Everything You Need to Know About Your Timing Belt

Timing Belt Repair and Replacement Should be Done Every 60k-100k Miles

Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to have maintenance done regularly and anticipate replacing your timing belt after about 60k to 100k miles. When done ahead of complete failure, you avoid having your engine stall, as well as keeping extra damage at bay.

Decreased Engine Power or Trouble Starting Your Car

Because your timing belt controls so many moving parts under the hood of your car, as the timing belt wears out, you may notice a decrease in your engine’s power or even difficulty starting your engine. This is because your timing belt controls the intake valves that dictate the fuel-air mixture circulating through your engine. If these intake valves open too early, you’ll experience a power loss.

Overheating

Numerous car repairs may be signaled by an overheating engine. However, your timing belt helps power the water pump, oil pump, and injection pump. If any or all of those are not operating fully, it can cause your engine to overheat. This also risks more damage to other parts, as heat can be hard on the metal parts of your engine.

Squealing, Rubbing or Ticking Noises from Under Your Hood

As your timing belt or timing chain wear out, they can come out of alignment. If this is the case, you’re likely to notice squealing or rubbing if you have a timing belt and ticking if your car uses a timing chain instead.

Vibrating or Shaking While Your Engine is Running

If parts are out of sync or your timing belt is misaligned, you may also experience vibration or shaking while your engine is running.

Your Check Engine Light Comes On

As always, it’s never a good idea to ignore your Check Engine light when it illuminates on your dashboard. However, if it’s accompanying any of the above symptoms, it may be time to have your timing belt serviced. Waiting too long to have the cause for your Check Engine light diagnosed risks a lot of unnecessary damage to your car’s engine.

A Necessary Timing Belt Repair Shouldn’t Be Procrastinated

It’s no understatement that a problem with your timing belt that goes ignored can end up costing you thousands of dollars down the line. Replacement of a worn but not broken timing belt is a relatively simple car repair – but when it’s allowed to go too long and breaks, it can cause serious damage to your car’s engine, which is neither simple nor cheap to fix.