The timing belt is a drive that can break without warning. For this reason, it is necessary to constantly monitor its condition. But do not lose sight of the pump with rollers.
The timing belt is used on most vehicles. Today it is rare to find an engine that uses a chain drive. The advantage of the belt is that it does not require lubrication, it is easier to replace, and the service life is the same as that of the chain, if not longer. But most importantly, a car engine with a timing belt runs much quieter than its chain counterpart.
Motorists try to monitor the condition of the timing belt, since the integrity of the engine depends on it. By the way, most modern car engines do not have valve recesses in the pistons. This only means that when the belt breaks, the valves will go to the lower position. The pistons, moving by inertia, will make a huge blow to the valves. And the breakage of the belt will end with the repair of the cylinder head, and sometimes replacement.
How often do you change the timing belt?
Most manufacturers recommend changing the belt at least after 60 thousand kilometers. This is the normal range for a quality belt. Low-quality specimens can break even after a thousand kilometers. If you are not sure about the reliability of the belt or the timing mechanism, then check the condition of the belt every 10-15 thousand kilometers.
For the Skoda Octavia, for example, the manufacturer recently recommended replacing the belt every 90 thousand kilometers. Today this figure has dropped to 60. Particularly lazy risk-loving drivers continue to change the belt when they run under a hundred. But this is not entirely reasonable, because the numbers in the recommendations have decreased for a reason. This was influenced by many years of research on car engines. In other words, a lot of belts were torn before he turned 90 thousand.
If we talk about the domestic auto industry, then Lada Priora, one of the latest models of AvtoVAZ, needs a belt replacement after 200 thousand kilometers! The figure is huge, for some it is generally unattainable. And the reason for this is the wider belt, it is twice as wide as on tens or nines. On the latter, by the way, it is better to change the strap with a run of 45-60 thousand. But if you drive very little, then for your own peace of mind, change it every two years. Rubber dries up anyway, cracks, its structure collapses.
What to look for when replacing the belt
Not only the belt will have to be replaced. The tension roller also requires replacement, and if the engine is 16-valve, then the support one. The rollers are either completely made of metal or made of plastic with metal. They all have pros and cons, someone will argue that metal is eternal, it is difficult to break it. Difficult, but quite real.
And just imagine what would happen if such a video jammed. Most importantly, the belt will break immediately. That is why it is better to use metal rollers with a plastic insert. If it breaks, then at least it won't jam. Also try to change the coolant pump along with the belt. Its resource slightly exceeds the resource of the roller and belt.
However, you can change the pump with every second timing kit. But if you notice that the edge of the belt begins to eat up, then blame everything on the pump bearing, which has a backlash. But most importantly, watch the belt tension. Its service life depends on this. If the tension is insufficient or excessive, the teeth will wear off, the load on the belt will increase.
