An Expert Guide to Timing Belts for Students in Mechanic Colleges

The features of the automotive engine have remained largely consistent in recent decades, and the timing belt remains one of the most essential parts. This rubber belt helps the engine to combust effectively and gets the vehicle moving as a result. Its constant rotation means that maintenance is vital and replacing the timing belt can be a time-consuming job.

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Ignoring the problem is not an option, however. A malfunctioning timing belt can cause catastrophic damage to the engine, which may lead to a necessary, and very expensive, replacement. Mechanics regularly work on timing belt repairs, so here’s a useful guide on what to consider.

A Closer Look at the Mechanical Importance of the Timing Belt

The timing belt is a crucial linkage in the engine and it’s set in motion by the rotation of the crankshaft. The belt connects the crankshaft to the vehicle’s camshaft so that both rotations sync up correctly. The camshaft works to make sure that the intake and exhaust valves on top of the cylinders open and close effectively to allow for air intake and the escape of burned air after combustion.

The belt itself is flat on top but grooved underneath so that it can fit snugly into the grooves of the crankshaft and camshaft. Graduates of a mechanic program know those grooves perform a critical purpose in holding the belt in the correct position so that all the shafts are moving in sync with each other. A malfunctioning timing belt can cause severe damage if it’s ignored.

The Common Timing Belt Problems to Be Aware of During Auto Mechanic Courses

It’s highly recommended that drivers don’t wait for a problem to occur before getting the timing belt replaced. This is a part which requires ongoing care, and each manufacturer has specific recommendations on when a new version should be fitted. Typically, this means replacing the belt every 50,000 to 80,000 kilometres due to stretching and other types of wear.

Slippage of the timing belt can cause serious damage, particularly in interference engines. When this happens, the combustion process becomes out of sync, meaning that the pistons crash into open valves in the cylinders. The consequent bending of pistons is disastrous because it usually requires a full engine replacement. Timing belt replacement is also a time-consuming job, but not nearly as expensive as a full engine rebuild. Mechanics often use it as an opportunity to also replace the vehicle’s water pump, because this part also needs to be removed during timing belt repairs.

The Timing Belt Alternatives that Are Common in Modern Vehicles

Timing belts aren’t found in all modern engines, and it’s very likely you’ll come across timing chains after training at mechanic colleges. Timing chains had gone out of fashion due to their increased noise and manufacturing costs, but are making a resurgence in the automotive world. They replicate the mechanical purpose of the timing belt by synchronising the rotation of the crankshaft and camshafts.

The presence of interference and non-interference engines is also significant to timing belt maintenance. A malfunctioning belt in an interference engine can cause piston damage which is highly expensive to repair. Non-interference engines don’t suffer the same damage, but they still shut down if the belt becomes damaged.

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Synchro-Link® Timing Belts

When synchronization of the driveN and driveR speed is required, Synchro-Link® Timing Belts give unsurpassed efficiency, economy, and performance and are available in both inch (RMA) and metric dimensions. Bando timing belts offer these advantages:

• Popular Profiles – Available in the high torque, low noise STS profile, the widely used HT curvilinear profile and the traditional Trapezoidal profile.
• Non-Slip, Positive Performance — Belt-pulley compatibility and close manufacturing tolerances assure those belt teeth mesh precisely with pulley grooves for constant output speed without skipping, vibration or speed variation.
• Extremely energy efficient - Studies by the US Department of Energy have found that synchronous belt drives are over 99% energy efficient, leading to lower operating costs.
• Low Maintenance/Economical Operation — Because timing belts do not require re-tensioning and, unlike gears or chain, require no lubrication, they are ideal for applications where maintenance is difficult and downtime is costly.
• Low Tension Requirements — The “tooth grip” principle of timing belts does not require high tension, so bearing loads are minimized, resulting in longer bearing and motor life.
• Wide Range of Load Capacities and Speeds — Design versatility makes timing belts the right choice for a variety of applications. Speeds can range from 1 to over 10,000 RPM; load carrying capacity can vary from fractional to hundreds of horsepower.
• Space and Weight Savings — Drives are compact because pulleys are small and center distances are short. Per horsepower transmitted, timing belts weigh only a fraction of alternative methods.
• Clean, Quiet Operation — Noise and vibration are kept to a minimum. A clean operation is ideal for contamination sensitive machines.

Synchro-Link® Super Torque Timing Belts

Due to its high power transmission capabilities, quiet, smooth running tooth meshing qualities, energy efficiency, and reliability, the STS tooth profile is widely recognized by automotive design engineers as the preferred belt for overhead cam applications in most late model cars and trucks. These same qualities make this generation of synchronous belts ideal for today’s high performance industrial applications.

As the tooth meshes with the pulley groove, the cord lay forms an almost true circle, minimizing the cantilever effect on the cords, resulting in reduced bending fatigue and longer service life.

Smooth tooth engagement and direct contact with the belt tooth and the pulley groove enable the belt to run quietly, even at high speeds.

For more information, please visit Audi Timing Belt Replacement.