Buying a car is a big budget for most of us, nevertheless, to this one you will have to add the maintenance of your motor vehicle, and for some maintenance acts the bill can be quite high. It is therefore obvious to ask yourself when is the most fortunate time to carry out these repairs and not do them “for nothing”. On this page we are going to show you to you when to change the timing belt on your Kia Optima? For that, first of all, we are going to find out why it is essential to do this act of maintenance, then, when to do the timing belt of your Kia Optima , then, we are going to fairly quickly demonstrate to you how this change is done, and, finally, how much it costs to do the timing belt of a Kia Optima.
Why do we need to change the timing belt of an Kia Optima?
As we informed you in introduction, changing a timing belt on a Kia Optima represents a considerable budget, so we discover that you are hesitant to do it and to allow you to discover the importance of this fix, so we will fairly quickly show you why it is so important to do it on time.
Your Kia Optima’s timing belt action
The timing of a Kia Optima has an essential function in the smooth running of your engine. Indeed, it will have the mission to synchronize the valves and pistons, and to make the link between the camshaft, the water pump, the crankshaft and the injection pump . It will enable the engine to work effectively, and avoid any risk of engine breakage. The shorter the distance your vehicle travels, the more your belt will be solicited when starting the engine.
What are the risks if the timing belt is not changed in time?
The issue with the timing of a Kia Optima is that it is internal to the engine. And therefore, contrary to an accessory belt, it is unachievable to visually check its state. So you might think that this belt is just an insignificant component, but the risks you take if you don’t change it in time are substantial. If the timing of your Kia Optima breaks, you will most certainly have to change the engine of this one. Indeed, the pistons will hit the valves and injure them, and the camshaft will as well break. The faster the engine is running at the moment of the breakage, the more severe the consequences are. It is therefore fundamental to make your timing belt on time .
When to do the timing belt of its Kia Optima?
We will now answer the question that you all have to ask yourselves, when to make the timing belt of a Kia Optima? It is necessary to know that each engine is different and as we explained earlier, we must not miss on the replacement of this component. The more we advance in time the more the manufacturers improve the timing belt and normally the more recent your Kia Optima will be the less you will have to get worried about your belt. However, look at your Kia Optima’s service book to get the exact life and maximum mileage you can accomplish before you do the timing . Generally, timing belts have a life of 5 to 10 years and a maximum mileage between 80, 000 and 200, 000km .
How to change the timing belt of an Kia Optima?
As the timing belt of a Kia Optima represents a high budget, one can rationally question if it is not possible to change it on your own. Regrettably it is very hard to access and only the most knowledgeable amateur mechanics and the most equipped with tools will have the ability to reflect on this process, we will nevertheless fairly quickly illustrate the different steps to be executed to change this timing belt:
- Place the Kia Optima on stands, and based on your engine you may possibly have to remove a wheel. Remove the timing gearboxes
- To achieve this, you must buy the timing kit so that all the engine components remain in the right position, in any other case your engine will break. Remove the other elements that bother you (damper pulley for example).
- Remove the old distribution after loosening the tension rollers. Before positioning the new one, you must remove all the tensioning rollers and the water pump.
- Place the new water pump.
- Mount the new tension rollers, pay attention to the location of each one.
- Mount the new distribution of your Kia Optima by respecting the markers.
- Tension the belt according to the manufacturer’s info.
- Put the rest of it back together.
- Verify that the engine is running effectively.
.
Changing the timing belt how much does it cost?
And finally, we’ll try to give you an idea of the price if you want to change the timing belt of your Kia Optima . Take note that if you do it at the garage area of the brand or at a motor vehicle center like Feu Vert the price can vary quite a lot, but in general we estimate that the price of the distribution varies between 400 and 900 euros , based on the place where you do it and your engine. Take note that the kits include the belt, idlers and water pump.
To get more tips on the Kia Optima, take a look at the Kia Optima category.
