Some cars, like Subaru, have non-interference engines, which means that if the timing belt breaks while you are driving, there is no damage to the internal parts of the engine. Other cars do not have this sort of engine and damage results. According to most mechanics, all the damage that will occur does so at the moment of the timing belt breaking.
What happens if you are driving and the timing belt breaks?
Broken Timing Belt
When a timing belt breaks, you will first hear a ton of noise, and then your engine will die completely, leaving you stranded. Even if you're driving fast on a highway, your vehicle will literally stop running.
Will a car still run if the timing belt breaks?
When your car's timing belt is broken or irreplaceable, your engine will not be able to ignite or turn over properly. This means when you turn the key, you may hear the starter motor engage, but since the timing belt is responsible for operating the crank and shaft, it will not fully ignite.
What are the symptoms of a timing belt breaking?
Engine Won't Ignite: When the engine won't ignite, or turn over, the problem could be with a broken timing belt. Misfiring Engine: If the timing belt slips out of the gears, it can cause the engine to misfire. In this situation, a timing belt will need to be replaced.
Related Question what happens when a timing belt breaks while driving
How much does it cost to fix a broken timing belt?
If your timing belt is in need of replacement, you can expect that service to cost anywhere from $300 up to $500. Because the timing belt is not easily reachable on many vehicles there is a good bit of disassembly and reassembly needed to get to the belt. Economy cars with smaller engines require less labor.
What can cause a timing belt to break?
Misalignment is one of the main causes of the timing belt drive failure and can cause a broken timing belt. Excessive or uneven tooth wear on the timing belt, the belt tracking and tensile failure, and tensile damage can all be attributed to misalignment of the timing belt.
Will a car start if the timing is off?
Engine Won't Start: If the engine timing belt has broken, it won't be able to start. You may hear it “engage” as it is trying to start as you turn the key, but because the engine timing belt is what operates the camshaft and crank that turns the engine, it isn't able to start.
Can you drive your car with a bad timing chain?
If the timing chain were to break, it will jeopardize the entire internal combustion process. This means you won't be able to drive your vehicle anymore.
Can you drive without a timing belt?
For starters, your car won't run without a timing belt.
Your timing belt rotates your car's engine's cam and crankshaft. This allows each cylinder to fire at the right time. If this timing is off, the engine will not run smoothly if it is even able to run at all.
Will a broken timing chain destroy my engine?
A broken timing chain will cause an engine to not start or fail while driving. If it breaks or jumps while driving, the pistons will be damaged from contact with the valves. The valves themselves will bend and potentially ruin the engine.
How long does it take to replace a broken timing belt?
Timing Belt Repair & Replacement at Virginia Tire & Auto
Replacing the timing belt is an expensive service. It is an intricate, labor-intensive process that can take 4–8 hours, depending on the vehicle. But replacing the timing belt before it breaks will prevent engine damage and save you money in the long run.
Can you drive a car with a broken belt?
Can I Continue Driving My Car If the Serpentine Belt Is Broken? Technically, yes, you can continue driving your car, but not for long. Without a functioning belt, the water pump can't cool the engine. So, your engine will overheat very quickly.
What happens if you don't replace your timing belt?
If the timing belt were to slip away from the gears and fall onto the camshaft, one of the cylinders will open and close too soon. If that happens, an engine misfire could occur which means the belt needs to be replaced right away. If you don't replace the belt soon, the engine could be permanently damaged.
Will a broken timing belt bent the valves?
If the timing belt snaps, they run into each other, causing bent valves (most common), cylinder head or camshaft damage, and possibly piston and cylinder wall damage. In a non-interference engine, the pistons and valves don't occupy the same space, so if the timing belt snaps, no valve or cylinder damage occurs.
How much does it cost to fix the timing on a car?
Having a timing belt replaced before it breaks will cost between $500 and $1,000 on average while waiting for it to break before replacing can cost upward of $2,000 or more. Especially, if there's other damage that occurred in the process.
How do you tell if valves are bent after timing belt broke?
Can a bad timing belt cause loss of power?
Lack of Power and Engine Misfiring
A worn-out timing belt will affect your engine fire rate since it is attached to the pulleys that drive the crankshaft. Sometimes, the belt will slip on the camshaft drive causing the engine cylinder to open and close earlier than it should.