When To Replace Your Car’s Timing Belt
Posted on December 4, 2019
To avoid engine damage and costly repairs, car owners are advised to replace their car’s timing belt somewhere around each 60,000 to 100,000 kilometers—depending on the car make and model.
What is a timing belt and what does it do?
Replacing a Car’s Timing Belt A timing belt is an important engine component that keeps a car’s crankshaft and camshaft in sync. Essentially, it controls the opening and closing of pistons and valves, appropriately timing the movements to ensure the car runs smoothly.
A worn-out or damaged timing belt can affect the synchronized movement between the crankshaft and camshaft, bringing the vehicle to a sudden halt. In a worst-case scenario, the car’s engine may get damaged requiring complete replacement.
How can a broken timing belt damage an engine?
A broken timing belt can cause the pistons and the valves to collide with each other resulting in a structural bent or cylinder wall damage. Such a damage can make the entire engine non-repairable. However, these types of damage situations are only limited to interference engines where the piston’s stroke and valve’s stroke take up the same space in the cylinder.
Despite all this, many car owners do not replace their timing belt when a replacement is due. There are a couple of reasons for that:
First, many people simply don’t know the importance of timing belts and their role in keeping the engines running smoothly. As a result, they keep using their old and worn-out timing belts until they eventually snap.
Second, replacing a timing belt is in itself one of the costliest services, second only to the task of reconditioning or replacing an engine. A typical timing belt replacement job costs around $450. However, it can sometimes range into thousands of dollars. This high replacement cost prompts car owners to delay the replacement job unless it becomes necessary.
Is your car’s timing belt running its due course?
Make sure to get it replaced on time. If you don’t, you can be looking at a very expensive repair job in the near future.
While getting the timing belt replaced, it’s also recommended to replace your car’s water pump at the same time as the possibility of the device failing not long afterward, is quite high. This will save you on labor costs.
Looking for an auto repair shop to have your timing belt inspected or replaced? Smitty’s Auto Service is a leading car repair service in Gainesville, FL and a one-stop solution for all your auto repair and service needs. Contact us for a free initial consultation.
Author: XBTMOM
Next: What’s The Reason for That Squeaking Sound in Your Car?
Previous: My Car Battery Keeps Draining!
What is a timing belt and what does it do?
Replacing a Car’s Timing Belt
A worn-out or damaged timing belt can affect the synchronized movement between the crankshaft and camshaft, bringing the vehicle to a sudden halt. In a worst-case scenario, the car’s engine may get damaged requiring complete replacement.
How can a broken timing belt damage an engine?
A broken timing belt can cause the pistons and the valves to collide with each other resulting in a structural bent or cylinder wall damage. Such a damage can make the entire engine non-repairable. However, these types of damage situations are only limited to interference engines where the piston’s stroke and valve’s stroke take up the same space in the cylinder.
Despite all this, many car owners do not replace their timing belt when a replacement is due. There are a couple of reasons for that:
First, many people simply don’t know the importance of timing belts and their role in keeping the engines running smoothly. As a result, they keep using their old and worn-out timing belts until they eventually snap.
Second, replacing a timing belt is in itself one of the costliest services, second only to the task of reconditioning or replacing an engine. A typical timing belt replacement job costs around $450. However, it can sometimes range into thousands of dollars. This high replacement cost prompts car owners to delay the replacement job unless it becomes necessary.
Is your car’s timing belt running its due course?
Make sure to get it replaced on time. If you don’t, you can be looking at a very expensive repair job in the near future.
While getting the timing belt replaced, it’s also recommended to replace your car’s water pump at the same time as the possibility of the device failing not long afterward, is quite high. This will save you on labor costs.
Looking for an auto repair shop to have your timing belt inspected or replaced? Smitty’s Auto Service is a leading car repair service in Gainesville, FL and a one-stop solution for all your auto repair and service needs. Contact us for a free initial consultation.
Author: XBTMOM
Next: What’s The Reason for That Squeaking Sound in Your Car?
Previous: My Car Battery Keeps Draining!