What are the consequences of a car's timing belt breaking?
2 Answers
If a car's timing belt breaks, it can result in loss of power, poor acceleration, unstable idling, and abnormal engine noises. In severe cases, it may cause the engine to be completely damaged. The timing belt is a crucial component of the engine's valve system, ensuring accurate intake and exhaust timing by connecting to the crankshaft and maintaining a specific transmission ratio. The timing belt plays a pivotal role in synchronizing the engine's operation. Typically, vehicles require timing belt replacement after driving 30,000 to 80,000 kilometers. When the timing belt breaks, the crankshaft continues to drive the pistons up and down due to inertia, while the valves remain stationary as the camshaft stops rotating. If a valve is stuck at its lowest point, the piston in that cylinder may collide with the valve when it reaches the top dead center.
Last time when I was driving, the timing belt suddenly snapped, causing the car to immediately stall and lose all power. It was especially dangerous on the highway, with the car behind almost rear-ending me. After opening the engine for inspection, the internal valves and pistons had directly collided, severely bending the valves and nearly writing off the entire engine. The repairs cost over seven thousand, wiping out my entire month's salary. Now I strictly follow the manual for maintenance, recommending the belt be replaced every 80,000 kilometers or six years. Don’t skimp on this expense—ignoring this hidden danger comes at too high a cost. The engine might sound normal daily, but an aging belt can snap silently, leading to even higher towing and repair costs.
