How to tell if timing belt still original or has been changed?
Answered in 2 hours by: There are two ways to tell if the timing belt has been replaced. One is obvious- you are looking at a service receipt showing the replacement. the other way would be to remove the first timing belt cover (the one closest to the radiator) .
What was the original purpose of the timing belt?
Surprisingly enough the original concept of the timing belt was for Singer sewing machines to synchronize the needle and bobbin drives. Originally made of a band with metal clips this proved to be expensive and noisy, in 1945 Singer in conjunction with Uniroyal which is now Gates Inc. developed the timing belt.
How many miles can you go on a timing belt?
Most manufacturers state that going more than 80,000 to 90,000 miles on the original belt is flirting with danger. This seems to be very straight forward and easy to comprehend but here is what the manufacturers do not tell you.
Do you need lubrication for a timing belt?
Enter the timing belt. Timing belts are quiet, their production costs are relatively less than chains and sprockets, and they are light and needs no lubrication to function. The downside is that belts need to be replaced at specific mileage or time limits.
How can I tell which timing belt I have?
The first step in identifying which timing belt that you have is to look for identifying numbers and/or letters marked on the timing belt. These numbers indicate a standard trade size and will help in identifying the specifics of the cog belt.
When did the first timing belt come out?
Originally made of a band with metal clips this proved to be expensive and noisy, in 1945 Singer in conjunction with Uniroyal which is now Gates Inc. developed the timing belt. Now to all you guys from the 50’s and 60’s typically every engine had a timing chain.
How often do timing belts need to be replaced?
Timing chains do not need to be replaced as often as timing belts, but they do tend to be more expensive to replace if they every need servicing. Your vehicle’s repair manual will be able to tell you what type of engine you have, as in timing belt or timing chain.
Is there a way to tell how old a car belt is?
Yes there is. A lot of belts have print on them or white line markings. These wear off over time, typically after about 70k miles. While it’s not foolproof, it is an indicator you can use if the belt isn’t real old. You will have to remove the timing belt cover to visually inspect the entire belt.