What are the symptoms of a bad timing gear?
2 Answers
When the timing gear is damaged, the vehicle may experience issues such as unstable idle speed and poor acceleration, and fuel consumption will also increase significantly. Below is relevant information about timing gears: 1. Overview: A timing gear is a gear in mechanical devices that serves to position the time scale for completing related control functions. 2. Types: There are three transmission methods for timing gears: chain drive, toothed belt drive, and gear drive. Passenger car engines use toothed belt drive for both the positive and negative gears. This transmission method has advantages such as simple structure, low noise, smooth operation, high transmission accuracy, and good synchronization. However, its strength is relatively low, and after long-term use, it is prone to aging, stretching deformation, or breakage, making it difficult to observe its working condition.
The symptoms of a bad timing belt or chain are quite noticeable. I encountered this issue last time when repairing my car. The engine makes strange rattling or squeaking noises, especially when accelerating, and the sound becomes particularly loud, as if something is fighting inside. Starting the car also becomes difficult—sometimes, after pressing the ignition button, the engine just shudders a few times and stalls. While driving, there’s a sudden loss of power, the throttle becomes unresponsive, the engine shakes violently, the car body wobbles, and the tachometer fluctuates wildly. If ignored, it could lead to piston and valve collision, resulting in total engine failure, which would cost a fortune to fix. My advice is to take the car to a reliable repair shop immediately if you notice these issues. It’s best to replace the timing belt or chain, and regular maintenance can prevent such problems—don’t wait until it breaks to regret it.
