What causes timing belt to go bad?

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.

What causes a timing belt to wear?

Age / MilesThe timing belt is usually made from a rubber material with teeth on one side to control the gears, pulleys, and components in the engine. With the heat and friction inside the engine, the rubber material will become worn with age and miles. Rubber teeth may wear down and no longer be able to grip the gears.

What are the signs of a timing belt going bad?

How often do timing belts fail?

In most cases, there is no indication that a timing belt is becoming worn. Often times, it just breaks. That's why most manufacturers recommend you have your vehicle's timing belt replaced every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Refer to your owner's manual to see what is recommended for your specific model.

Is there any warning before timing belt breaks?

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 to Tell if Your Car Needs a New Timing Belt

How much should a new timing belt cost?

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 many years does a timing belt last?

This is where all of the discrepancy of maintenance and replacement occurs. 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.

Can low oil cause timing belt to break?

If the camshafts don't have enough oil pressure to operate properly, they will also lock up, causing the timing belt to break.

How many miles should a timing belt last?

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

Can you drive with a bad timing belt?

Can you drive with a broken timing belt? Your car cannot run with a broken timing belt. By the time the belt snaps, the damage is already done, and you will not be able to drive at all. You will need to have the vehicle towed to an auto repair workshop.

Will check engine light come on for timing belt?

A loose or worn belt will cause ticking or rattling noises, poor engine performance and overheating, usually triggering the check engine light. If the timing belt breaks, the engine can't run — and on some engines that break can cause internal damage.

Does oil affect timing belt?

Oil leaks. Oil can interfere with the timing belt. It can get in between the belt's teeth and can cause the belt to slip and slide and even come off entirely.

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.

Why is replacing a 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.

Should I change water pump with 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.

Which is better timing belt or chain?

A: Timing chains are stronger than timing belts. Timing chains also last longer. Timing belts are quieter than timing chains and are cheaper and easier to replace.

What's the longest a timing belt can last?

The recommended replacement according to mileage ranges from 60,000 miles to 150,000 miles. If your vehicle is 6 to 10 years old, it is recommended to replace the timing belt.

Do you really need to replace timing belt?

That's why highly rated auto mechanics recommend replacing it every 60,000 to 105,000 miles based on the vehicle's factory recommended maintenance schedule, your individual driving habits and conditions as well as time before the belt breaks or has a catastrophic failure.

Can I replace timing belt myself?

But if you are and you enjoy doing your own repairs or restorations then it's something you can do yourself, and save on some big repair bills in the process. We'll walk you through the process of replacing a timing belt and water pump step by step, starting with the tools you'll need.

How many hours does it take to replace a timing belt?

Replacing the timing belt is an expensive service. It is an intricate, labor-intensive process that can take 4–8 hours, depending on the vehicle. But replacing the timing belt before it breaks will prevent engine damage and save you money in the long run.

What does a worn timing belt sound like?

A failing bad timing belt sounds like a ticking noise in front of your car when it starts wearing out. If the belt eventually breaks, it will give a whining noise when trying to start the engine. A whining noise sounds like no compression in the engine.

What happens if you dont change timing belt?

If the timing belt were to slip away from the gears and fall onto the camshaft, one of the cylinders will open and close too soon. If that happens, an engine misfire could occur which means the belt needs to be replaced right away. If you don't replace the belt soon, the engine could be permanently damaged.

Will a timing belt throw a code?

If the timing belt breaks or if it has skipped a tooth, this can cause multiple check engine light codes to be stored in your vehicle's computer system. This will then illuminate the check engine light.