Timing belt inspection and replacement integral

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This article was published 29/01/2016 (3833 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Question: I drive a 2010 Subaru Outback with the 2.5 litre, four-cylinder engine. I have put 130,000 kilometres on the car since buying it new. It has been a good vehicle with few problems, but now my local garage is telling me I should have the timing belt replaced. How do you know when to replace a timing belt?

Answer: If a timing belt fails, it can cause expensive engine damage because on most current engines, the pistons will hit and bend the intake or exhaust valves. Often, it is cheaper to install a used engine than repair the existing one after this type of failure.

The best way to tell when to change the timing belt is to look at the maintenance schedule in the owner’s manual or ask at the dealership for the recommended maintenance intervals. On your Subaru, they recommend inspecting the belt every 48,000 kilometres and changing it at 168,000 kms. Other vehicles have different change intervals so use the maintenance schedule for your own make and model.

During the inspection, look for fraying, cracks or damaged teeth on the belt, along with oil or antifreeze leaks on the belt. If any of these are present, you should change the belt and fix the leaks if required. The timing belt drives the water pump on this engine, so it is common practice to change the water pump when the belt is changed to prevent coolant leaks later.

When the belt is changed, all the idler pulley bearings should be checked for smoothness of operation and the belt tensioner should also be changed. The aftermarket often makes a kit that contains the belt, tensioner, water pump (if required) and any idler pulleys the belt runs on. The kit costs more, but since this such an important drive system, making it operate like new again is a good investment.

 

Question: My son bought a 2011 Hyundai Sonata SE but it came with only one key (it’s that special keyless entry remote). I’m worried he may leave that lone key on the seat upon exiting the car and shut the driver’s door, and without a spare in a safe place at home, he cannot open the door again.

I know many modern cars have a safety feature that does not allow the driver to shut the door if the driver doesn’t have the key in his or her hands. Can you please tell me how it is done in my son’s vehicle model? I would appreciate your help very much. Grace

Answer: Hyundai calls the keyless remote your son has a smart key, where you can open and lock doors with the touch of a button on the outside door handles or the buttons on the smart key. You can use the start button in the car to start the engine with the smart key inside the vehicle. There is also a mechanical key that slides into the end of the smart key (it looks like part of the remote) and can be removed and used to open the doors and start the engine. The system is designed so the doors will not lock if the smart key is inside the vehicle, but if the battery goes dead in the smart key or there is metal surrounding it, the signal from the key can’t get to the receiver, so the system may not recognize the smart key is in the vehicle and it is possible to lock the doors with the key inside.

My recommendation would be to get another key cut. There was a key code with the original key set that allowed the dealer to cut a correct key for the vehicle. It would seem you don’t have that code, but usually the dealer will record that code on the original paperwork they had when the car was sold. If you can contact the dealer with the serial number of the vehicle, they can get you another key.

Keys with the remote lock and unlock transmitters in the key head can be expensive. I have seen them run from about $80 to several hundred dollars depending on the make of vehicle. You could also get a mechanical key cut without the remote function head for much less money. It is not as convenient, but may serve your needs in an emergency.

james.kerr@sasktel.net