Vehicles that have a timing belt installed benefit greatly from the fact that timing belts are essentially maintenance-free and do not need to be adjusted during their service life. However, they also bear the brunt of the high temperatures found inside the engine compartment and constant bending. They are subjected to heavy stress and therefore wear out over time. In addition, the material they are made of ages.
The change intervals depend on several factors
For this reason, a timing belt should be checked and/or replaced at regular intervals. The intervals are specified by the vehicle manufacturer depending on the make and model. Only with regular maintenance can potential problems be detected early. If the timing belt is not checked sufficiently, it can wear too much and eventually break or fail due to mechanical failure while the engine is running. The result: valves and pistons of the engine collide and can cause serious damage to the engine.
The replacement interval depends on many factors, such as the type of belt, the engine version and the respective vehicle model. The same combination of belt and engine in a different model can have completely different change intervals. This can be caused, for example, by a different installation position or different transmission and engine compartment requirements.
Comply with vehicle manufacturer's specifications
When replacing the timing belt, all accessories must also be replaced. This is because the belt drive components are also exposed to extreme loads such as vibrations and speed fluctuations throughout the entire service life of the timing belt. When replacing the belt, it is advisable to observe all necessary instructions provided by the vehicle manufacturer, including the tightening torques of all accessories.
As timing belt drive systems have become more complex, it is essential for the synchronous drive of the engine that the new belt is installed and tensioned correctly. If, for example, the correct tools are not used during installation or the tensioner is not set correctly, the life of the timing belt will be severely affected and premature failure is possible.
