How do I know when my timing belt needs changing?

What are the symptoms of a bad timing belt?

How long do timing belts really last?

Depending on what schedule you may read, including information distributed by the manufacturers themselves, the average life span of a timing belt is between 60,000 and 105,000 miles or after 7 to 10 years regardless of mileage.

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.

How much does it cost to change a timing belt?

If your timing belt is in need of replacement, you can expect that service to cost anywhere from $300 up to $500. Because the timing belt is not easily reachable on many vehicles there is a good bit of disassembly and reassembly needed to get to the belt. Economy cars with smaller engines require less labor.

How to Tell if Your Car Needs a New Timing Belt

What noise does a timing belt make?

Generally, a timing belt that goes bad makes a noticeable ticking or clicking timing belt sound that is unusual. When the timing belt starts falling the ticking or clicking sound becomes pretty audible.

What happens if a timing belt breaks while driving?

When the timing belt breaks, the crankshaft will continue to spin at 1000 rotations per minute, while the camshaft will stop turning. As a result, the pistons will continue to rise and fall in their cylinders, but they will strike closed valves.

What are the symptoms of timing being off?

When any changes are made to the engine of a car, the ignition timing is adjusted accordingly. If not, you could experience several problems with your engine with improper ignition timing like knocking, hard to start, increase fuel usage, overheating, and reduced power.

What happens if you dont change timing belt?

If you don't replace the timing belt at the recommended time, you could end up with total engine failure, broken or bent valves, cylinder head or camshaft damage, and piston and cylinder wall damage.

Can a timing belt last $200 000 miles?

Can a timing belt last 200 000 miles or more? No, it can't. And frankly, you really shouldn't test this out in person, unless you have a jalopy that you won't mind sacrificing. If you keep your car running with a worn-out, poorly, or faulty timing belt, then expect catastrophic engine damage.

Why is timing belt so expensive?

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.

How long does it take to change a timing belt?

We recommend you replace your timing belt every four years, or at around the 60,000 mile mark. However, you might have noticed some symptoms of a worn timing belt. Here are the main red flags that indicate it's time to change it up: Your engine won't turn over.

Can timing belt make car shake?

Improper Timing Belt

Any issues with the timing belt can cause your car's engine to vibrate. Fans and other belt-driven components will not function properly when the timing belt is damaged or loose, thus resulting in shakes and rattling sounds.

What causes timing belt failure?

Misalignment is one of the main causes of timing belt drive failure. Excessive or uneven tooth wear, belt tracking and tensile failure can all be attributed to misalignment. By checking and aligning your shafts and timing pulleys you can increase the life of your timing belts and save yourself lots of downtime.

Is it worth fixing a broken timing belt?

In a nutshell, a broken timing belt leads to serious engine damage. It is sometimes cheaper to replace the whole engine rather than repair it. Replacing a timing belt ahead of time is so much cheaper than repairing the damage caused by a broken timing belt.

Is timing belt and serpentine belt the same?

You can easily tell the difference between the two when you look at the grooves. A timing belt has horizontal “teeth” designed to fit the cogwheels of the crankshaft and camshaft. A serpentine belt has multiple V-shaped grooves that run vertically along the belt.

Can low oil cause timing belt to break?

If there is no oil pressure on the tensioner, the belt will become loose and disengage from the pulleys. The timing belt can break if the camshafts don't have enough to operate properly.

What does it sound like when timing chain is going out?

A lax timing chain, or worse, a broken timing chain with loose parts within the engine, will produce a rattling sound when your car is idling. This rattling sound is typically most prominent while the engine heats up and disappears after some time.

Do you need to change water pump when changing timing belt?

Generally, the idler pulleys, tensioner and water pump should always be replaced when the timing belt is replaced. In most cases, the timing belt drives the water pump, so it is the right time to replace the water pump. It is also recommended by the manufacturer.

Does a timing belt whine?

A squealing noise could be from a lack of tension between the belt and pulleys. Worn belt ribs and a misaligned belt can result from an improper installation that can cause an annoying chirping sound. Timing belts are known to occasionally have a ticking sound as well that can stem from low engine oil or other issues.

What is the recommended mileage for timing belt replacement?

Timing belt replacement is generally recommended every 60,000 to more than 100,000 miles, depending on the vehicle manufacturer.

How much does it cost to replace timing belt and water pump?

The average water pump replacement cost is $550, with prices ranging from $461 to $638 in the US in 2020. But typically depends on the type of vehicle you drive and the auto repair shop you take it to. Labor costs are between $256 and $324 while parts cost between $205 and $314. Estimate doesn't include fees and taxes.

Is replacing a timing belt a big job?

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. It's best to get your vehicle to a shop as soon as possible.