Is it Time to Replace That Timing Belt?

Your vehicle’s engine is a complicated machine with a lot of moving parts—we all know that. But, the other thing to consider is that those moving parts have to be in sync with one another. If they aren’t, it’s a sure bet that catastrophic and often unfixable damages will occur.

 

That’s where your timing belt comes in. They’re relatively simple, yet crucial components of engines, so it’s important to make sure they’re always working properly. Chances are, if you aren’t proactive, yours will break at least once during your vehicle’s lifespan.

 

As the premier car repair shop serving Yardley, PA, we cover timing belt replacements on a  regular basis. If your car is somewhere in the 60,000 to 100,000 mile range, it’s time to check your maintenance schedule for timing belt change intervals. Until then, read on to learn more about what they are and why they’re important.

 

What’s a TIming Belt and Why Is it Important?

 

Your timing belt—unsurprisingly—is a rubber belt that runs between the engine’s camshaft and crankshaft. Its job is to drive the camshafts, and sometimes water pumps and other belt-driven accessories from the crankshaft. In today’s engines tolerances are extremely close. A timing belt that skips one tooth, about ¼ of an inch, is enough to cause the valve to crash into the piston, often with catastrophic results.

 

What Does the Replacement Process Look Like?

 

Timing belt replacement is dependent on your vehicle make and model, but in general requires removal of the serpentine belts, timing belt cover and often engine mounts to gain access. If the water pump is timing belt driven it should be replaced along with the belt. In some applications, a belt tensioner and cam seals are replaced as well.     

 

How Much Do They Cost

 

Like with any repair or replacement work, there is no universal fixed timing belt rate. As always, we encourage you to bring your car in for an evaluation, and if we think you need a new belt, we’ll give you an estimate before starting any work.

 

Timing belts are not as cheap as, say, getting your tires rotated, or your oil changed. Conversely, if you fail to replace your timing belt, and it breaks and damages your engine, the ensuing repairs will be much more costly than if you had replaced it preventatively in the first place.

 

Price depends heavily on your vehicle’s year, make and model, and whether a new water pump will be necessary, but jobs usually fall in the $300 to $600 range.

 

Signs That Indicate a Replacement Is Necessary

 

Like many maintenance items, timing belts will continue to operate perfectly right up until they fail. That means you get no warning. It’s rare for a timing belt to make noise, or give any indication of pending failure. The labor to visually inspect a timing belt is often nearly the same as replacing it. No manufacturer recommends inspecting the timing belt, but all require timing belt replacement at specific mileage, usually between 60,000 and 100,000 miles.

 

If it’s time for a timing belt replacement, we encourage you to bring your car to Big Oak. As your trusty auto mechanic shop serving Morrisville, PA, you can count on us to get the job done right at the best prices around!