How often should you replace your timing belt?
When to replace timing belt
- Overthehill. I have a 2013 Ridgeline with 38,000 miles, but it is 7 years old. ...
- Jack. As long as you have not abused the vehicle I think you'd be ok to at least the 60k and further. ...
- Rich M. This is one of those decisions that can drive you crazy. ...
- eurban. This will ultimately come down to personal choice. ...
- freddyp. ...
- zroger73. ...
- oarnold. ...
- scarface. ...
- SeattleR. ...
- smufguy. ...
What are the signs of a bad timing belt?
Timing Belt Warning Signs You Need to Look Out For
- Warning Signs of a Bad Timing Belt. Even though your timing belt is meant to last for at least 60,000 miles, sometimes things happen, or you could be in that.
- A Distinct Ticking Noise. ...
- Squealing Sound. ...
- Your Engine Just Won't Start. ...
- Engine Misfires. ...
- Oil Leaks. ...
- Loss of Oil Pressure. ...
- Check Engine Light. ...
- The Cost of Repairing a Bad Timing Belt. ...
- The Bottom Line. ...
How much does it cost to replace a timing belt?
How Much Does It Cost To Change A Timing Belt? timing belt replacement cost is usually in the neighborhood of $300 to $500…as is the case for larger cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Despite it being only $50 overall, there is a lot more work involved in servicing a timing belt. There will be an indirect cost as well as labor.
Should you change your own timing belt?
Your timing belt should be replaced every 50,000–70,000 miles, depending on your car's make and model. Also, make sure you understand if your engine is an interference engine or a non-interference engine. In an interference engine, the valves and piston share the same airspace and the timing belt keeps them from touching.
Is it worth fixing a timing belt?
Although timing belts are critical, there's no need to replace them regularly –unless explicitly recommended in your owner's manual. Some automakers recommend changing a timing belt between 60,000 and 100,000, others don't. Many of today's timing belts can go 100,000 miles or more without needing to be replaced.
Can you drive a car with a broken timing belt?
Can you drive with a broken timing belt? Your car cannot run with a broken timing belt. By the time the belt snaps, the damage is already done, and you will not be able to drive at all. You will need to have the vehicle towed to an auto repair workshop.
Is timing belt a big deal?
You might not think that a belt sounds like a big deal—but the timing belt is a big deal because it can cause catastrophic engine damage if it fails. It's helpful to understand how the timing belt works and when it should be replaced. That way, you can avoid potential problems down the road.
Why is it so expensive to replace timing belt?
The timing belt itself isn't an expensive part. The time and labor are what make it so expensive. To get to the timing belt, the engine needs to be disassembled. Doing so takes significant time and effort.
Does timing belt give warning?
The timing belt can fail without any prior symptoms, so if you're within the mileage window, you should go ahead and have it replaced regardless. That being said, sometimes your car will give you a bit of warning that the belt is wearing out.
What are the signs of a timing belt going bad?
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Timing BeltYou Hear A Ticking Noise Coming From The Engine. ... Your Car's Engine Won't Turn Over. ... You Notice An Oil Leak Near The Motor. ... You Experience Exhaust Issues. ... Your Revs Start Acting Up.
How long does it take to fix a timing belt?
Replacing the timing belt is an expensive service. It is an intricate, labor-intensive process that can take 4–8 hours, depending on the vehicle. But replacing the timing belt before it breaks will prevent engine damage and save you money in the long run.
What does a worn timing belt sound like?
A failing bad timing belt sounds like a ticking noise in front of your car when it starts wearing out. If the belt eventually breaks, it will give a whining noise when trying to start the engine. A whining noise sounds like no compression in the engine.
Will a broken timing belt destroy my engine?
As your vehicle gets older and accumulates miles, its timing belt wears out and becomes compromised. While timing belt replacement is a simple service to perform, if a worn out timing belt snaps, it can seriously damage your engine and cost you thousands.
Can I replace timing belt myself?
But if you are and you enjoy doing your own repairs or restorations then it's something you can do yourself, and save on some big repair bills in the process. We'll walk you through the process of replacing a timing belt and water pump step by step, starting with the tools you'll need.
What causes timing belt to break?
The tensioner that keeps the belt taut is pressurized by the engine oil. If the tensioner has no oil pressure, the belt will become loose and possibly disengage from the pulleys and/or break. If the camshafts don't have enough oil pressure to operate properly, they will also lock up, causing the timing belt to break.
How do I check my timing belt?
To inspect the belt, first look at the outside of the belt to see if any tiny cracks are forming. The timing belt is a very strong metal-reinforced belt with rubber on the outside. The rubber should be fairly smooth, with no chunks missing or massive cracking.
Timing Belt Replacement Cost Comparison Chart
The cost of replacing a timing belt may vary greatly from location to location. We highly recommend that you call around to get a few quotes before...
Average Timing Belt Cost by Vehicle
The cost to replace a timing belt will vary based on how much labor is required to access the components. Passenger cars are generally less expensi...
When to Replace Your Timing Belt
Every vehicle will differ, so be sure to check the recommended schedule for your car year and model. A good guideline to follow would be to replace...
What Happens If A Timing Belt Breaks?
The last thing that you want to deal with in your internal combustion engine is a broken timing belt. If this happens that valves and pistons will...
How to Replace A Timing Belt
Replacing a timing belt requires an advanced knowledge of mechanical systems as you will need to remove many parts and put them back correctly. If...
Extra Thoughts and Considerations
With the amount of labor required to access the timing belt, it is always a good idea to replace other components simultaneously as they will alrea...
What a Timing Belt Does
If you have heard of the term “ Timing Chain ” before, both a timing belt and chain perform the same duty. Their job is to keep the mechanical timing of the engine – the intake and exhaust valves opening and closing at the exact precise time needed.
When to Replace Your Timing Belt
As stated before, timing belts are composed of rubber, no different than a regular drive serpentine belt. Over years and constant heat cycling, the rubber begins to degrade, to the point where the belt finally fails. In most cases, a faulty timing belt will provide no warning of an impending break.
Can You Tell When the Timing Belt is Going Bad?
Unfortunately, timing belts rarely give any warning of impending doom. While there are other things that can speed up a timing belt’s decay, like oil or antifreeze leaking into the timing belt area (and often seen as an oil leak or water pump leak), in most cases, the belt is simply old, brittle, and breaks.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Timing Belt
A timing belt service is more than just the belt itself. While traditionally, everyone thinks of this change as “just the belt,” it is not. A timing belt is tensioned and held in the proper track by a series of tensioners and idler pulleys, all of which have bearings and the ability to fail.
What to Do Next
If you suspect your vehicle is up for a new timing belt, come see the folks at AutoZone for all the parts, tools and advice you’ll need. If you need additional help with the job, check out our list of Preferred Shops in your area that can help you get the job done quickly!
How much does it cost to replace a timing belt?
The fact is that timing belt replacement expenses can be a few thousand dollars, though they generally sit anywhere between $500 and $2000 depending upon your automobile.
What is a timing belt?
The timing belt is made from rubber and integrates the rotation of both the crankshaft and the camshaft. It likewise manages the timing of the engine’s valves which let fuel and air into the cylinders. The fuel is sparked in the combustion chamber by the firing of your spark plugs, and throughout this combustion, the valves press the pistons down.
What is the role of timing belts in a car?
The timing belt manages the timing of the crankshaft and camshafts (thus it in some cases being described as a cambelt). You must keep in mind that not all automobiles will use a timing belt.
How does a timing belt work?
Timing belts work to keep your engine in sync. There are numerous moving parts in your vehicle’s engine, and it’s essential that they all operate in sync. The timing belt manages the timing of the crankshaft and camshafts (thus it in some cases being described as a cambelt).
Why is timing belt important?
As you can see, the timing belt system is important to lots of functions inside your engine, so routine upkeep is very much crucial. If your air-con belt snaps, then you’ll most likely only lose the ability to turn on your Air Conditioning system.
What is the purpose of a timing belt?
Among the timing belt’s tasks is to spin the gears of the camshaft. In severe cases where the timing is off, it can skip some of the gears and break pieces off of the camshaft. These can get in the oil pan and lead to a drop in oil pressure at the bottom of the engine. This is a quite severe problem, as it can make the motor stop ...
What belts keep a car running?
You have most likely become aware of fan belts, camera belts, air con belts, generator belts, power steering belts, drive belts, and serpentine belts. That’s a whole lot of belts. It also results in a great deal of confusion, when your last belt replacement has cost you ...
How much does it cost to replace a timing belt?
The labor cost to replace a timing belt can range from $200 – $900. Timing belt replacement should be conducted by a professional mechanic as it is an advanced project that requires one to disassemble the engine to be able to remove the old belt.
What is timing belt?
What Is A Timing Belt? A timing belt keeps your engine in sync by allowing the crankshaft and camshafts to fire perfectly on time. The valves and cylinder heads are located on the top section of the engine while the pistons are towards the bottom.
Why replace timing belt with tensioner?
Pulleys and Tensioner: These parts should be replaced with the timing belt because if they fails, the same damage as a timing belt failure can occur. They provide the force required to keep the belt tight and operating without any slack, also preventing it from falling off of the track.
What happens if a timing belt breaks?
If the timing belt does break, it will cause a very large sound in the engine as components will be breaking forcefully. The engine will also shut off and not be able to restart.
Why do automobiles have timing belts?
Automobiles with an overhead cam design implement a belt to orchestrate a perfectly timed sequence of engine operation. This is why it is referred to as the timing belt, and is subject to wear and tear over time, so it will need to be replaced. The timing belt is located inside of a protective housing on your engine and should be replaced at ...
Do 1995 cars have timing belts?
If your car was manufactured prior to 1995, you should expect to have a timing belt. Otherwise, you will need to consult your owners manual to see if there is a specified interval for replacing this piece of equipment. This is similar to a serpentine belt, but not exactly the same.
How long does a timing belt last?
Newer models use timing belts made of polyurethane and Kevlar for long life and durability. They can go as long as 100,000 miles although it’s always a good idea to change it before then. Belt failure can cause extensive damage to the valves, pistons and other internal parts of the engine.
What is a timing belt?
Critical to the operation of your vehicle, the timing belt synchs the operations of the camshaft and the crankshaft so that the valves operate efficiently and safely. Older cars may have a timing chain, similar to a chain on a motorcycle, with a life cycle of around 60,000 miles. Newer models use timing belts made of polyurethane ...
How much does it cost to replace a timing belt?
The average cost for a Timing Belt Replacement is between $576 and $659 but can vary from car to car.
What is a timing belt?
The timing belt connects the engine's camshaft and crankshaft, and ensures that they maintain proper timing to keep the engine running smoothly. When you have it replaced, it might be smart to have related work done to help save on labor.
How does a timing belt work?
How does the timing belt work? The teeth on the belt mesh with the crankshaft timing gear and camshaft timing gear. The belt is held tight by a tensioner to ensure the belt doesn't skip a tooth, or “jump time.”. The timing belt may turn an additional gear for the water pump.
What happens if your timing belt goes bad?
If the timing belt is starting to go bad, the engine will run poorly and the check engine light will likely come on. If the belt breaks, the engine will stall immediately, and internal engine damage can occur.
Can timing belts fail?
Timing belts can fail before that interval is reached, but most vehicles will never have a problem with this part. If a technician notices signs of premature wear during an earlier inspection, the timing belt should be replaced early.
How much does it cost to replace a timing belt?
Having a timing belt replaced before it breaks will cost between $500 and $1,000 on average while waiting for it to break before replacing can cost upward of $2,000 or more.
Why does the timing belt work?
This helps the combustion sequence happen at the exact right time to keep the engine running. If the timing belt breaks or fails, your car’s timing could become misaligned and the valves might not open at the right time.
What happens if one part of a Yugo engine fails?
Even so, you may not know that if one part of the engine fails, it can take several others to the grave with it. Such is the case with your engine’s timing belt.
Can you drive with a bad timing belt?
No, you cannot. We could really stop right there, but it’s probably best to elaborate a bit. If you suspect the timing belt is bad and you keep driving, you’re looking at the potential for bent valves, damage to the cylinder head and camshaft, and the potential for other internal engine damage. The costs can add up quickly.
Can you put off timing belt service?
When it’s time for a timing belt service, it’s not something you can put off. If your timing belt breaks or fails, the collateral damage can add up to thousands of dollars in repairs. The big thing here is that replacing your own timing belt is a time consuming and highly skilled repair job that we won’t encourage you to do.
What is a timing belt made of?
Every timing belt contains teeth that mesh with a camshaft and crankshaft gear. The belt is made with a heat and chemical resistant rubber and incorporates fiberglass strands to prevent stretching.
Why are timing chains cheaper than spur gears?
Timing chains produce less noise than spur gears and are cheaper than helical gears. But they do have several downsides. First, they stretch as they wear which requires some type of tensioner to compensate for the stretch. Second, as the spacing between the crank and cam increase, the longer chain sections can create harmonic vibrations; like twanging a guitar spring. So car makers had to install chain guides to dampen the vibrations.
How much does it cost to replace a 1996 Honda Civic cruise control?
1996 Honda Civic with A/C and cruise control#N#Labor to remove the cruise and A/C components and water pump: 3.3-hours of shop time#N#Parts cost: Timing belt, idler roller, tensioner spring and water pump, coolant $200.00#N#Total Labor @$110/hr $363#N#Total Parts $200 $563.00
How much does it cost to replace a timing belt?
The timing belt itself costs $30 to $100, but you often have to replace many other parts simultaneously, like pulleys, water pump, and more. This depends heavily on the car model, and the prices can differ a lot. The time to replace the timing belt can differ from 30 minutes to many hours, depending on the car model.
What happens if you break a timing belt?
If you have a broken timing belt, your engine will die immediately. If you have a newer car, it will also cause the valves to hit the pistons – which will be a very costly repair. However, there are some symptoms you can see for some time before the timing belt fails. Because of this – if you see any of these symptoms and think it’s ...
What is the purpose of a timing belt?
The function of a timing belt. The timing belt helps them camshaft to spin together with the crankshaft at a fixed speed. For every one turn that the crankshaft spins, the camshaft spins ½ a turn. This is because of the 4 stroke engine. The timing belt spins the camshaft, which opens the valves at the exact right moment.
How to tell if timing belt is on its way to failure?
Check Engine Light. The first thing you will notice if your timing belt is on its way to failure is a check engine light on your dashboard. Most modern cars have a camshaft and crankshaft position sensor, which calculates the crankshaft position and the camshaft. If one of these positions is slightly out of the range – the check engine light will ...
How to tell if timing belt is bad?
6 Symptoms of a Bad Timing Belt 1 Check engine light 2 Slamming noise from engine bay 3 Slow acceleration 4 Rough or stalling engine 5 Smoke from the engine 6 High fuel consumption
What happens when your timing belt is worn?
When the timing belt is getting worn, it can sometimes start to wander out from the engine. Around the timing belt is a plastic cover, and if the timing belt is wandering out – it will touch these plastic covers.
Where is the timing belt located?
The timing belt is located on the front of the engine on most car models. It is often hidden under a lot of plastic covers and behind the serpentine belt.
