel is delivered by the injectors. The fuel mixture is reduced.

What are the symptoms of a bad timing belt?

Shaking. Timing belts have teeth to grab onto the gears that rotate different parts of the engine.

High Pitch Squeal. Much like your brakes when they wear thin,you will start to notice a high pitch squeal when you start or run the engine.

Exhaust Issues. Excessive smoke coming from your tailpipe can be hard to diagnose as we roll into winter.

What are the effects of a bad timing belt?

Strange Ticking Noises Various pulleys help sustain the rotation effect of the timing belt. There are several other components around it while this is happening.

Reduced Oil Pressure The timing belt is positioned very close to the oil pan.

Engine Stalling Bad timing belts lose their teeth.

How can you tell if your timing belt is bad?

A bad tensioner will usually be accompanied by noise. This noise could be some type of squealing or rattling coming from the timing cover area. Also, when your timing belt is loose, it will cause some drivability issues usually under high load or high rpm.

What causes a timing belt to break or go bad?

Misalignment. Misalignment is one of the main causes of the timing belt drive failure and can cause a broken timing belt.

Excessive Load.

Under-tensioned Belt.

Weak Drive Structure.

Damaged or worn pulleys.

Debris in the timing pulley or drive.