Timing Belts

How often and how important is it to replace my timing belt? The timing belt is an integral part of your engine and, if it fails, so does your engine, causing your car to shut down.The rubber timing belt is part of most internal combustion engines and is responsible for synchronizing the engine’s functions. It controls the rotation of the camshaft and crankshaft and the opening and closing of the engine’s many valves to allow air and gas in and out, which causes the fuel to ignite in the combustion chamber.

During this explosion, the valves push the pistons down. When the timing belt breaks, the valves, which are very light, will open at the wrong time and hit the larger pistons and cause the valves to break or bend. If this happens the engine will not run and the vehicle will need a new engine head. Unfortunately, in most cases, there are no obvious signs the timing belt is bad; it will just break. That’s why we recommend replacing it every 60,000 to 100,000 miles and/or 6-8 years. Always check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendations. We recommend replacing your water pump, timing belt idler pulley, and tensioner pulley. These parts are vital to the longevity of the timing system in your vehicle.