A modern car is a technically complex device that can operate in difficult conditions. Unfortunately, technological progress still does not allow making things that last forever, and a car, like other devices, requires periodic maintenance.
- Replacing the timing belt. Video:
- How to get to the timing belt?
This is especially true for its main mechanism – the engine. It has a huge number of moving parts that wear out over time. One of these parts is the timing belt. To replace this part, it is not at all necessary to contact a service center - you can do everything yourself.
Timing belt selection
In order for the belt to last a long time, you should not skimp on it and buy an obvious Chinese fake. It is important to approach the issue of choosing spare parts seriously. Today on the market you can find solutions from domestic and foreign manufacturers.
The list of manufacturers is quite wide, but the most popular models are regularly offered by Contitech, Gates, Bosch and Dayco, which have earned many flattering reviews.
Manufacturers
Perhaps the most reputable manufacturer is Gates. The company is based in Belgium and its activities include the production of various highly specialized equipment, as well as drive belts.
Today Gates supplies its belts to world-famous automakers. As usual, the price in this case corresponds to the quality - Gates solutions are noticeably more expensive than most others.
Contitech, located in Germany, in turn, is famous for its products of “true German quality”. Many parts from this manufacturer are installed by auto giants on their cars during their assembly. In addition to timing belts, this manufacturer also produces air suspensions, drive mechanisms and other parts.
Finally, the Italian Dayco specializes in bearings, rollers and drive belts.
Should I buy an official or unofficial belt?
The safest way to purchase a high-quality timing belt is to purchase from an official service center. As an added bonus, installation will often be done there. Unfortunately, this option turns out to be the most expensive.
Here it is important to know that among official services there is a practice of listing the spare part in the catalog under the brand of the car manufacturer, and not the part itself. Take branded timing belts for Chevrolet and Opel cars as an example.
Regardless of the actual manufacturer of the part, it will be offered under the GM brand, although the spare part will actually be produced at Gates factories.
Almost every car owner has encountered a similar situation. How to check the timing belt? It is enough to remove the part yourself at least once and look at the markings on it: according to the catalogs it was made by GM, Audi, etc., but according to the markings, for example, Contitech.
The disadvantage of this approach becomes visible if you compare the price with the same model under your own brand on the market. As a rule, the difference with the service is approximately 1.5 times. However, there is absolutely no difference in quality. That is why it is difficult to say how much a timing belt costs - it all depends on the manufacturer.
However, some drivers hold an alternative opinion: they believe that only the best products from one manufacturer or another are used for original spare parts, and everything else goes on open sale in the form of a kind of “markdown”.
Practice shows that original and non-original timing belts serve approximately equally. Thus, it will be enough to find out the factory model of the part so that you can purchase it immediately and not overpay for service.
The only point: you must buy from a trusted dealer, since otherwise there is a high risk of running into a low-quality fake. As a result, a timing belt break can occur much earlier with a much higher probability.
So, which timing belt is best? Designed specifically for your vehicle and purchased from a reliable supplier.
Replacing the timing belt. Video:
Timing for timing belt replacement
First, let's figure out when to change the timing belt. Spontaneous timing belt breakage very often results in bent valves. They require very expensive repairs, so you need to carefully monitor the condition of the belt. Specific planned replacement periods depend on the specific car model and are most often indicated in its technical documentation.
Many people are interested in: at what mileage should the timing belt be changed? Experts recommend replacing them after a mileage of about 50-80 thousand kilometers.
If the car was purchased secondhand and the owner does not know when the last replacement was made, you can visually check the part for wear. Traces of active use are quite clearly visible in the form of small cracks on the case.
Foreign automakers recommend changing the timing belts on their cars after a mileage of 120 thousand kilometers, but domestic dealers give different numbers: 90, maximum 100 thousand kilometers, which is due to the difficult operating conditions in our country.
If, during inspection, cracks were found on the parts, you should not immediately panic and assume that a break will happen immediately, as soon as the car moves again. The belts are based on several thin metal rods that can withstand significant impact loads and increase the life of the part.
If the belt begins to weaken, the driver will quickly feel it - the noise from the engine will increase noticeably, and the car will become more difficult to start. Yes, and there is a risk in practice to check whether the valves bend when the timing belt breaks.
Car manufacturers often recommend replacing the timing belt tensioner roller along with replacing the part itself. This option is preferable, since all of the mentioned procedures are quite labor-intensive individually, and the wear of specific parts is sometimes not visible to the naked eye. That is why many manufacturers have switched to producing sets of belt and rollers.
Video of replacing the timing belt on a sixteen valve ten
Good luck on the roads! Not a nail or a rod.
The gas distribution mechanism (GRM) synchronizes the operation of the piston group, the fuel injection system and the exhaust of combustion products. If you are wondering how to change the timing belt, we will provide the necessary minimum information that will help present this procedure as a whole. This will make it easier to decide whether replacing the timing belt is worth your own efforts, or whether it is better to entrust this work to specialists.
The timing belt is the most responsible and important belt drive in a car. Its breakage is a big nuisance. You'll be lucky if the problem is limited to bent valves. Therefore, the answer to the question of how to replace the timing belt should be given immediately as soon as you suspect a problem with its operation. In this case, it is better to play it safe than to have serious repairs in the future.
Replacement Procedures
Now let's move on to how to change the timing belt. Replacing a part consists of three main steps. First of all, you need to get to the part. Then loosen the tensioner and only then install a new belt. However, first things first.
How to get to the timing belt?
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- The negative cable is disconnected from the battery. If available, you should make sure you have a radio safety code in advance - this will help save time on reconfiguration after completion of work.
- Remove the alternator belt. Depending on the specific vehicle, access to the timing belt may also be made difficult by the serpentine belt. To remove it, the corresponding nuts are loosened and, if necessary, the generator is pushed away.
- Remove all accessories. At this stage, you will need to dismantle the generator, steering, air conditioning compressor and other similar parts that prevent access to the timing case. Important: the fittings should not be removed; in most cases, they can simply be moved without losing pressure in the system.
- If the distributor cap is installed, it must also be removed. Most often, this requires unscrewing the fastening screws and straightening the clamps. Some modern models do not have this part; its place is taken by the crankshaft and camshaft position sensor. In this case, you cannot do without a repair manual for an engine of a specific model - the process varies greatly depending on the model.
- Align the timing marks (how to set the timing marks is described in the vehicle manual). To do this, the engine is cranked until the pulley mark reaches the 0 degree mark on the timing scale.
- Remove the timing belt cover. First of all, all mounting screws and bolts are unscrewed. If there are any parts that interfere with removal, they will need to be further dismantled. Here again you will have to refer to the manual, since their availability and removal procedure vary depending on the car model.
- Check the accuracy of the installation of the crankshaft and camshaft using the installation marks. Pulleys or sprockets most often have a special line that is aligned with marks on the auxiliary shaft, cylinder head, or marks on the block. In the case of a broken timing belt, this point is very important.
- Check the belt area for oil stains. If any leaks are noticed, they must be repaired immediately.
Loosening the tensioner
In order to remove the old timing belt, you will need to loosen the bolts that secure the device that regulates the tension of the bolt. There is no point in unscrewing them completely - it will be enough to unscrew the tensioner, then tighten the bolts again and fix the tensioner.
It would also be a good idea to check the tensioner pulley for wear. A visual inspection includes checking for cracks and dents, after which the pulley must be rotated.
If a rumble or crackling noise is heard during the process, it means the bearings are worn out or at least weakened. In this case, you should additionally install a new tensioner pulley.
Installation of a new timing belt
The installation of the timing belt itself is quite simple and is unlikely to cause any difficulties for anyone. The first step is to remove the belt from the sprockets.
If the tensioner has been loosened, it will easily come off on its own. Sometimes the belt can get stuck, but the problem is solved if you pry it up with a screwdriver.
At the second stage, a new belt is installed. Most often, the user manual describes in detail how to tension the timing belt. The exact procedure with all tolerances varies depending on the brand of car. This is especially important for the crankshaft pulley mounting bolt; it has the highest tightening torque.
Then all that remains is to carry out all the procedures in reverse order.
Replacing the timing belt on a Priora. Video:
Which timing belt to choose
To make it easier for you to find the answer to your questions about which belt to choose or which belt is suitable, we have prepared a table for selecting timing belts for different brands and models of cars:
| Brand, model | Original code | Code analogue |
| Renault timing belt | ||
| Timing belt Logan | 7701477024 130C17480R 130C10178R | K015662XS 130C17529R |
| Timing belt Logan 2 | 130C17480R 130C10178R | K015662XS 130C17529R |
| Timing belt Largus | 130C17480R 130C10178R | K015662XS 130C17529R |
| Timing belt Duster | 130C11551R 7701477028 130C13130R 130C10178R | 130C17529R |
| Timing belt Renault Clio | 7701469776 7701472726 130C10178R | 130C17529R |
| Timing belt Sandero | 130C17480R 130C10178R | K015662XS 130C17529R |
| Timing belt Sandero 2 | 130C17480R | K015662XS |
| Timing belt Sandero Stepway | 130C10178R | 130C17529R |
| Timing belt Sandero Stepway 2 | 130C10178R | 130C17529R |
| Timing belt Symbol | 7701477024 | |
| Timing belt Megan | 7701469776 7701472726 130C10178R | 130C17529R |
| Timing belt Megan 2 | 130284231R 7701063999 130C13130R 130C13191R | CT977 |
| Timing belt Megan 3 | 130C13191R 7701477028 | |
| Ford timing belt | ||
| Timing belt Focus 2 | 1672144 | VKMA04226 |
| Timing belt Focus 3 | 2045356 | KTB764 CT881K5 VKMA04226 530049510 KD452.24 |
| Fusion Timing Belt | 1672144 1672143 | |
| Daewoo timing belt | ||
| Timing belt Nexia | 1987948226 530 0332 10 5900270 | |
| Timing belt Opel | ||
| Timing belt Opel | 95516740 | |
| Chevrolet timing belt | ||
| Timing belt Lacetti | 93185845 93746917 | |
| Timing belt Cruz | 95516740 | |
| Hyundai timing belt | ||
| Timing belt Accent | 24312-26001 | |
| Solaris timing belt | 24321-2B200 | |
| Timing belt Elantra | 24321-2B200 | |
| Timing belt Skoda | ||
| Timing belt Octavia | 06A198119D | |
| Timing belt Fabia | K035565XS | |
| Kia timing belt | ||
| Rio timing belt | 24321-2B200 | |
| Timing belt Soul | 24321-2B200 | |
| Timing belt LED | 24321-2B200 | |
Timing belt options for VAZ
If you can’t decide where to buy a timing belt in Volgograd, Volzhsky or another city in the region, contact us, you can’t go wrong.
Pay special attention to how to set the timing marks
. We suggest taking a little more time to watch the video of replacing the timing belt on a VAZ with a 16-valve engine.
Timing belt or chain
Many people doubt what to prefer: a timing chain or a timing belt? Both options have their advantages and disadvantages. Let's first consider the advantages of the chain:
- higher resource;
- high resistance to external damage: the chain rotates in a confined space, it is not afraid of temperature changes, moisture or dust, while sometimes in winter it happens that the timing belt breaks precisely because of rapid heating and cooling;
- the possibility of more precise adjustment: the timing marks on the chain can be set more accurately, so the shaft will rotate with the proper force, the valves will work more accurately and will not burn out;
- better lubrication: during operation, the timing chain is constantly in oil, while the belt operates in a dry atmosphere, which negatively affects its service life;
- increased resistance to loads: the chain can withstand high speeds better; if the tensioner is operating normally, it will not jump forward.
Replacing spark plugs, causes of soot, how often to change. - there is more useful information here.
Unfortunately, the chain is not an ideal solution; it also has its drawbacks:
- Stretching. Over time, the chain stretches a little, which is why the marks do not stop matching. As practice shows, over several years of operation its length increases by a couple of centimeters. As a result, several links begin to slip. As a result, a strong rumble begins under the hood, which can only be “cured” by replacing the chain.
- Heavy weight. Compared to a belt, a chain is much heavier. Current trends are such that manufacturers are trying to make cars as light and compact as possible in order to reduce fuel consumption. It’s even about minor details, so they decided to abandon the chain in favor of a belt. Of course, today there are special lightweight options, but even in this case, the life of the chain suffers significantly.
- Volume. With every year and every new generation of cars, the space under the hood is getting smaller. A belt drive takes up much less space than a chain drive.
So, which is better: a timing chain or a timing belt? Whatever arguments are given in favor of one or another option, we can already say for sure: car manufacturers have chosen belts and do not plan to abandon them; chains are almost completely out of use.
You will be interested in this article - How to adjust wheel alignment with your own hands?
Replacing the timing chain
It remains to note such a point as replacing the timing chain. We can say right away: it is absolutely no different from the belt replacement algorithm. The main difficulty is the preparatory operations, with the help of which you can get to the desired part. On average, this takes several hours, while direct replacement takes a few minutes.
So, it is quite possible to cope with replacing the timing belt yourself. Of course, this procedure is not quick, but it is quite accessible even to beginners.
The main thing is to stock up on the appropriate tools, as well as a user manual for the car. Some things are unique to a particular model.
For example, how to properly tension the timing belt is written there. Remember that if you do something once, it will be much easier the next time.
When replacement is required
Lada Kalina 1 and 2 alternator belt replacement with air conditioning
As you already understand, there are several ways to diagnose problems with the alternator belt.
There are several basic checking methods to get an answer about the current state of the node.
When replacing, be sure to purchase a part of the same type. Products come with tracks of different quantities. If you choose a belt that does not match your generator, problems will arise during its installation and further operation.
If the car is designed to use a poly-V-belt, a V-belt is unlikely to be suitable. But this is a completely different issue that requires separate consideration.
