{"id":4575,"date":"2020-05-26T13:26:40","date_gmt":"2020-05-26T11:26:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.febi.com\/?p=4575"},"modified":"2020-05-26T13:26:41","modified_gmt":"2020-05-26T11:26:41","slug":"teflon-coated-and-low-friction-interesting-facts-about-timing-belts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.febi.com\/en\/teflon-coated-and-low-friction-interesting-facts-about-timing-belts\/","title":{"rendered":"Teflon-Coated and Low-Friction: Interesting Facts About Timing Belts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In regard to moving\ncomponents, modern engines require the highest wear resistance – especially\ndirect-injection turbo diesel and gasoline engines. For this reason, they are\nmainly equipped with timing chains at the factory. The alternative to the\ntiming chain is a timing belt. Due to their material \u2013 plastic or rubber \u2013 they\nare lighter and run much smoother. Since they do not have to run in oil, unlike\nthe timing chain, they are often used in smaller vehicles with compact engines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please Observe Change Intervals<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A clear disadvantage of the\ntiming belt is that it does not last the entire service life of a vehicle. As a\nresult, it must therefore be replaced in a timely manner. If this does not happen,\nthe timing belt can tear meaning serious consequences can occur including\nengine damage. For this reason, the timing belt should be checked at each\ninspection or according to the manufacturer’s specifications (e.g. VW every\n30,000 km, Seat every 15,000 km). Timing belts that run like timing chains through\noil are the exception to this rule. They can reach replacement intervals of\n240,000 km or after ten years, e.g. for the Ford EcoBoost engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the timing\nbelt, all adjacent components that directly affect the control process should\nalso be serviced in the workshop. In the case of timing belt control, these\nare, for example, tensioner pulleys, idler pulleys, water pumps, crankshaft\nsprockets, camshaft sprockets, or seals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Damage Patterns and Their Possible Causes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n Extraction of teeth\n <\/td>\n Too little voltage or\n leakage from the engine (leakage of coolant or oil)\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Bar wear and sprocket withdrawal\n <\/td>\n Running-in crankshaft\n sprocket\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Teeth wear      \n <\/td>\n Aging, excessive heat,\n idler roller\/tensioner pulley difficult to move\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Cracks on the back\n <\/td>\n Aging, excessive heat, idler\n roller\/tensioner pulley difficult to move\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Uniform fracture\/crack\n <\/td>\n Kinking of the timing belt\n before or during installation, lever tool used during installation, effects\n of external influences e.g. stones\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Timing belt crack\n <\/td>\n Defective pulley due to foreign\n objects\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Separation of the teeth on\n the timing belt       \n <\/td>\n Blockage of a moving part,\n missing oil lubrication in the area of the cylinder head, hydraulic cam\n follower seized up\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Timing belt runs off\n sideways \n <\/td>\n Misalignment due to a\n defective tensioner pulley\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n

More Protection Thanks to Coating<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The demands placed upon\ntiming drives are constantly increasing and lead to the continuous, further\ndevelopment of timing belts. For example, some timing belts are coated with polytetrafluoroethylene\n\u2013 or, put more simply, Teflon. Thanks to the coating, friction and wear are\nreduced. This in turn increases the service life of the belt, especially in the\ncase of high-performance motors. The coating can vary in color, but this has no\neffect on the function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some timing belts have\nadditional fabric on the tooth and\/or back which serves to stiffen the belt and\nto prevent misalignment and thus flank wear. The fabric is joined with a seam\nwhich is visible due to the production process. However, this joining\ntechnique, which takes place before curing, does not constitute a defect and\ndoes not affect the functionality of the belt.<\/p>\n