Causes of Timing Belts Failure and the Solution
This unique troubleshoot guide makes it easier for you to identify possible causes of your timing belt transmission failure.
You can find main potential causes of drive belt failure that are possibly damaging your timing belt, shortening its lifespan, etc. Simultaneously, presented here are instructions on how such problems may be solved.
Symptoms of a Timing Belt Failure
- Running Noises from Belt
- Edge Wear
- Fabric Wear in the Tooth Root
- Unacceptable Wear of Tooth Flanks / Base Separating and Tooth Shearing
- Teeth and Fabric Separating from Belt Body
- Running Marks on Teeth Side
- Cracks on the Back of Timing Belt
- Timing Belt Snaps
- Defective System Components
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Running Noises from Belt
| Diagnosis | Solution |
|---|---|
| Tension too high: Belt whines, whistles | Adjust tension properly |
| Tension too low: Belt knocks against covering | Adjust tension properly |
Edge Wear
| Diagnosis | Solution |
|---|---|
| Belt not parallel to axis: Belt runs against flanged pulley | Check drive, line up or, if necessary, replace any non-aligned pulleys, change the belt |
| Wheels axially off-centre: Timing belt cannot be properly aligned | Check drive, line up or, if necessary, replace any non-aligned pulleys, change the belt |
| Flanged pulley has flaws | Replace idler/tensioning pulleys, change the belt |
| Bearing play in components | Replace idler/tensioning pulleys, change the belt |
Fabric Wear in the Tooth Root
| Diagnosis | Solution |
|---|---|
| Belt excessively tensioned | Change the belt, adjust tension correctly |
| Belt is overheating | Find out cause (e.g. check cold performance), take corrective action, change the belt |
| Timing belt pulley is worn out | Replace timing belt pulley, change the belt |
Unacceptable Wear of Tooth Flanks / Base Separating and Tooth Shearing
| Diagnosis | Solution |
|---|---|
| Tension too high/too low | Change the belt, adjust tension properly |
| Trapped foreign matter | Remove foreign matter, check covering is seated properly, change the belt |
| Jammed timing belt pulley or tensioning pulley | Find out cause (e.g. defective bearing), take corrective action, change the belt |
Teeth and Fabric Separating from Belt Body
| Diagnosis | Solution |
|---|---|
| Leaks in the engine or engine compartment (e.g. escape of oil, antifreeze etc.) | Repair leak(s), change the belt |
Running Marks on Teeth Side
| Diagnosis | Solution |
|---|---|
| Foreign matter in timing belt drive | Remove foreign matter, change the belt, check the cover is seated properly |
| Flaws in teeth of timing belt pulley caused by foreign matter or tools during fitting | Replace timing belt pulley, change the belt, ensuring it is properly fitted |
| Timing belt damaged before/during fitting | Change the belt, ensuring it is properly fitted |
Cracks on the Back of Timing Belt
| Diagnosis | Solution |
|---|---|
| Ambient temperature too high/low | Find out cause (e.g. check cold performance), take corrective action, change the belt |
| Contact with foreign media | Change the belt, check the covering is seated properly |
| Back idler pulley sluggish | Replace pulley, change the belt |
| Ageing | Change the belt |
Timing Belt Snaps
| Diagnosis | Solution |
|---|---|
| Foreign matter in the drive | Remove foreign matter/media, change the belt |
| Contact with foreign media | Change the belt, check the covering is seated properly |
| Excessive tensioning | Change the belt, adjust tension properly |
| Belt was crimped before/during mounting | Change the belt and fit it correctly |
Defective System Components
| Diagnosis | Solution |
|---|---|
| Bearing play | Replace the idler, tensioning and/or guide pulley |
| Damaged running surface | Replace the idler, tensioning and/or guide pulley |
Need a New Timing Belt and Do Not Know Exactly Which One?
We honestly understand you. Marking on a broken belt is sometimes not easily seen. Thus, we have prepared a guide for you to identify different sorts and types of belts.
Documents for Download
Causes of Failures - Problem - Diagnosis - Solution
ContiTech User Guide
Czech and English (pdf 463.81 kB)
