5 Things to Know About a Volkswagen Timing Belt in the Greater Houston, TX Area
You may have heard that it's important to get the timing belt in your vehicle changed when recommended, but why? At our authorized Volkswagen service center in Houston, TX, we believe our customers should know the answers to this question and others. Below, we look at five things we think are important to know about an engine's timing belt. Not all vehicles are equipped with a timing belt, but if yours is, neglecting the proper maintenance can be costly. If you have any questions or would like a better Volkswagen service, repair, and maintenance shop, schedule an appointment online or come see us in person at 10400 Southwest Frwy, Houston, TX 77074.
5. Does Your Vehicle's Engine Even Have a Timing Belt?
To run properly, or at all, a gas-powered engine needs a variety of parts to operate in precise time with each other. That's where the timing belt comes in to ensure that the position of each piston in the cylinder corresponds exactly with the intake and exhaust valves. This is accomplished with either a timing belt or a timing chain. Consult your local authorized dealership or the owner's manual for your vehicle to see which one is in your engine.
4. What's the Difference Between a Timing Belt & a Timing Chain?
As you may have guessed from their names, one is a rubber belt and the other is a metal chain. They both connect the crankshaft and pistons to the camshafts and valves so all these parts will work seamlessly with each other. However, there are a couple significant differences beyond their material. Because it's rubber, a timing belt will need to be replaced periodically just like the drive belt on your engine. A timing chain, on the other hand, will typically last throughout the life of the engine.
3. Why Should You Have the Timing Belt Replaced as Recommended?
The main reason that many engines have timing belts is because they're quieter and more fuel efficient. Though, if your vehicle is equipped with a timing belt, we strongly recommend that you not ignore its maintenance. If a worn timing belt breaks, the damage to the engine can be catastrophic.
2. What Happens if Your Timing Belt Breaks?
A lot of modern engines, to include those with timing belts, are considered interference engines. This means that the pistons and valves will occupy the same space in the cylinder at different times. If the timing belt fails causing the valves and pistons to try and occupy the same space at the same time, repairing the resulting damage could prove more costly than simply replacing the entire engine.
1. Consider Having the Water Pump Replaced With the Timing Belt
Replacing a timing belt means taking apart much of the engine, which exposes the location of the water pump. Since the water pump is likely to wear at a similar rate as the timing belt, it will save a lot of labor and money to simply have it replaced at the same time as the timing belt. The last thing anyone wants is to go through a big project like a timing belt replacement only to take everything back apart next month when the old water pump finally gives out.