When it comes to a car as carefully manufactured as a Porsche, ensuring that your parts are up to date is incredibly important. Under the hood, each part of your vehicle typically works in conjunction with a handful of other parts. The timing belt is no exception.

When you suspect your timing belt may be near the end of its lifespan, it is best not to hesitate to take it into a shop. You have come to love the reliably high-performance of your Porsche, but a faulty timing belt can ruin that performance.

The Function of the Timing Belt

The timing belt is a glorified rubber band under the hood. However, it is a rubber band pulled incredibly taut with notches on the side. The biggest importance of your timing belt is that it connects the crankshaft to the camshaft in your car.

When the crankshaft turns as you drive, it activates the movement of the timing belt. When the timing belt starts to move, it allows the camshaft to turn. This allows engine valves to open. As the engine valves open and close, air is sucked into the engine bay. This factors into the movement of the pistons in your engine.

The movement of the timing belt is the controlling factor for the opening of the engine valves and movement of the pistons. When the timing belt becomes faulty, this very specific order of events gets thrown out of sequence, and the engine can shut down.

Common Signs Your Timing Belt Has Gone Bad

Given the importance of the timing belts duties, you should take any issue with it seriously. Most user manuals will tell you around what mileage your Porsche needs to have its timing belt replaced. However, unexpected vehicle problems are, unfortunately, far more common.

Below are some of the most common signs you may see of a timing belt that has gone bad.

Odd Clicking Noises

As mentioned, the timing belt controls the motion of the camshaft. If your timing belt has gone bad or comes loose under the hood, gears in the camshaft may begin to grind against one another. This should be a strong indication of a failed timing belt.

Engine Misfires

If your timing belt has gone bad, it is almost certain that your engine will have trouble working properly. As the pistons on your vehicle fire and get launched back to their starting positions, the energy garnered is turned into power for the vehicle. However, if the specific order of the pistons firing is wrong due to a bad timing belt, your engine will likely misfire.

Smoke Rising From the Car

Mentioned earlier, the timing belt controlling the opening and closing of the valves on your Porsche is crucial. Engine valves control the air being let into the engine bay and if they do not open when they should, heat can begin to build up. This may result in large amounts of smoke rising from the car. If this happens, pull to the side of the road right away.

Replacing Your Timing Belt

Not replacing your timing belt when it is time can have serious repercussions on the engine of your vehicle. You risk overheating the engine and even damaging the camshaft. In a car where high-performance is the name of the game, such as Porsche, a timing belt issue should be fixed immediately.

Even if you are not at the listed mileage for a replacement, open up the hood of your car sometime and look for the black rubberized belt. If anything looks amiss, reach out to a mechanic shop right away for inspection.

Rowlett Motorwerks Can Help You

Rowlett Motorwerks services every vehicle brand under the sun. Our goal is to ensure your satisfaction. We have been helping clients in the areas of Garland, Rockwall, Sachse, Wylie, and Rowlett, TX for years and have the experience you need for your vehicle.

We understand the amount of precision and care that went into the creation of your powerful Porsche. The mechanics here at Rowlett Motorwerks can give the intricate components of your Porsche the high-quality service that it deserves.

Please do not hesitate to call or visit us today. Schedule an appointment and see why Rowlett Motorwerks is the best option for getting your car back into peak condition.