How do I know if my Cambelt has gone?
If it is becoming worn, the belt will appear to look glazed or glossy on the underside. This means the rubber is getting hard and will not provide the flexibility the belt needs. Some signs are much more obvious, such as cracking or fraying. Belts with that kind of damage should be replaced immediately.
What happens when a cam belt fails?
What happens if the timing belt breaks? If a timing belt breaks, the engine will no longer work. This may result in a heavy damage to the engine with broken or bent valves, damaged pistons and, possibly, destroyed cylinder head and block.
What causes cam belt to break?
Cars which are usually driven in countries which have a warm, dry climate will often have to have their timing belts replaced more often than those driven in more temperate climates. The dry air causes the rubber to become brittle more quickly and this can cause the belt to crack or snap.
What kind of noise does a bad timing belt make?
When a timing belt tensioner fails, it can result in a number of different symptoms. Symptom 1: Squealing, rattling, or chirping. When the tensioner or tensioner pulley fails, the loss of tension can cause the belt and pulleys to make high-pitched rattling or chirping noises.
How can you tell if your cam belt is broken?
Difficulty starting the car – if the vehicle does not start at all, but you hear the starter motor engaging, then the chances are the cam belt is broken. As the car starts, look to see if the crankshaft turns, whilst the camshaft remains stationary on starting, to confirm the belt is broken.
What should you do if your timing belt is bad?
Since the timing belt is so critical to the operation of your vehicle, if you notice this warning sign, you should contact a mechanic as soon as possible. 2. Engine won’t turn over If the timing belt has broken inside, the engine will not be able to turn over or ignite.
What should I do if my cambelt is making a noise?
If the belt is fairly new, yet is still making a noise, the driver should have the tension adjusted, but still have the belt visually checked for unusual wear. If there is an issue with the cambelt, your vehicle may not start at all.
When to renew timing chain and cam belt?
Regular scheduled maintenance. When manufacturers design and test engines they attribute a lifespan to different components with a decent safety margin built in. If you look in the service handbook of your car it will tell you when the timing chain or cambelt should be renewed. This is generally related to mileage, but also time.