Norfolk Auto Repair

How often do I need a Timing belt Replacement?

There is no straightforward answer to this question. Most car manufacturers recommend that timing belts be replaced after covering 60,000-106,000 miles, while others state the belts need charging after seven years. How often you need to replace your car's timing belt will depend on the size of your car's engine and how you use the car. In fact, some engines don't even have timing belts.

All cars come with maintenance schedules which are the best reference points to know when to replace timing belts. You can check your car's maintenance schedule for this information.

Why Should a Timing Belt Be Replaced?

The timing belt is a very important component of your car's engine. It runs the Camshafts and is what times' (controls) the pistons' movement. If it breaks, the engine won't run. As you drive the car, the timing belt wears out gradually until it cannot perform optimally. That's when it will need a replacement.

Another reason to replace a timing belt is that it stretches with time. A stretched timing belt lacks power and will not time the pistons accurately. A loose timing belt will produce a dull rattling sound in the engine, and the Check Engine Light will show.

Can Your Car's Timing Belt's Condition Be Checked?

The short answer is yes. A qualified mechanic should be able to check the condition of your timing belt and advise you accordingly. The timing belt is normally covered by a metal or plastic cover, which is easy to remove.

What If My Timing Belt Breaks?

What follows after your timing belt breaks will depend on the type of engine your car has. If your vehicle runs on an interference engine and the belt breaks when the vehicle is in motion, the engine may get severely damaged. On the other hand, if your car runs on a non-interference engine, the engine will stall when the timing belt breaks, but the engine won't get damaged—having your car stalling while on a trip is something you wouldn't want to experience. That's why whatever type of engine your car runs on, the timing belt should always be perfect.

Timing belts need only to be replaced by trained technicians; otherwise, they won't last long. The cost of replacing a timing belt depends on the type of engine you have. It is more costly for V6 and V8 than the 4-cylinder engines.

If you need timing belt replacement, we invite you to bring your vehicle to our auto repair shop today!