Do you know the timing belt is one of the key pieces that makes your Acura’s engine to be as efficient as you see it? The timing belt has an enormous role to play in making your car run smoothly. However, what becomes of this all-important part if it begins to deteriorate or suddenly breaks? The timing belt can sneak up on you and lead to serious engine problems if not addressed. Let’s look at how to tell if your Acura has timing belt problems and what you can do to address the problem before it becomes a really expensive fix.
What Does the Timing Belt Do?
The timing belt is one of the most important parts of an Acura automobile’s engine. It coordinates the camshaft and the crankshaft so that the engine valves will open and close at just the right times. A broken timing belt is bad news because it can throw the engine’s delicate coordination into disarray and leave you with major damage. Sometimes, a snapped timing belt can render the engine completely useless.
Signs of Timing Belt Problems
- Engine Misfires: When a timing belt wears out or breaks, it no longer aligns properly with the engine’s other components. This can lead to misfires which manifest themselves in rough running, stalling, or other symptoms such as rough idle, or poor performance in general.
- Unusual Noises: If your Acura timing belt is bad you may hear a ticking, clicking, or rattling sound from the engine area. This noise is often heard when the belt is fighting to keep the proper tension or alignment indicating that it may fail soon.
- Difficulty Starting the Engine: If your timing belt is worn or damaged, it’s more difficult to start your engine. If the belt wears out too much, the engine will fail to even start at all, as internal components can’t be properly synchronized.
How to Fix Timing Belt Issues
- Inspect the Timing Belt: The timing belt of a car should be inspected by a professional mechanic and some of the signs to look out for include; cracks, fraying, glazing, and missing teeth. They will also verify the tension. If any of these problems are present, it means that the timing belt should be replaced as soon as possible to prevent its failure.
- Replace the Timing Belt: Changing of the timing belt is a delicate process that requires some level of professionalism. The old belt is pulled off, while a new belt is fitted in the correct position with regard to the engine’s camshaft and crankshaft. It is normal practice to change related parts during this process, which includes the tensioner and the idler pulleys. These components function with the timing belt, and when there is a failure of one of them the new belt is also affected.
- Check for Oil Leaks: Seepage of oil in the region of the timing belt results in the premature wearing out of the belt. The camshaft, crankshaft, and timing cover will be checked for oil leaks around the seals and gaskets. In the event of leaks, they have to be repaired by replacing the seal or gaskets before installing a new timing belt.
- Perform a Comprehensive Inspection: Another advantage of timing belt replacement is that it affords a view of other extremely important parts of the engine which may include other belts, the camshaft, the crankshaft, and related pulleys. This is the best time to look for potential problems in the surrounding components because many of these parts can only be reached when the timing belt system has been dismantled.
Get Professional Help For Your Timing Belt Repairs
Replacing a timing belt is a difficult job and requires specialized tools and knowledge. Mistakes during the process can cause severe engine damage. For this reason, it’s best to hand this over to the professionals. If you have a timing belt issue in your Acura, Francen and Son Foreign Car has the skills and experience to take care of it. You can rest assured that our team will replace your timing belt correctly, using high-quality parts so that your engine runs smoothly.
Our garage is situated in Algonquin, IL, and we also render our services to the neighboring areas. Need a timing belt change or a complete engine check-up, we are here for you. Schedule your service today and ensure your Acura is running like it should!