Timing belt - Maintenance/Repairs

The timing belt is made of a reinforced rubber and the rubber deteriorates with time. generally there is a 7 to 8 year life of the belt even if the car doesn&#;t accumulate a lot of miles so it should be changed.

SBT supply professional and honest service.

If the timing belt drives the water pump, it should be changed at the same time. They may also recommend replacing some oil seas while they are in there, but this should be done as a package deal and should not add more than $100 to the total bill. Well worth doing as doing them later will cost a LOT more.

It doesn&#;t have to be done by the dealer. You should get a quote from the dealer, but also any independent mechanics that you get recommendations for. Check with your friends, family and co-workers for recommendations.

Auto repair is a business transaction. You made a good business decision by coming here for a second opinion. Treat the rest of the repair as a business transaction and you will do good. Be sure that each quote you get includes the same things. I.e. a quote might be $10 less, but didn&#;t include the oil seals etc. Some mechanics will also recommend replacing the tensioner but I don&#;t think you will need that.

Heat over time and mileage for the most part wear out a belt although a well used belt appears almost like new in my experience with a VW. Some will say ozone in the air does too but may not be a major factor especially away from an urban area. Weather and road conditions have nothing to do with timing belt life. If you live in a northern climate such as Canada as compared to Mexico City and if your miles were mostly highway miles then the heat factor could be discounted some and you could run another year or more before changing the belt. Slow speed city miles will keep the belt hot for a longer time than 23k highway miles at a higher speed with consequently more deterioration.

There is no definitive answer to your question as timing belts can fail randomly. An auto mfr will recommend a belt change at a mileage and time before any normally anticipated failure plus some safety margin.

If you change the belt now, then motor on knowing that you did the best you know how assuming a competent mechanic did the work. By the time you need a second belt, the car might be gone. Changing the belt on time helps to ensure that you will not risk losing your engine or risk an engine stoppage away from home.

Timing belts seem to be going away as people are catching on to the expense of changing one if they can&#;t DIY.

Disclaimer: This info is for the site regulars and resident gear heads. I would NEVER tell &#;Non Familiars&#; to follow my lead, but&#;here goes&#;

Most of my experience seems at severe odds with the life span of a T-Belt. Ive seen cars with 50K on the clock sit unused for almost a decade&#;be started up and driven 100K over the next 10yrs with no T-Belt change ( I forced them to change it).

Almost everything I have ever seen goes against the claims of how long or how far the belt can go&#; Have I seen belts fail? Boy Howdy have I ever! Some throw teeth some fray but MOST die from some other driven device&#;like a water pump, Idler or tensioner going bad or not being adjusted&#;which is fine reason for me to refresh the belt and ancillaries. For me personally&#;I usually adhere to a schedule of about 80-100K to do the belt&#;no matter how much time has past to accrue the miles because it is ALWAYS longer than is supposedly safe to do so&#;Always. Never had a failure, not a one. Not even a hint of a failure.

Most of you know me to be very adamant about people changing their belts esp when they dont know the history of the vehicle&#;and I&#;m a big proponent of this. But on my own vehicles&#;I guess I like to play around&#;and the way I &#;play&#; is to change it on a mileage mark and ignore the time it takes to reach those miles. Its been working like clockwork thus far. I accept and can handle the risks. It would be irresponsible to tell someone else to do this however. I&#;m just relaying what I have been doing&#;I can handle the risk myself.

That being said&#;the T Belt is driving your valve train&#;a very expensive part of your engine and the risks involved outweigh the expense of replacement in my and most peoples estimation&#;its cheap insurance from catastrophic engine damage. No mechanic would tell a &#;Non Familiar&#; to be risky in any way with their vehicles T belt schedule for it surely wouldn&#;t pan out well&#;and would make you look like an Ass in due time.

How do you explain to someone you told that it was OK to drive and their T belt snapped&#;but it snapped because they were running 90% water in the cooling system&#;and the water pump failed&#;and took out the T belt. Few would be able to understand the distinction&#;because in the end the T belt died&#;but was it the T belts &#;fault&#;? No&#;but this is beside the point. Get me? Sometimes I suggest a T belt swap because of the ancillaries are making noise etc&#;

But I think the current thinking about the belts integrity&#;especially Time&#;are very under rated&#;and this is honestly the safe bet to place. Its all about liability. But those belts are pretty damn tough.

What is my point? I guess I am saying that I PERSONALLY only adhere to a mileage marker&#;not time. T belts do not seem to grenade on a Timer. Tho I will not argue with anyone who asks me to swap the belt due to time&#;I&#;m not stupid&#;that&#;s EZ money. I wont argue the logic of either argument. But for me, personally? Its miles&#;not time. Again&#;Liability.

Blackbird

For more information, please visit Automotive Timing Belts.

&#;Maybe yes, maybe no.
Many car dealers are extremely price-competitive when it comes to timing belt jobs, and some (Honda dealers come to mind) can be cheaper than indy mechanics.&#;

I agree and also would point out that dealers tend to have more experience changing timing belts on a particular make/model&#;

AND

&#; the dealer service areas probably have any &#;Special Tools&#; that make the job easier and more likely to be done better and requiring less time for a technician (although paid by the job, not by actual time required). A happy mechanic does a better, more thorough job, generally job.

I put a timing belt on my DOHC 3.5L Chrysler V-6 engine. I ordered a couple of special tools and made another one prior to beginning the job. I don&#;t even think I could have done it properly without them or if I did it would have been difficult and I wouldn&#;t be as confident in the job.

Because this job could be a &#;cake walk&#; for a dealer technician (for reasons given above) the price for the job could be very competitive or even lower than at an independent shop as pointed out by @VDCdriver.

Get estimates at a dealer and at a good independent shop and compare, but be sure the same parts are being included in the timing belt swap (belt, water pump, pulleys, seals, etcetera).

CSA

Picture this: Your were driving home from a day at The Nanticoke Indian Museum. And you noticed that an unusual ticking noise was coming from your engine. So, you wondered &#;what could it be&#;: engine failure, oil leak, who knows? Well it could be your car&#;s timing belt. But what is a timing belt?

To answer these questions, the experts at In and Out Tire Pro break down what the timing belt does, how to maintain it, and how to know when it&#;s time for a replacement. Because, your vehicle&#;s timing belt plays a crucial role in keeping your engine running smoothly. And while it may be out of sight, it should never be out of mind. Because ignoring the condition of your timing belt can lead to costly repairs and, in worst cases, severe engine damage.

What Does the Timing Belt Do?

The timing belt is a rubber belt that synchronizes the movement of your engine&#;s camshaft and crankshaft. And these parts control the opening and closing of engine valves and pistons, ensuring they work in perfect harmony. Additionally, in an interference engine, if the timing belt fails, the pistons can collide with the valves, leading to catastrophic engine damage. So, in short, the timing belt ensures the engine&#;s parts work together in perfect timing, keeping your vehicle running efficiently.

How to Maintain Your Timing Belt

Maintaining your vehicle&#;s timing belt is important for the life of your engine and its performance. And while the timing belt itself doesn&#;t require routine maintenance like changing oil or filters, it&#;s essential to:

1. Follow the Manufacturer&#;s Recommended Schedule: Most manufacturers recommend replacing the timing belt every 60,000 to 100,000 miles.
2. Replace Tensioners and Pulleys: When replacing the timing belt, it&#;s often recommended to replace the belt tensioners, pulleys, and water pump at the same time. Because, these parts also wear out over time. And replacing them together can prevent future repairs.
3. Look for Warning Signs: Pay attention to any unusual engine noises, especially a ticking sound from the engine. Because, this can be a sign that the timing belt is wearing down and should be inspected.
4. Visual Inspection: If you can access the timing belt, look for cracks, fraying, or glazing on the belt&#;s surface. Because, these are signs that the belt is deteriorating and needs replacement.

Signs You Need a New Timing Belt

It&#;s important to recognize the early warning signs of a failing timing belt before it causes serious engine damage. So, keep an eye out for these signs that your timing belt needs replacing:

1. Visible Wear and Tear: If the ASE certified mechanics at In and Out Tire Pros notice cracks, wear, or oil leakage around the timing belt during a routine inspection, it&#;s time for a replacement. Also keep in mind that you never wait for the belt to break. Because proactive replacement can save your engine.
2. Engine Misfiring or Rough Idling: A worn timing belt may slip or cause the engine&#;s timing to be thrown off. And this leads to misfires or a rough idle. So, if you notice this sign that the belt isn&#;t operating smoothly, it&#;s time to have it checked.
3. Ticking Noise from the Engine: One of the most common signs of a failing timing belt is a ticking or clicking noise from inside the engine. Because as the timing belt starts to wear out, it causes the camshaft and crankshaft to become unsynchronized.
4. Engine Won&#;t Start: If the timing belt snaps, the engine will fail to start. So, you might hear the starter motor working, but the engine will not turn over. And this is because the camshaft and crankshaft are not turning in sync.
5. Oil Leaks in Front of the Engine: A timing belt operates inside a protective cover. So, if you notice oil leaking from the cover, it may indicate a timing belt issue. And, oil leaks can cause the timing belt to deteriorate faster, so it&#;s important to address this issue quickly.

What Happens if the Timing Belt Fails?

A broken timing belt can lead to severe engine damage, especially in interference engines. Because in these engines, the valves and pistons occupy the same space at different times. And if the timing belt snaps, the pistons and valves can collide, bending or breaking them. Unfortunately, this can result in thousands of dollars in repair costs and, in some cases, may require a full engine rebuild or replacement.

Bottom Line: Don&#;t Wait for Timing Belt Failure

Your vehicle&#;s timing belt is key to your engine&#;s function. And its maintenance shouldn&#;t be ignored. So, regular inspections and watching for warning signs can prevent major engine damage and costly repairs. And if you&#;re unsure of your timing belt&#;s condition, have it inspected by the professionals at In and Out Tire Pros to save yourself from potential headaches down the road!

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If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Audi Timing Belt Replacement.