Don’t let a functioning timing belt cause you to forgo maintenance – a quality timing belt can withstand so much, and are so well built, that it can be easy to tick over your km’s without realising you’ve passed your service interval. Ask any mechanic and they’ll tell you that the key to a healthy timing system is maintenance.
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Following OE vehicle recommendations, and having your mechanic perform maintenance checks, is far more cost effective in the long run than leaving your timing belt installed until it breaks (and breaks your engine with it!). Neglecting regular maintenance, including the replacement of your timing belt, can lead to complete engine replacement. Repairing an improperly maintained vehicle timing system, or one that has experienced damage due to timing belt failure, can potentially set you back thousands of dollars.
With this in mind, have you been following your belt replacement intervals? If not, it’s time to book in with your mechanic so that they can assess your engine and belt condition. Gates Australia have teamed up with one of our Australian suppliers, Sparesbox, to bring you up to speed on five signs that it’s time to replace your timing belt.
If your engine won’t fire up, it is obvious something’s not quite right, but identifying the culprit can be challenging. Did you know that it could very well be a worn-out timing belt? If so, you should be able to hear the starter motor when the ignition is on, even though the engine won’t turn over. Unfortunately, your engine may already be damaged at this stage, if it is the timing belt causing this issue. We recommend you call your mechanic immediately, or, if you’re broken down on the road or in a car park, your insurance company (if you’re not insured, you can call to get your car towed to the mechanic).
A functioning timing belt (although, yes, it’s to do with timing!) should not make a ticking noise. If you notice a ticking or clicking sound coming from your engine, the source could be a worn timing belt. A high-pitched screech or whirring upon starting the engine, when you’re accelerating, or when you’re idling, may also suggest it’s time to change your timing belt. While the noises could be caused by a number of other issues, they are nothing to be idle about. We recommend you take your car to a mechanic for a full diagnosis to prevent engine damage.
Bonus Tip: If you also notice some engine vibration (not the good vibes type), in addition to or alongside a ticking noise, this can also be an indication of a worn timing belt and it’s suggested you visit the mechanic in this case, too.
Is your engine running rough (you feel it shaking or bouncing when idling, making unusual sounds, or has inconsistent RPM counts)? Though there are a number of potential causes, the rough days may end if you replace your timing belt. Misfiring can also potentially result from your engine’s timing being jeopardised; the worn or loose timing belt slips, resulting in the cylinders opening and closing prematurely. Misfiring is a serious problem that should be addressed straight away. Ultimately, if you feel like your engine is running erratically, or it stops running all together, you should head to your local garage for help.
If your engine has slow acceleration (it feels less powerful than it should, or used to be) when it reaches between 2,000 and RPM, is rattling, or is making an unusual sound when revving, it could be an indication that your timing belt is loose or breaking down from old age. This can also be caused by belt slippage during acceleration at high RPMs, which is another indication that your timing belt may need to be replaced, as some of the belt teeth could be missing. We recommend going to your mechanic immediately.
If you’re noticing unusually heavy exhaust fumes, your timing belt could be the culprit. A worn timing belt overworks your engine, and the extra effort means that more exhaust is released. A large amount of excess exhaust is a strong sign that you may need to replace your timing belt ASAP. We recommend going to your mechanic and getting your engine checked before you continue to drive your vehicle.
Whether or not caused by your timing belt, if your engine is showing one of more of these five symptoms, you shouldn’t push your luck any longer. Hand your keys over to your mechanic, or, for newer cars, your vehicle manufacturer, and save yourself some potentially serious costs. A broken timing belt can cause your engine significant, sometimes irrevocable, damage, especially if you have an interference engine, which are common in modern cars of today. Remember, prevention is better – and, let’s face it, cheaper – than cure.In today’s article we provide some considerations when choosing your timing belt kit. Timing belt is a crucial system of the vehicle engine performance. It is responsible for synchronizing the movement of the crankshaft and the camshaft(s).
Commonly, when a timing belt fails, all the other parts around it also require replacement. Because of this reason, it is better to change not only the belt but also other engine parts such as the water pump and tensioner. It means a better and long-lasting repair, prevention of engine risks and savings for the pocket.
Buying a timing belt kit has been proved to reduce 50% of interventions and an estimated 5 hours of labor. That is, one box solution that contains all of the components required for an optimal timing belt replacement. Continue reading and learn how to choose the best timing belt kits for your application.
All-inclusive kits that contain everything you need for a professional repair: water pump with gasket when necessary, belt, pulleys, bearings and screws.
In order to cater the different needs of the market, timing belt kits are also available without a water pump.
Keep reading: 5 warning signs its time to replace the timing-belt
Ensuring that your vehicle has a strong and reliable engine is essential for safe and efficient driving. To achieve this, there are several key factors to consider when maintaining your vehicle’s engine. By taking care to address these critical aspects, you can help to extend the life of your engine and achieve optimal performance.
For more information, please visit Automotive Timing Belts.
Timing belt kit components must be compatible with your car engine. Timing belts can differ in strength, thickness and temperature resistance in relation to suiting specific vehicle needs. If you choose without checking compatibility, premature failure will potentially arise.
In order to do so, it is key to conduct research before selecting and ordering; by checking the part number and every specification that will ensure a proper fit in the engine. Accurate instructions also play an important role in securing an easy and safe installation of all parts involved.
Do not jeopardize quality for price matters, as this will negatively affect durability; raising the costs associated with fixings and reparations in the long term. A reliable performance is a must so, the investment will surely be worth it.
Best timing belt kits are those whose quality is at least equivalent to OE standard specifications regarding fit, functionality and performance indicators. Timing belt components must be tested under the same conditions as per OE specifications, with proven materials guaranteeing superior resistance against heat, pressure and external wear.
Dolz’s facilities are fully ISO certified in all the countries where it operates. With a guarantee rate as low as <0.05%, quality of Dolz references rests assured.
Reputation and expertise are the safest ways to verify product quality and reliability. It is rather important that the chosen brand has proven knowledge and experience in the manufacturing of the specific product, as each individual component has a unique functioning.
Existing reviews and additional support materials such as technical specifications, videos and unboxings can help you identify specifically how the item(s) should turn out. Only an experienced manufacturer can offer a backed-up product.
You must be interested: Timing belt kit replacement: how to do it?
When it comes to maintaining the engine of your vehicle, few components are equally critical as the timing belt. To help ensure that your timing belt is functioning properly, it’s important to understand the various parts that are included in our timing belt kits:
It is in charge of keeping internal combustion engines running and the vehicle’s pistons and valves operating correctly. Premium quality belts must prove resistant to changes in temperature, water and oil to ensure optimized durability.
The water pump is directly adjacent to the timing belt and is intended to keep the optimum temperature of the engine at all times, so it must remain properly sealed to avoid leakage. In most cases, the timing belt drives the water pump, which is why it is the right time to replace the water pump when replacing the timing belt.
A belt tensioner or idler pulley is the system that guides the timing belt on a car engine, keeping it tight and running smoothly. Its main function is to stop the belt from slipping, avoiding drivability issues derived from a loose timing belt.
Bearings and screws are what holds together and in place the different components of engine timing belt kits. Dolz bearings are equivalents to OE and resistant to temperature changes and motor vibrations. They are manufactured with high quality raw materials to reduce friction and wear.
The best timing belt kits are those manufactured at a superior technological level. Dolz has made significant investments in technology and innovation to provide products of unique precision and quality that have gone through solid inspections during the process.
With two options available: all-include kits with water pump (KD) and an option without the water pump (SKD), both alternatives are manufactured to reach OE specifications and are guaranteed for 2 years from date of purchase or 80.000 km.
For more Audi Timing Belt Replacementinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.