What are the effects of belt aging?
2 Answers
Generally, there will be no significant impact. The engine belt is a rubber component, and the car's timing belt is typically used for 2 years. Grease and impurities: 1. Once the belt is damaged, the valve and ignition operations will stop or become chaotic, causing the engine to cease functioning. Moreover, if the engine's valve movement is designed with the lowest point overlapping with the piston's stop point; 2. If the timing belt breaks at this point, due to inertia, the crankshaft will continue to drive the piston up and down, while the valves remain stationary because the camshaft stops. The valves may stop at the lowest point; 3. When the piston of this cylinder moves to the top dead center, it may collide with the valves. The upper end of the valve is a solid cam that cannot move, resulting in a bent valve stem, a dented piston top, and in severe cases, damage to the cylinder head. Once this happens, the engine will require a major overhaul.
Oh man, after decades of driving, I've seen way too many cases of belt aging – this stuff is serious. Old belts are prone to cracking or snapping. A failed timing belt can destroy the engine outright. If it breaks at highway speeds, you lose power steering and the wheel becomes unbearably stiff, making it nearly impossible to turn, plus braking becomes a struggle. When the AC belt goes, summer feels like a steamer. And aged belts slipping can stop the alternator from charging, draining the battery fast and leaving you stranded roadside – super dangerous. My neighbor learned this the hard way by skipping inspections, ending up stuck in the suburbs with a multi-thousand-dollar tow and repair bill. Watch for surface cracks, stiffness, or squealing at startup – replace immediately. Safety trumps savings every time. Regular maintenance is king.
