Timing belt noise causes and solutions
Timing belt plays an important role in regulating the work of the engine components inside. The timing belt is the successor to the engine speed between the crankshaft and the valve train mechanism.
Timing belt controls the timing and process of opening and closing the intake and exhaust valves among the piston position. For example when the piston is at the compression state, both valves (intake and exhaust) position must be in a closed position.
Because the timing belt contains a rubbery element, the timing belt needs to be replaced at a certain time period. If not, then there will be many problems in your car's engine. One of the reasons is the timing belt noise. These are some of the causes of timing belt noise and solutions
The first timing belt noise causes is from bad timing belt. Timing belt is made from rubber and have reinforcement with some cord. Over the time, the rubber on the timing belt will harden and then some cracks will appear on the timing belt surfaces.
This condition greatly affects the sound that appears when the timing belt is working. When the timing belt rubber is still in elastic state, the sound that appears from the timing belt will sound smoothly and calm.
Meanwhile, when the rubber timing belt has hardened and cracked, the sound that appears from the timing belt will feel rough and more noisy. Bad timing belt is risky to use for, you must replace the timing belt as soon as possible or you will get costly car repair then.
Here's examples images of bad timing belt condition were causing noise.
Solution :
The only solution for bad timing belt that i have mentioned above is to replace the timing belt with the new ones.
Another timing belt noise causes is from incorrect belt tension adjustment. Timing belt tension adjustment had a spesific range were permitted by car manufacturer's. In some cases, the belt tension will changes during usages.
Most often, the timing belt tension will saggy and resulting large deflection of the belt. Over deflection on the timing belt, will gain some noise that we can hear in an idling engine rpm and louder when we accelerating the engine. In another case, too tight timing belt tension adjustment is also causes timing belt noise.
Solution :
In this case, the timing belt tension must be re-adjustment and retighten by certified technician. If your timing belt configuration using an auto tensioner, then the auto tensioner need to replace with the new ones as it can hold the belt tension anymore.
Related articles:
Timing belt noise can causes by worn out bearing of waterpump. Some engine types attached waterpump to rotated by the timing belt, so it's located inside the timing belt position. Waterpump used bearing which is can worn out after several years usage. When waterpump bearing start to worn out, they will creates noises sound.
Solution:
Because the bearing is installed inside the waterpump and placed as one unit, you need to replace the whole waterpump assembly.
The last timing belt noise causes that we know is from worn out tensioner and idler bearing. To adjust timing belt tension, timing belt use bearing with adjuster. Usually, this tensioner bearing is replaced with the replacement timing belt.
Sometimes, in order to save budget and the cost of replacing the timing belt, the tensioner bearings are not replaced. Over the time, the tensioner bearing goes to worn out faster than the timing belt. And the result, they creates noise that we can hear from timing belt location.
Timing belt noise produced from worn out bearings will generally sound like a buzzing, grinding, or rattling sound. This noise will be louder when the engine rpm increases.
Solution :
The solution for timing belt noise causes by worn out tensioner bearing is to replace all existing tensioner bearings and idler bearings.
Timing belt controls the timing and process of opening and closing the intake and exhaust valves among the piston position. For example when the piston is at the compression state, both valves (intake and exhaust) position must be in a closed position.
Because the timing belt contains a rubbery element, the timing belt needs to be replaced at a certain time period. If not, then there will be many problems in your car's engine. One of the reasons is the timing belt noise. These are some of the causes of timing belt noise and solutions
1. Bad timing belt
The first timing belt noise causes is from bad timing belt. Timing belt is made from rubber and have reinforcement with some cord. Over the time, the rubber on the timing belt will harden and then some cracks will appear on the timing belt surfaces.
This condition greatly affects the sound that appears when the timing belt is working. When the timing belt rubber is still in elastic state, the sound that appears from the timing belt will sound smoothly and calm.
Meanwhile, when the rubber timing belt has hardened and cracked, the sound that appears from the timing belt will feel rough and more noisy. Bad timing belt is risky to use for, you must replace the timing belt as soon as possible or you will get costly car repair then.
Here's examples images of bad timing belt condition were causing noise.
- Missing tooth belt
- Cracked timing belt surfaces
- Defect on one side
Solution :
The only solution for bad timing belt that i have mentioned above is to replace the timing belt with the new ones.
2. Incorrect belt tension adjustment
Another timing belt noise causes is from incorrect belt tension adjustment. Timing belt tension adjustment had a spesific range were permitted by car manufacturer's. In some cases, the belt tension will changes during usages.
Most often, the timing belt tension will saggy and resulting large deflection of the belt. Over deflection on the timing belt, will gain some noise that we can hear in an idling engine rpm and louder when we accelerating the engine. In another case, too tight timing belt tension adjustment is also causes timing belt noise.
Solution :
In this case, the timing belt tension must be re-adjustment and retighten by certified technician. If your timing belt configuration using an auto tensioner, then the auto tensioner need to replace with the new ones as it can hold the belt tension anymore.
Related articles:
- Timing belt vs drive belt - What are the differences?
- Bad Timing Belt Symptoms
- What is timing belt purpose in an automobile engine?
3. Worn out bearing waterpump
Timing belt noise can causes by worn out bearing of waterpump. Some engine types attached waterpump to rotated by the timing belt, so it's located inside the timing belt position. Waterpump used bearing which is can worn out after several years usage. When waterpump bearing start to worn out, they will creates noises sound.
Solution:
Because the bearing is installed inside the waterpump and placed as one unit, you need to replace the whole waterpump assembly.
4. Worn out tensioner and idler bearing
The last timing belt noise causes that we know is from worn out tensioner and idler bearing. To adjust timing belt tension, timing belt use bearing with adjuster. Usually, this tensioner bearing is replaced with the replacement timing belt.
Sometimes, in order to save budget and the cost of replacing the timing belt, the tensioner bearings are not replaced. Over the time, the tensioner bearing goes to worn out faster than the timing belt. And the result, they creates noise that we can hear from timing belt location.
Timing belt noise produced from worn out bearings will generally sound like a buzzing, grinding, or rattling sound. This noise will be louder when the engine rpm increases.
Solution :
The solution for timing belt noise causes by worn out tensioner bearing is to replace all existing tensioner bearings and idler bearings.