| Timing Belt
Overview
It is the effect of heat that is the major cause of belt
problems. It is estimated that cars with performance parts such
as additional HP due to increased compression, turbos, headers,
performance cams and nitrous all reduce belt life. Rapid
increases and decreases in acceleration also reduce belt
life. It is estimated that any of these items can reduce belt
life by 30%.
One thing we all know that engines have in common is some
type of cam drive system - right? With pushrod engines, you have
the gear set or chain drive spinning the cam, with overhead cam
engines, it's the timing belt or chain doing the work.
As the miles add up, the cam drive wears the same as any
other engine component. Gears develop play (backlash), between
the teeth, chains stretch and belts weaken. Play in the gear or
chainstyle cam drive can cause noise, retarded valve timing
and/or ignition timing depending on the engine design and app.
With rubber timing belts, noise is seldom a problem even at
high mileages. Valve timing and ignition timing also remain
steady because timing belts don't stretch. But belts can and do
fail - usually with little or no warning. The risk of belt
failure goes up sharply once a belt surpasses its recommended
replacement interval which is typically 60,000 miles.
Though today's timing belts last longer than ever before, the
same can't be said for timing belts that are in older engines -
even if the vehicle manufacturer doesn't publish a recommended
replacement interval. The fact is, any belt can fail if the
reinforcing cords inside the belt become, worn or weak and
break.
The internal cords prevent the belt from stretching and
jumping time. The cords are under tremendous tension, and
eventually the combo of constant flexing and heat causes them to
weaken. If the belt is not replaced before total failure occurs,
it will fail sooner or later.
A visual inspection won't tell you much abut a timing belt
unless it is really bad! Belts that still look like new n the
outside may be dangerously weak on the inside and on the verge
of failure. That's why Honda, Toyota and most other vehicle
manufacturers usually recommend replacing the timing belt at a
specific mileage interval.
On interference engines, a timing belt failure is really bad
news because there's not enough clearance for the valves to
clear the pistons if the belt snags. A belt failure on an
interference engine almost always results in one or more bent
valves - or worse, a completely blown engine! That's why timing
belts should be replaced at the recommended interval, or when
ever rebuilding a motor.
Regular belt replacement is especially important on Acura and
Honda engines because almost every one of these engines is an interference
design! The only exceptions are the 3.2L V6 in the 1998 and
newer Acura SLX models, and the 3.2L V6 in the 1994 and up
Passports.
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