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Timing Belt Replacement


Replacing the Timing Belt of the Car

There are some parts of the car that should not be handled by a rookie mechanic. Changing the Timing Belt is one of the many things that only a car mechanic should carry out. The difficulty of the problem with the timing belt is divided into grade A or B mechanics. Timing belt set up is different for each and every car, you should try to change the timing belt only if you about the engine of your car thoroughly.

There are a few tools that you will need to change the timing belt, they are generally found in a good toolbox. You can damage the drivetrain of your car if you are not sure about any of the steps when replacing the timing belt. If you didn't fix the timing belt properly then the timing belt can break inside the car and cause extensive internal damage.

First check if you need to change the timing belt of your car or not, then you need to decide if you should repair it. If you own a car with an interference motor then you need to consider the possibilities that the broken timing belt could have damaged some of the other components inside the car. In case you do not have an interference motor then you can go ahead with changing the timing belt.

If you do not know the nature of your engine then you can check the engine configuration. If there are more than two valves in one cylinder of the engine or has double-overhead cans then the car has an interference motor. In such cases you have to change the top end of the engine and if the damage is extensive then the whole engine must be replaced. You have to remove the timing belt to see if the broken timing belt caused a bent valve or other internal damage.

Replacing the Timing Belt

  • To start with the changing, you must get rid of the timing belt cover. Jack the car up to reach the bolts on the bottom. When the timing cover is taken off, make sure the engine is at Top Dead Centre. You should ideally do this process with the help of a friend.
  • When the engine is on top dead center, you must jack up the engine and do away with the motor mount.
  • Using a tensioner, you should loosen the belt and then remove it. Inspect the tensioner to ensure that the trouble was not in a faulty tensioner.
  • Change the belt and the tensioner, if needed.
  • When replacing the belt, make sure that the markings on the cam or the two cams in case of double overhead cam are in their place, check on the crankshaft marks as well.
  • You must also ensure that while replacing the belt, the stress on the belt is set on the side opposite the tensioner.
  • Put back the motor mount.
  • As the belt is set on, rotate the engine over no less than twice to check that the valves are not striking the pistons using. This step must be done with a large ratchet and socket. Do not use an air ratchet either.

Test the timing belt to see if it is working well. If it is doing well then you can replace the timing belt cover. Finally hook the battery cable back to its terminal.

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