EdupradaThe timing belt and the accessory belt have a similar name and yet they are totally different. If you don’t know the difference between the role of these two belts, this article is for you! We take stock of the differences between the accessory belt and the timing belt!
What are the differences between a timing belt and an accessory belt?
A belt is a part that allows to transmit the energy of your engine to other equipment in your car. How ? The motor drives the belt in its movement, which in turn drives other elements.
The belts are usually flexible, tensioned with tension rollers and very heat resistant. Your vehicle is generally equipped with two belts, which should not be confused:
The distribution belt
It has a key role in moving the car forward. The timing belt synchronizes the movement of pistons and sometimes the water pump is also integrated into this gear. It is notched in shape valves.
The accessory belt
As its name suggests, the accessory belt is used to power the accessories of your car by recovering energy from your engine when it is running. These main accessories are the alternator (which then powers your battery) , the water pump, the air conditioning compressor and the .. It is also called an alternator belt. power steering
Is it necessary to change the accessory belt when changing the timing belt?
It depends on the position of the two belts! On the most recent vehicles, they are placed more and more often on each side of the engine. In this case, you do not need to change the timing belt at the same time as the accessory belt.
On older cars, as well as larger vehicles such as vans or vans, the timing belt is placed behind the accessory belt. To access the first, the mechanic will be obliged to dismantle the second.
By touching the accessory belt, there is a risk of it being reassembled incorrectly (poor tension or alignment, small tears, etc.). This is why we advise you to replace both at the same time when changing the timing belt on this type of vehicle.
How much does it cost to change the timing belt?
It is difficult to give an exact price for changing your timing belt, as it depends a lot on the make and model of your car. Still count between 300 and 1,000 €, labor included.
Even if it is a very expensive intervention, it should not be taken lightly! If your timing belt breaks while you are driving, you risk permanent damage to your engine.
Why does it cost so much to change your timing belt? To begin with, it is a long and complex operation. To access the belt, many parts of the engine often have to be dismantled.
And then even if we talk about changing the timing belt, in reality it’s tall the kit a>.accessory belt, and sometimes water pump distribution rollers, The latter contains many other parts: which must be changed!
How much does it cost to change the accessory belt?
Much cheaper than replacing timing belt, its price is not the same depending on the car models. It also varies if you want to replace only the belt, or also its tension rollers:
- Changing the belt alone: count approximately between 30 and 100€ excluding labor.
- Changing the belt and rollers: count approximately between 80 and 200€.