V-belts vs Timing belts (what’s the difference?)
Most car owners don’t understand the difference between a fan belt and a timing belt. In some cases, these two names are used interchangeably. However, V-belts and timing belts serve two completely different purposes.
But both are important parts of an internal combustion engine. In fact, the engine must be running to move these belts. They support other components of the vehicle while it is running.
Note: Some vehicles use a timing chain instead of a timing belt. Read this article to learn the difference between timing belt and timing chain.
V-belts absorb mechanical power from the engine and transfer it to several peripheral components of the vehicle such as: water pump, power steering pump, alternator, air pump, oil pump, and air conditioning compressor.
On the other hand, the timing belt is responsible for keeping the camshaft and crankshaft movements in sync. Let’s take a look at why these features are so important to your vehicle.
V-Belt
A V-belt is a very long single belt that runs continuously. It is located on the outside of the engine block. You can get a good view of the belt from the front when you look at the engine block.
It’s long, black, thin, rubbery, and has a ribbed exterior. The most important accessories of a car engine depend on the V-belt to provide the power it needs.
It’s not just a continuous snake-like belt that wraps around these accessories to provide power. If the belt fails for any reason, all of these peripheral engine accessories will fail or stop working completely.
A failed belt will cause the engine to overheat and eventually stall. Belts usually fail due to aging, but they can also fail if the engine leaks coolant or oil. The belt tensioner can also put improper tension on the belt, causing it to move out of alignment.
Luckily, replacing a V-belt is cheap. Even if you have to go to a mechanic to replace the belt, the job is quick and easy, so you don’t have to worry too much about labor costs either.
Timing Belt
The timing belt is inside your engine. More importantly, it allows the camshaft to open and close the intake and exhaust valves at the right time so the pistons don’t hit each other.
On certain types of internal combustion engines, the timing belt also helps drive the engine’s oil and water pumps. But in any engine, the timing belt’s primary job is to connect the camshaft to the crankshaft with its teeth.
The teeth are on the inside surface of the timing belt. The distance between each tooth is called the pitch. The strap itself is made from durable materials like welded urethane, neoprene, and molded polyurethane. These materials are designed to last a long time. A faulty timing belt can be more detrimental than a faulty V-belt. If the timing belt is not working properly, it can cause permanent and expensive damage to your engine.
To keep your timing belt in good condition for longer, it is important that your engine does not overheat or leak oil. Engine overheating and oil leaks are the most common causes of timing belt failure. It’s important to check your owner’s manual to see when your timing belt needs replacing and then either have it replaced or replace it yourself.
However, if you notice signs of wear on your timing belt, it’s much better to spend a few hundred dollars to have it repaired than to buy a new engine. Have it replaced right away to avoid any damage to your engine.