How to replace a timing belt

How to replace the timing belt? Detailed instructions! Photo, video

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

Source: https://neauto.ru/zamena-remnja-grm-podrobnaja-instrukcija/

Replacing the timing belt: 10 points you need to know, when and how to change it?

The main purpose of this part is to transmit torque from the camshaft to the car crankshaft. It ensures synchronous rotation, which is so important for optimal operation of the entire gas distribution mechanism.

The serviceability and normal operation of the belt are very important for automobile engines, in which the pistons and valves are in the same block.

Despite the fact that the valves are in the same place as the pistons, these parts are not found due to the timing belt.

As soon as the belt breaks, it begins to beat against the open valve, gradually bending it, and also jams the piston. If replacement is not carried out, the engine will require serious repair work.

Causes of timing belt failure

Belt failure can be caused by more than just wear. Quite often there are situations when a completely new belt wears out and breaks in a relatively short period of time. There may be several reasons for this:

In most cases, the cause of rapid belt wear is the pump. It contains bearings and is not in the center of the pulley, but slightly offset to the side. It is their wear that, after a certain time, leads to a misalignment of the pump axis, which automatically causes the pulley to warp, and the subsequent slippage of the timing belt. The reason may also be the installation of a new pump. If the area was not very well protected to begin with, if there are small traces of dirt or grease, this can lead to significant displacement.
Severe wear on the guide and tension roller.
Engine oil leaking from the camshaft oil seal.
Tooth wear caused by the crankshaft and camshaft gears. A sign of such a problem is the appearance of peeling teeth on the belt.

The most common cause of belt wear is the mechanism being over-tightened or loosened. This very often happens after replacing a part yourself. It is for this reason that it is so important to know not only how often to change the timing belt, but also how to do it correctly if you do not plan to contact a car service center.

Service life and frequency of replacement of the timing belt

Many drivers are interested in the frequency of replacing the timing belt. This process directly depends on the wear of the part and the operating time of the vehicle.

Each car has a specified mileage in its manual, after which it needs to be replaced. The frequency directly depends on the brand of car. If it is a foreign car, 120 thousand km must pass before replacement; Russian cars have a mileage of 60 thousand.

When deciding when to change the timing belt, you should not wait for the full mileage; it is advisable to carry out this process by subtracting about 15% from the established norm. If the time for emergency replacement is unknown, you need to check the part for wear from time to time.

Procedure for changing the timing belt

Manufacturers recommend replacing the tensioner rollers at the same time as the timing belt, or even better if the pump is also replaced.

Quite often you can find complete replacement kits, which include a belt with rollers. The labor and time required to replace each part is approximately the same, but since it is not always possible to understand the level of wear of each, it is best to replace everything at the same time.

Necessary tools for replacing the timing belt

Before carrying out the replacement, you must prepare special tools. Among the most important of them are:

hexagon "five";
set of open-end wrenches;
wheel wrench;
special adjustment wrench for the tensioner pulley;
jack;
A large screwdriver will also work.

Preparatory work includes not only the preparation of tools, but also certain manipulations with the car itself. The machine is placed on a flat surface and secured with special stops under the wheels. Be sure to tighten the handbrake, lift the hood, disconnect the negative terminal of the battery, and also remove the engine cover.

Let's look at the process itself, how to replace the timing belt.

Removing the timing belt

Before installing a new belt, it is necessary to remove the worn one. To do this, the following sequence of actions is performed:

The generator belt is removed. In some situations, you may need to remove the serpentine belt to get to the timing belt. All nuts are loosened; if necessary, you need to push the generator to remove the tension and then remove the belt.
To gain access to the belt, additional parts such as a power steering pump, compressor, and generator are removed. There is no need to remove the fittings under compressor pressure. It is enough to simply unscrew them and move them a little to the side without affecting the pressure of the entire system.
If a distributor cap is present, it must be removed. For this purpose, you will need to unlock the latches and remove the mounting screws.
Alignment of main alignment marks. Using a socket or wrench for the crankshaft bolts, the engine must be turned until the pulley mark coincides with the zero mark. At this stage, you need to check that the distributor rotor matches the indicator on the distributor body. This is a kind of message that the rotor is ready to ignite the cylinder. If there is no such coincidence, you will need to perform another full rotation.
It is important to check whether the vibration damper pulley needs to be removed, which may be necessary to remove the drive belt cover. Very often the cover covers some part of the crankshaft, and the pulley does not allow it to be removed. When reassembling, some additional sealing will need to be returned.
The bolts and screws that hold the timing belt cover in place are removed and it is removed from the engine. This is where all components and accessory belts that might interfere with the removal of the cover are removed. The list of such components directly depends on the vehicle model, so in this case it is worth using a special service manual.
The accuracy of alignment of the installation marks of the camshaft and crankshaft is checked. The bulk of the engines have a special dotted line on the pulleys. It needs to be aligned with a special mark on the block or on the cylinder head. If the old belt was torn, you should pay more attention to the marks, relying on the official manual of the car.
The worn belt is removed.

When completing the removal process, you should carefully inspect the area for signs of oil leakage. It is necessary to inspect the areas near the crankshaft and camshaft seals, as well as the pan and valve cover.

All detected leaks must be repaired before installing a new part.

It is equally important to loosen the main tensioner before installing a new belt. Here it is enough to simply loosen the mounting bolts a little; there is no need to remove them completely. After weakening, the resulting state must be secured in the weakened position.

The tensioner itself needs to be checked for dents or cracks. It is very important to turn it over and listen for any rumble or crackling sounds that may indicate weakening and wear of the bearings.

If signs of damage or wear to the bearings are detected, the tensioner pulley will need to be replaced. This is a fairly common operation as the pulley can dry out, weaken, crack, wear out and become stiff.

Installing the timing belt

When installing a new timing belt, you need to unpack it and remove the part from the sprockets. If the belt has been used for a very long time, it may become stuck in the grooves of the pulley. In this case, you will need to pry it off with a screwdriver.

The new belt is tensioned in full accordance with the instructions and specifics of each car separately. Particular attention is paid to the information in the manual regarding tightening. The crankshaft pulley mounting bolt must have a high specified tightening torque.

If the vehicle has a hydraulic tensioner, removal may be required to insert the piston back into the cylinder.

The new belt must be inserted into the clamping device and compressed until all holes are completely aligned and the retaining rod can be inserted.

After inserting the rod, you can reinstall the car tensioner.

Setting marks and adjusting tension

Simultaneously with the new belt, the crankshaft on the pulley, camshaft gears, and pumps are installed in place.

Everything is securely fixed, and the belt itself is tensioned by rotating it clockwise. The belt tension level is easy to check manually.

Just try to turn it with your fingers. If the belt is well tensioned, it can be turned no more than 90 degrees.

After this, all fixing and turning tools are removed. The crankshaft makes two revolutions.

All marks on the gears are carefully checked. Once everything is installed accurately and correctly, you can begin installing all the remaining elements. At this point, the solution to the question of how to change the timing belt can be considered complete.

Features of belt installation for 16-valve engines

Separately, it is worth studying the question of how to replace the timing belt for sixteen valve engines. Carrying out the work of measuring the belt on a 16-valve engine is different in that you will definitely need to use two special fixing devices. You can purchase them at an auto tools store or make them yourself.

The main difficulty in replacing the timing belt on similar twin-shaft propulsion systems is tying the camshafts and crankshaft in a specific position. This is why clamps are needed.

Replacing without using these devices will be quite risky. If assembly is carried out incorrectly, a large number of parts will have to be replaced, which will cost a significant amount.

The belt in the gas distribution mechanism plays a very important role; during the work process it is constantly subjected to dynamic loads. For this reason, special attention is paid to the quality of this component. To purchase a durable and reliable belt, you should pay attention to the manufacturer. Among the most important brands that you should give preference to are the following:

Contitech;
Gates;
Dayco;
Bosch.

You need to purchase belts only from trusted suppliers, this will help protect against counterfeits.

After completing the work related to replacing the timing belt, you need to start the engine and listen to how it works.

If the device is tensioned well, no extraneous sounds will appear, but if the belt is slightly overtightened, you can hear the hum or whistle of the tension roller. In this case, the belt will have to be loosened a little by turning it counterclockwise.

If you carry out the replacement work competently and carefully enough, you will not have to face the question of how often to change the timing belt.

Conclusion

To avoid problems with the engine, it is necessary to regularly check the condition of the timing belt, approximately once a month, and, if necessary, replace it in a timely manner. The verification procedure is not complicated; it can be done on your own. If you don’t have time or opportunity, you can always contact a service station.

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Source: https://motorsguide.ru/system/zamena-remnya-grm

Replacing the timing belt – Kolesa.ru

Of course we need a new timing belt. Owners of cars whose camshafts turn chains now grin disdainfully: “Ugh, belt! Either change it, or buy a defective one. It’s just a chain!” Laugh, laugh, gentlemen.

“Chain VS Belt” debate could have started back in Ancient Greece, if cars existed then.

Wrapped in sheets, very ancient Greeks would splash drool in the faces of their opponents and give dozens of arguments in favor of the views they defend.

But now it is no longer so important to us which gas distribution mechanism drive is better. If there is a belt, it needs to be changed (although I note that sometimes the chain also needs to be changed, and sometimes even more often than we would like). What are the dangers of not caring about the timing belt? At best, it will simply break and the car will stall.

At worst, a torn belt will cause trouble in the cylinder head: the valve timing will be disrupted, and the valves will suddenly remain open at the very moment when the piston rises to top dead center. What next? That's right, the valves will bend and lose the ability to move in their guides, ensuring gas exchange in the engine.

A long time ago, when the Mercedes-Benz W140 and the dollar cost not even 30 rubles, but only 6, engines with grooves in the pistons were in use.

When the valves “met” with them, they remained inside the grooves intact and unharmed. But here’s the problem: the grooves had a bad effect on the combustion efficiency of the gasoline-air mixture, and you won’t see any “insurance” on modern engines.

These, the motors of recent decades, are rightly called “plug-in” by masters.

From the point of view of philology, the word is dubious, but in fact everything is so - “sticking” is popularly called the very meeting of pistons and valves, leading to the bending of the latter.

Repairing the motor in this case can be expensive or even very expensive. In general, you already understand whether you want it or not, but the belt needs to be changed.

Different manufacturers indicate slightly different service life, but on average this spare part lasts 50-70 thousand kilometers.

In order for the belt to perform its function - transmit rotation from the crankshaft to the camshaft properly, it must be properly tensioned. The tension is provided by a special roller, which is quite expectedly called a tension roller.

By design, this is a regular roller, but with a shifted center of rotation, so that it can be moved relative to the axis of rotation. The tension roller should be changed at the same time as the belt.

You shouldn’t trust its imaginary durability; over time, the lubricant in it ages, it begins to heat up more and more, and this disgrace leads to its jamming.

For the belt, this is like death, and then everything follows the above plan: breakage - bending of the valves. Therefore, it is better not to skimp and change the roller every time you replace the belt; it is not so expensive, but you can be calm about the timing drive.

By the way, it is not necessary to buy the original video; here this concept is very relative. Somewhere from the factory there are rollers from Koyo, SKF or some other products from very decent manufacturers.

The dealer will be happy to sell a kit from the same company, but with his own markup.

Source: https://www.kolesa.ru/article/klapana-est-a-esli-zagnu-kak-pravilno-menjat-remen-grm-2016-03-25

Replacing the Timing Belt (Disassembly) | 8 Key Points + Infographics

Replacing the timing belt (gas distribution mechanism) is one of the procedures for routine maintenance of a car. It is not required as often as changing engine oil or filters, but it is no less, if not more important. On average, the replacement interval ranges from 60 to 100 thousand km. mileage

If the timing belt is not changed in time, it can break while driving and cause serious engine damage. Therefore, it is recommended to check its condition from time to time and pay attention to characteristic signs.

The timing belt is a closed rubber band with teeth on one side. It serves as a link between the crankshaft and the camshaft, synchronizing the operation of the pistons and valves, allowing them to occupy the same space in the block without meeting each other during the intake or exhaust of gases. The sizes and number of teeth on belts vary and depend on the design of the engine.

The cost of replacing a timing belt is relatively high, since it is one of the most difficult car maintenance procedures , and the consumables are not the cheapest. Replacing the timing belt often means replacing the rollers; in addition, on some cars it is recommended to change the pump at the same time.

Next, we will look at how to change the timing belt in detail, answering important questions on this topic.

It's not always the same. If we take average figures based on data from more than ten maintenance tables for various cars, we get an interval of 106,250 km. mileage

For example, the scheduled maintenance of the Lada Vesta indicates a replacement frequency of 180,000 km. mileage, for the Skoda Octavia A5 - 135,000, and in the repair manual for Ford Focus 2 it is advised to change the timing belt at 120,000. On the other hand, the maintenance regulations for Renault Logan 2, Chevrolet Lacetti and many Chinese cars recommend changing them at 60 thousand km. mileage, and on the Hyundai Santa Fe - at 90 thousand.

Replacement interval is over one hundred thousand km. mileage is usually indicated by foreign manufacturers, based on normal operating conditions. In the CIS countries, harsh operating conditions prevail, which reduce the frequency of replacing consumables.

It is also worth taking into account that some cars are equipped with reinforced timing belts that have a metal cord.

Therefore, you need to listen to the recommendations that apply specifically to your car. And yes, think about replacing it around 80,000.

Yes, this can happen.

For example, due to non-compliance with basic operating requirements: ingress of technical fluids, errors when installing the timing belt (misalignment, overtightening, incorrect installation of marks) or the use of low-quality parts.

In addition, the belt can break due to faulty rollers and a jammed crankshaft, camshaft or pump. The latter is the most common, which is why it is recommended to change it along with the belt.

Signs such as unstable engine operation, for example, may indicate that a belt replacement is approaching. Also, do not neglect a simple visual inspection, which will help identify belt defects - delamination, protruding threads, tooth wear, large cracks and traces of oil on the surface. In such cases, delaying replacement is dangerous.

At the same time, if you find very tiny cracks that are barely visible to the eye, you shouldn’t worry too much, unless it’s a new acquisition.

The timing belt is not so flimsy, since it consists of dense rubber with metallized elements that allow it to withstand the workload of all these declared thousands of kilometers.

But yes, this is the first sign and over time the cracks will grow, becoming the basis for concern.

Well, most likely, bad news awaits you. A broken timing belt leads to disruption of the coordinated movement of pistons and valves, which causes them to collide. The pistons bend open valves, occasionally causing damage themselves.

Also, sometimes the camshaft and pushers or rocker arm breaks. It also happens when valves are bent that the rockers break, but it also happens the other way around - the valves are not bent, but the rocker is broken.

However, there is a small chance that the valves remain intact when the timing belt breaks, especially if the engine is old. Previously, they had special grooves for valves just for such a case. In the design of the new engines, this was sacrificed in order to increase power.

Therefore, if your timing belt breaks while driving, you should expect the worst - such repairs will be very expensive.

First, you need to purchase a timing belt replacement kit. The contents, of course, differ for different cars, but usually they contain the belt itself and the necessary rollers: guides and tensioners. Additionally, new bolts may be included, and some kits come with the pump.

For example, the kit for replacing the timing belt for a Chevrolet Lacetti (1.8), which is offered by General Motors, includes:

toothed belt;
guide roller (right);
deflection roller (left);
tension roller.

And in the kit from Gates, for replacement on Peugeot and Citroen cars with a 1.6 TU5JP4 engine, the following composition:

water pump (pump);
tension roller;
bypass roller;
toothed belt.

Having the necessary catalog numbers, you can purchase everything you need separately. This usually works out cheaper, by about 500 rubles.

Yes, there are many companies that produce the necessary materials for replacing the timing belt. They are usually divided into “original” and “analogues” - in the first case, the supplier is the car manufacturer, and in the second - third-party companies that specialize in the production of spare parts.

If you dig a little deeper, you will find out that the original belts, rollers or other parts are made by the same third-party manufacturers, only the packaging and markings are different. These are the so-called OEM suppliers - reliable companies with a good reputation that have entered into an agreement with the car manufacturer.

If you look hard enough, you can find the same part as the original, only in packaging from the OEM supplier. This will allow you to save on the brand without skimping on quality.

Among the manufacturers of timing belts and rollers, the following companies have proven themselves well: Gates, Contitech, Dayco, Bosch, INA . There are other, cheaper options that expand the price/quality range. But, as we have already found out, the timing belt is not a part you should skimp on.

If you are confident in your car repair skills, then absolutely. Please note that replacing the timing belt is one of the most time-consuming maintenance procedures. That is, if you were able to change the oil or air filter yourself, this does not mean that you will get it right the first time and change the timing belt yourself.

In addition, the details of the procedure are quite different on different engines. Most likely, the experience of replacing the engine of one car will not be very useful when working with an engine of another type. Therefore, it makes no sense to recommend any tools, nut tightening torques or timing marks, since you need to look individually for your engine in the car repair manual.

In general terms, the instructions for replacing the timing belt look like this:

Jack up the right front wheel and remove it.
Remove the top timing belt cover.
Remove the lower protection of the timing mechanism.
Place the crankshaft at TDC and align the mark on the engine housing and the marks on the crankshaft and camshaft pulleys on the same line.
Check that the TDC mark on the flywheel matches the marking.
Fix the position of the shafts (the method and tool depend on the brand of engine).
Loosen the tensioner roller.
Remove the belt.
Remove and replace the tensioner and auxiliary rollers (if equipped).
Remove/replace the pump (if necessary).
Replace the timing belt.

Video on replacing the timing belt using the example of Lada Priora

Many people change the timing belt at a service center, but the procedure is not a simple one, and if you are not sure that you can handle it properly, it is better to entrust the procedure to people who earn their living from this. You still need to choose a reliable service station, keeping in mind what difficulties a broken belt can cause.

The price of replacing a timing belt at a service station is calculated based on the make of the car and the type of engine (that is, essentially, on the complexity of the work), the qualifications of the technician and the cost of consumables.

On average, the price of a timing belt kit at a service center will be about 4-5 thousand rubles, and I’ll charge about the same for the work. Therefore, when planning to change the timing belt at a service station in 2017, you should focus on figures in the region of 10,000 rubles. More precisely, we can say by looking at a specific car.

The cost of replacing a timing belt with your own hands will naturally be lower, because here you only need to consider the prices for all the parts of the kit.

In addition, there is a wider choice among the original or analogues, and there is no service station markup.

Thus, changing the timing belt yourself will cost about 3,250 rubles - this is the average price based on the cost of 10 different sets (not including the pump) for popular cars.

Objectively assess your strengths and choose the timing belt replacement option that suits you best.

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Source: https://etlib.ru/blog/145-zamena-remnya-grm

How to change the timing belt?

In order to extend the life of the car, timely replacement of the timing belt is necessary. This is a very important and vital operation. As a rule, the timing life is designed for approximately 60,000 thousand kilometers. However, experts recommend replacing it much earlier in order to eliminate unforeseen situations.

It is worth remembering that the timing belt is responsible for the operation of the gas distribution mechanism. The timing chain or belt is a very important part on which the coordinated operation of the camshaft, crankshaft, valves and pistons depends.

The consequences of a broken timing belt for diesel and gasoline engines are completely different, but nevertheless, always deplorable. Considering that gasoline and diesel engines have different compression ratios (gasoline engines have less), the combustion chamber is larger in volume and in the event of a valve belt rupture, they do not rest against the piston when it is at top dead center.

The only exception is the V-shaped arrangement of the valves, which bear the impact of the rupture. In this case, along with replacing the belt, you will have to repair the damaged valves.

Something similar happens with diesel engines, but they mostly have in-line valves.

Therefore, after the pistons hit the valve, the camshaft will most likely become unusable.

When to change the timing belt?

There are 2 main reasons why it may be necessary to replace the timing belt.

The first reason is natural wear and tear due to long-term use. Replacing the timing belt, as a rule, should be done after 60-80 thousand kilometers, however, some motorists use the same belt for 200 thousand kilometers or more without any particular difficulties.

The second reason is damage due to non-compliance with the main operating requirements, for example:

too much load on the engine and, accordingly, on the timing belt due to active driving of non-sports cars
errors made during installation (mismatched labels, etc.)
exceeding the maximum permissible engine speed (especially in the cold season).

The main parameter by which car service technicians decide that it is necessary to replace the timing belt is the degree of its tension. If there are noticeable cracks on the “cheeks” and the bushings have chipped, then the timing chain must be urgently replaced.

Also, the decision to replace the timing chain can be made if there is a noticeable difference in the location of the timing marks that should be applied to the crankshaft pulley and the front engine cover (provided that the mark on the camshaft sprocket matches the mark on the camshaft bearing housing, the distance may be more than 10 millimeters). The main reasons for belt stretching are improper belt tension and natural wear and tear.

Timing belt installation. Timing belt marks and their meaning

Before installation, the question very often arises: “Where is the installation mark?” If you don’t want to search for marks and then bother with replacing the timing belt, then it’s better to entrust this task to specialists.

However, if you have the necessary skills, you can do it yourself.

Before starting disassembly, it is necessary to install the camshaft in the control position, and the crankshaft must be at the top dead center of the first cylinder (for some car brands - in the fourth).

It is necessary to replace the timing belt tensioner roller, gear and the belt itself in the manner indicated in the vehicle repair and operation manual (for each brand this process is specific, for example in VAZ cars the replacement principle is different from foreign cars). The entire replacement process is described in the video using the example of a Ford Focus:

Before lowering, after assembly, you need to turn the crankshaft by hand and make sure that the pistons do not rest against the valves and nothing interferes with the normal rotation of the engine. This is where the installation marks are needed. Not everyone attaches great importance to them, but the fact that the marks match indicates that the replacement work and final assembly were completed correctly.

As a rule, they are located on the rims of the camshaft sprockets and when installed they should face each other. Also, on the exhaust shaft gear, the letter “E” should be on top.

Adjusting the timing belt

In order to adjust it after replacing the belt, you must first remove the front protective cover, and then slightly loosen the bracket bolts (bottom), with which the tensioner roller is attached and its position is adjusted. Next, you need to turn the crankshaft on the side in which the ratchet is tightened about 3 turns.

The adjusting spring on the bracket will automatically set the belt tension. After this you need to tighten the bolts. It is also recommended to check the timing belt tension.

To do this, you can use a little trick - you need to rotate it around its axis. If the belt has turned 45 degrees and no more, then the tension is optimal and the tension is done correctly.

But do not over-tighten it - this will lead to severe wear and increase the likelihood of repeated rupture.

Selection of timing belts

In order to avoid unpleasant incidents with your car on the road, you need to carefully approach the issue of choosing a belt. Experts at car service centers always recommend installing original belts only from trusted manufacturers and under no circumstances using third-party brands or low-quality fakes.

A good company producing timing belts is the Indian company Pix. Products should be purchased only from official suppliers, so as not to accidentally purchase a fake.

Source: http://vsepoedem.com/story/kak-pomenyat-remen-grm