Can a timing belt just snap?
When the belt fails it is unlikely to actually snap, instead it is more likely that the teeth of the belt will break off. The following is a good animation from YouTube of an engine which shows how the timing belt operates and is connected to the valves by the camshafts.
How do I know if my cam belt has snapped?
Symptoms Of A Failing Or Broken Timing Belt
- You Hear Odd Noises Coming From The Engine.
- Your Check Engine Light Is On And Flashing.
- Your Car Starts Hard And Occasionally Misfires.
- You Notice A Loss Of Power And Your Car Runs Or Idles More Roughly Than Normal.
Can you drive a car with a broken cam belt?
A bad timing belt is just one of the many reasons your engine might not start. You can’t exactly ignore this problem if your car won’t start then you can’t drive it. However, if the timing belt breaks while you are driving you will definitely notice and there will almost certainly be additional damage to your engine.
What happens if my timing belt breaks while I’m driving?
If a timing belt breaks, the engine will no longer work. If a timing belt breaks while driving in an interference engine, the camshaft stops turning leaving some of the engine valves in the open position. The heavier crankshaft will continue rotating by inertia, moving pistons up and down.
How likely is a timing belt to snap?
It’s also possible that if your timing belt were to snap while you’re driving you could have a one-in-a-million chance to suffer no damage at all just because the timing was so lucky. this is definitely not the kind of thing you want to bet on though because it’s almost completely unheard of.
What happens if a cam belt snaps while driving?
If the cam belt snaps while you’re driving, it could be very dangerous. The engine could seize up, causing steering and brakes to fail. The pistons can hit the valves in the cylinders, damaging the engine. A non-interference or free-wheeling engine won’t suffer as much damage, but still might sustain some.
What happens if you snap your timing belt?
If the timing belt snaps, they run into each other, causing bent valves (most common), cylinder head or camshaft damage, and possibly piston and cylinder wall damage.
Can a cam belt crack if not replaced?
Unless they’re “wet belts”, cam belts can dry out and crack over time if they’re not replaced. Does your car have a cam belt or a chain? Whether your car has a timing belt or a timing chain depends on the make and model.
Why did my drive belt snap when moving off?
It sounds like the pulley belt that charges the alternator, possibly drives the power steering possibly the water pump and a fan has gone. Your Haynes will show what it powered. I don’t know your car but if I were you I would, as suggested, replace the belt, charge the battery and start it up and see what, if anything, is still amiss.