Car Part Replacement: What to do if Your Timing Belt Snaps

When it comes to car parts, sometimes the smallest and the most seemingly harmless parts tend to be overlooked by car owners. When you’re driving your Land Rover, and it suddenly breaks down, the first thing you’re going to think might be: “I hope it’s not the engine.” Or the transmission. Or the battery. Or the alternator. You’re not alone. We don’t automatically assume the problem is something small, like a fuse, belt or even a wire. We often forget that, while little in size, these Land Rover parts can play a big role in how our car functions.

Consider the timing belt, for example. This belt may be small in stature, but it is one of the most important maintenance items on your car. This belt is ribbed and is positioned on one side of your engine in a specific configuration. It’s responsible for making sure your camshafts and crank are properly timed. In other words, it keeps the bottom of your engine, which includes items like the pistons and crankcase in sync with the upper half of the engine or the valves and cylinder head.

 

Do I Have a Timing Belt?

Not all cars have timing belts. In fact, many new models are manufactured without them. They instead have timing chains made of metal that are intended to last the entire life of the engine. Older model Land Rovers, however, have timing belts. If you own a vehicle made in the 1990s, it probably has a timing belt. The 1990 Land Rover Defender 2.5 110 TDI Diesel, for instance, does. If you’re not sure, however, and you aren’t sure what you’re looking for, take a look at your owner’s manual. This expansive guide will give you the information you need on this and any other car parts.

 

When Should a Timing Belt be Changed?

Like many other Land Rover parts, the timing belt needs to be part of your maintenance schedule and changed on occasion. Your owner’s manual will let you know the specific schedule you should stick to for your particular model. However, a good rule of thumb is to change the timing belt every five years or 60,000 miles, whichever one occurs first.

 

If My Timing Belt Snaps, Will it Hurt my Engine?

It actually depends on the type of engine your Land Rover has. There are two different types: non-interface and interface.

With an interface engine, the stroke of the piston and the valve are in the same location within the cylinder. Each stroke of these two parts occurs within the same space, but at different times. This means the timing belt is in charge of making sure these two parts don’t crash into one another as they move. It controls each stroke so everything operates smoothly.

 

If your timing belt snaps and you have an interface engine, damage can occur because there is nothing controlling the strokes of the valves and pistons. This means there is a possibility that they will crash into one another, resulting in damage to the cylinder wall, camshaft or cylinder head damage, piston damage and bent valves.

On a non-interface kind of engine, damage is much less likely to occur. This is because the valves and pistons aren’t operating in the same area. If the belt happens to snap, they will continue operating. A new timing belt will be needed, to ensure the Land Rover drives as it normally should.

 

How Much Does Timing Belt Replacement Cost?

When your timing belt snaps, which can happen naturally over time as it wears down or when it isn’t changed on a regular basis, replacing it is essential. It’s also important to change this belt at regular service intervals. On some vehicles, accessing the timing belt is difficult and this drives up the price. If you were to take it to a mechanic, you could expect to pay between £250 and £450, depending on how much time and effort it takes to reach the engine and replace the belt.

Replacing it yourself is much less expensive, but may not be an option. A new timing belt costs less than £40 for a 1990 to 1998 Land Rover Defender, for instance, but if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing, you may need to seek help when installing it.

If you take on this job yourself, you’ll also need additional tools you may have to purchase or hire, like:

 

• Ratchet

• Breaker bar

• Assorted sockets

• Assorted extensions

• Assorted open-ended wrenches

• Hex sockets

• Torx sockets

• Hydraulic jack

• Reverse Torx sockets

• Pry bar

• Screwdrivers

• 3-prong pulley puller

• Jack stands

• Wire brush

• Gloves

 

After removing the old timing belt and timing belt tensioner, you can install the new belt easily by checking the sprockets on the camshaft and crank. The belt should have marks on them that corresponds with the marks on these and help you understand the orientation of the belt. When you install the timing belt tensioner, keep an eye on these marks. Once installed, turn the crank pulley a few times to see if the marks line up correctly with each turn. This will let you know if the timing is correct.

Keep in mind that removing and replacing this Land Rover part can be complicated and may not be the right DIY option for some car owners. If not replaced correctly, the timing belt may not operate correctly, which can cause damage to the car parts within your engine. If you aren’t sure you know what to do to get your timing belt on and running right, let a professional help. It may cost more now, but the savings will be worth it when your Land Rover runs as it should.

The next time your Land Rover makes a funny noise, emits a weird odour or simply acts wrong, don’t automatically assume a large car part is to blame. Those small car parts may not take up a lot of room, but they play a large role in how your vehicle operates.