What is a timeing belt and what are the symptoms of it giving out?

Question

High Rev? Stuttering? Lack of power? Off handeling? I know nothing... Subaru Outback Legacy 1999, 94000 mi

Answer 1

A timing belt turns both the crankshaft and camshaft. It turns the two in proper "time" so that the engine can run, if it is as much as one groove off, the engine will not run properly if it even runs at all. There is really no symptom of it giving out. when it breaks, the engine will stop, just hope when that happens that the pistons and valves dont strke each other, which can cause major damage or even the total loss of an engine. with the mileage you are giving, it is way way past due a new one. The common replacement interval for a timing belt is usually every 45,000 to 50,000 miles.

Answer 2

The cogged belt is the method used to turn the camshaft from the crankshaft. The camshaft has to be in exact time with the crankshaft. Therefore called a timing belt. Check your owners manual for recommended belt change intervals as they vary with different engines. The most of the time you get no indication that the belt is failing until it is to late. On many engines there is interferance between the valves and the pistons if the belt breaks. This can can completely destroy the engine. That is why it is so crucial to change the belt at the manufacturers recommended intervals. The belt may look ok to the naked eye but it does stretch and the cogges do werar.

Answer 3

Timing belt is a connection between the engine drive shaft (which spins from the result of the pistons turning it) and a camshaft that lifts the valves for the enigine.

If it isn;t there or breaks, the valves do not let air/fuel mix in, nor is exhaust let out. The engine will not even start.

In the past, this "belt" was a chain drive or high integrity, meant to last the life of the engine. These days, many of these are more like fan belts, a polymer or nylon cloth and rubber grooved belt. Many cars mean to have it last only about 100,000 miles and then it needs to be changed; an expensive process.

CHeck your owners manyual for SUbarus recommendation.

Answer 4

The timing belt connects the crankshaft to the cam shafts via a cogged belt. If the belt breaks or breaks teeth the valve timing will change. depending on the type of vehical it can also cause bent valves as the piston hits the head of the valves. The easiest way to tell is if your engine spins faster than normal but won't start. This is because of lack of compression. Your legacy is not a interference engine so don't worry about the valves.

Answer 5

A timing belt is a flat, cogged belt driven by the crankshaft and is used to drive the cam shaft which in turn opens the valves. The crankshaft is driven by the pistons as they move up and down. The piston would ,on most engines,crash into the valves if not properly synchronized or" timed" with the opening and closing of the valves. You will probably notice no symptoms until it fails entirely, then your engine most likely will be destroyed. It's analogous to a world war one airplane pilot firing his machine gun through his propeller and things being out of time. Check your owners manual to see at what mileage to change it. Hope I made myself clear.

Answer 6

All of what you mentioned are signs of a bad timing belt. How many miles does it have? Most manufactures recommend changing the belt every 50,000 miles. The symptoms that you mentioned are also signs of a badly needed tune-up. The tune-up is cheaper and easier to do. Be sure to replace all filters, oxygen sensor and spark plugs. If this doesn't do the job, then get a computer read out done at a reliable shop and go from there

Answer 7

The timing belt is the one giving a synchronized movement of the crankshaft and camshaft. If the movement of the inlet or exhaust valves (which are driven by the camshaft) are not properly timed against the movement of the pistons (which are driven by the crankshaft), they will get in contact against against each other (piston against valves). This will create a major engine failure. The timing belt has an specified life span and should be replaced before it fails.

Answer 8

timing belt,is a belt with teeth 1-1-2 with ,it controls the valve system.if skip a tooth will not star the egging.or if it star will not run right you must Chang lt..80 to 9o mils or it will damig the engin for shour and stop werever you are

Answer 9

Your car will turn over but not run if the belt is broken.
A worn belt will likely not show symptoms but will break at the worst moment, then your engine will quit.

Answer 10

symptoms , i don't know. but i think they should be replaced every 30,000 or 60,000 miles.