Timing Belts in Dartford
What is the role of a timing belt?
Cam belts are rubber belts that control the timing of a vehicle's engine valves. Valves in engines need to open and close a pre-agreed number of times and a timing belt ensures that this is allowed to happen. The teeth of a timing belt are attentively designed so that they can perform efficiently for their intended engine.
These teeth turn the cam shaft of the engine and make sure that it stays synchronised with the crankshaft. The cam shaft turns half as fast as the crankshaft of the engine, enabled by the timing belt. If this does not happen your engine will not operate correctly which will result in your engine being damaged.
Causes of such damage to engines can be engine valves remaining open at the wrong time leading to them sticking to the pistons.
The consequences of failing to act on timing belt issues
Should you fail to spot a damaged cam belt, or even worse; a failure to act when it is can have disastrous consequences for your engine.
If you have an interference engine in your vehicle failure to act upon a cam belt that is damaged will spell disaster.
Should your timing belt snap your vehicle will not run at all, but if your cam belt is running whilst damaged your engine could be damaged beyond repair without your knowledge.
Should your cam belt become damaged the pistons and valves in your engine will knock together which can result in cracks appearing in your valve guides.
You car's valve guides can also end up bent which it can be expensive to fix.
In extreme circumstances your cam shaft may even break.
Should be having difficulties with your timing belt you can call upon RepairACar to locate Dartford cam belt mechanics.
What cam belts are
A timing belt connects the camshaft and crankshaft of an engine. It is covered with teeth that vary in shape dependant on your belt's type. Modern timing belts have rounded or circular teeth, whereas shaper teeth can be found on older belts.
Typically, timing belts are made out of rubber and are then imbued with materials such as fibreglass to strengthen them to ensure that they are able to last longer. Cam belts made recently tend to be made from resistant materials like HSN so that they are better equipped to cope with high engine temperatures. Modern cam belts are not as wide as there predecessors in order to lessen their weight, to generate less friction.
