purpose, choice, break, etc.
An important part of the internal combustion engine is the timing belt (timing). Many drivers have little idea of the device of a modern car, and often do not even know that the timing belt must be checked and changed regularly, otherwise its stretching and breakage can lead to irreversible consequences.
Purpose
In one of the previous articles on the Vodi.su website about hydraulic lifters, we mentioned how complex the internal combustion engine is. The incredible accuracy of its work depends on the synchronous rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft. If the crankshaft is responsible for the stroke of the pistons in the cylinders, then the camshaft is responsible for raising and lowering the intake and exhaust valves.
Synchronization is just provided by a belt drive. The timing belt is put on the crankshaft pulley and transmits torque to the camshaft. In addition, thanks to the timing belt, other important units are also rotated:
- a water pump responsible for the circulation of antifreeze in the cooling system;
- fan impeller for supplying air to the air conditioning system;
- drive balancer shafts (on some models) to balance the forces of inertia that occur when the crankshaft rotates;
- drive of the high pressure fuel pump (TNVD) on diesel engines and in systems of distributed injection;
- generator rotor.
It is also worth noting that in order to reduce the size of the power unit and to ensure ease of maintenance, on some modifications of the internal combustion engine, two timing belts are used at once. In addition, it is common practice to install a metal timing chain, which has a much longer service life and cannot be replaced for almost the entire life of the vehicle.
Thus, inconspicuous at first glance, the part performs an important function in the engine.
Selection, labeling and manufacturers
You need to choose a belt very carefully. Consider the designations on its surface - the profile and dimensions are indicated here.
Different manufacturers label their products differently:
- Number plate-987;
- CT-527;
- ISO-58111×18 (suitable for VAZ-2110);
- 5557, 5521, 5539;
- 111 SP 190 EEU, 136 SP 254 H, etc.
We just gave arbitrary sizes. In these letters and numbers, information about the material, length, width of the profile, and the type of teeth is encrypted. It is according to the markings on your "native" belt that you need to select a new one. Some drivers pick up the belts by eye, applying them to each other and stretching. It is not recommended to do this, as the rubber is subject to stretching. It is better to take the time and find a catalog that contains information on belts for a particular engine modification.
Speaking specifically about manufacturers, we would advise choosing only original products from such companies:
- gates;
- Dayco;
- contitech;
- Bosch;
- Good Year;
- BUT.
From the cheaper segment, you can offer products from the Polish manufacturer SANOK, which specializes in the production of belts not only for cars, but also for trucks and agricultural machinery. Note that in almost any car market you will be offered Chinese products of nameless brands. To buy it or not is a personal matter for everyone, especially since the price can be very attractive. But do you want to call a tow truck because of stuck valves or take apart half of the motor to change the belt? The answer is obvious.
Broken timing belt: causes, consequences and how to avoid?
What can cause such a nuisance as a break? Due to violations of the rules of operation. You need to check the tension regularly, it is quite simple to do this - press on the belt, it should not sag more than 5 mm. It needs to be changed in accordance with the requirements of the manufacturer, on average every 40-50 thousand km for passenger cars.
Although the belts are made of reinforced rubber, this material is very bad for contact with various technical fluids. Engine oil is especially harmful, rubber simply absorbs and stretches it. Just a millimeter of tension is enough to disrupt the entire operation of the timing mechanism.
Other factors affect the service life:
- a malfunction of one of the internal combustion engine units, for example, if the water pump pulley jams while driving, the belt may burst due to a sharp impulse;
- too active driving in low temperatures, for example during frosty northern winters;
- external damage - as soon as scuffs are noticed, the belt needs to be changed;
- purchase and installation of cheap analogues.
Well, what happens when it breaks? The easiest thing to get rid of is bent valves. To change them, you will have to remove the cover and head of the block. Of the more serious scenarios, a breakdown of the camshaft, the destruction of connecting rods and liners, the destruction of pistons and cylinders, and the failure of the timing mechanism may threaten. In short, engine overhaul will be inevitable.
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