At 242,000kms, Just about almost 40,000kms covered after changing my timing belt, the timing belt slipped while driving.
Down into 2nd gear, 3500+rpm, going uphill, getting ready to overtake a 40ft container truck. The road clears, I floor the accelerator, engine roars 4000, 4500, 5000, just as I'm about to pull out from behind the truck, a loud grinding and the car lost power, lifted off the accelerator, floor it again, engine screamed at me "are you crazy!!?" and it died. Shifted the gear into N, and luckily I had enough speed to cruise to a stop by the road shoulder. This happened near Bukit Putus, on the 2nd highest bridge in Malaysia
Lucky I was nearby my local garage, called my mechanic to come take a look. After opening the timing belt cover, it was confirmed that the timing belt slipped. Had to tow the car to the garage.
After opening up the engine, all four of my pistons had two nicks in them from valves hitting. I had to replace all the 8 valves. Although the nicks on the piston head were quite deep, My mechanic assured me that it was re-use-able. Phew, quite a lot of money saved there. He took about 4 days to get my car ready. And in that 4days, There were another 3 cars that came in with the same issue. premature wear of the timing belt.
 |
| Piston Nicks on Piston No.1& 4. This is another car which had its timing belt slipped too. Mine were double the size of this. |
I've never seen this kind of damage on a timing belt. Usually the 'teeth' wear off or the belt breaks, but never the 'teeth' coming off from the belt.
My mechanic said, these past few months he has seen many cases of premature belt failure like this. Most occurring between 60,000kms - 70,000kms. So, if you've covered 50,00kms on your current timing belt, PLEASE have your mechanic check on its condition.
 |
| Squeaky Clean |
 |
| The damage done |
The engine feels brand new now. So much smoother and more definitely more torque
