A timing belt, timing chain or cam belt is a part of an internal combustion engine that controls the timing of the engine’s valves. Some engines use timing gears. The term “timing belt” is also used to describe any flat belt with integral teeth. Such belts are used for power transmission or to interchange rotary motion and linear motion, where either high loads or maintaining a specific drive ratio are important.

 

A common non-automotive application is in linear positioning systems. Such belts have also been used in efforts to make a cleaner, lower-maintenance bicycle transmission but have never become popular in this application.

 

The camshaft opens and closes the valves in synchronicity with the movement of the pistons. Thus the name, “timing belt”. A timing belt may also be called a Gilmer belt or a camshaft drive belt.

The timing belt is a large rubber band looking belt notched in certain places to allow the crankshaft to turn the camshaft. The name timing belt comes from the fact that timing belt is responsible for the synchronized movement of the camshaft and the pistons.

 

If the timing belt doesn’t do its job of keeping the camshaft valves open and closed in parallel order with the camshaft then the whole engine can fail. Also, if the timing belt breaks or slips off it will cause the engine to immediately stop working or even do critical damage to engines life.