The timing belt is a critical component in ensuring the smooth operation of your machineries. Over time, timing belts and their related components endure significant stress, leading to wear and potential failure. By addressing wear and tear early, you can extend the life of your engine and maintain peak efficiency.
RAGGED BREAK
Causes:
- Penetration of foreign matter in the transmission
- Locking of a transmission component
- Excessive assembly tension
- Contact with fuel, petroleum derivatives or solvents
Actions:
- Check the correct fastening of the transmission components and protective case, and its integrity
- Check the wear condition of the components and verify their correct operation
- Tension the belt correctly
- Replace the faulty belt
CLEAN BREAK
Causes:
- Incorrect handling during installation
- Use of inappropriate tools during installation
Actions:
- During the installation operations, do not twist or bend the belt excessively
- During assembly, do not use inappropriate tools or levers to fit the belt on the pulleys; if there are flanges on the pulleys, do not force the belt and fully loosen the tensioner to guarantee minimum amplitude of the belt
- Replace the faulty belt
LOOSE TEETH
Causes:
- Low working tension of the belt
- Loss of tension in the belt
- Penetration of foreign matters in the transmission
Actions:
- Check the belt tension and tension it correctly
- Check the integrity and correct fastening of the tensioner and other transmission components
- Replace the faulty belt
SIDE WEAR
Causes:
- Misalignment of the tensioner or one of the transmission component
Actions:
- Check the integrity and correct fastening of the tensioner and other transmission components and reset the alignment if necessary
- Replace the tensioner and/or pulley if worn
- Replace the faulty belt
WORN LAND AREA
Causes:
- Excessive tension
- Worn pulleys
Actions:
- Replace the worn rigid component
- Replace the belt and reset the correct working tension
- Replace the faulty belt
WORN TEETH
Causes:
- Irregular tension
- Pulleys with worn teeth
- Belt tooth profile not compatible with the pulley notches
Actions:
- Reset the correct belt tension
- Replace the worn rigid component
- Check compatibility between the belt tooth profile and the pulley notches
- Replace the faulty belt
CRACK ON THE BELT BACK
Causes:
- Operation at excessively high or low temperatures
Actions:
- Check the working environment temperature and use belts produced with heat-resistant compounds
- Replace the faulty belt
TOOTH SWELLING
Causes:
- Contamination by solvents, lubricants or coolant
Actions:
- Handle with clean hands as much as possible
- Remove any contaminant leakage from the engine
- Replace the faulty belt
By implementing these preventative measures and conducting regular inspections, you can significantly extend the lifespan of your belts, minimize costly downtime, and improve the overall efficiency of your operations. If you’re facing persistent belt damage issues or need expert advice on belt selection and maintenance, don’t hesitate to contact UNI-DRIVE for a further consultation.
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