What Is A Timing Belt Or Timing Chain?
A timing belt is a rubber belt with teeth and a timing chain is metal. Your vehicle will have a timing belt or a timing chain. The timing belt or chain aims to keep vital engine parts running together with precise timing, producing optimum power and efficiency.
What Can Happen If I Don't Replace My Timing Belt?
Not replacing the timing belt or timing chain can cause serious damage to vital engine parts, not to mention that your vehicle will not drive. These repairs are very costly, so please have them checked often and replaced as your manufacturer recommends.
How Long Does A Timing Belt Last?
Common industry standard is that a timing belt should be replaced after 60,000 to 100,000 miles of driving, or seven to 10 years.
A timing chain has a different life expectancy than a timing belt. Some timing chains can last the lifetime of the vehicle. However, you should have these checked when you have your vehicle serviced.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Bad Timing Belt?
- Ticking noise from under the hood when the engine is running
- The engine doesn’t start
- The engine misfiring while driving
- Oil leaking from the front side of where the motor is under the hood
- Check engine light is on
What Are The Symptoms Of A Bad Timing Chain?
- Rattling Sound on Starting the Engine or Idling, and/or when the brakes are engaged
- Misfiring Engine
- Contaminated Engine Oil
- Check Engine Light
- Inability to Start the Engine
How Much Does It Cost To Replace My Timing Belt?
The cost of a timing belt is not very expensive. However, the labor to replace the timing belt is a higher cost due to all the engine parts that need to be removed to access and replace the belt.
The cost to replace a timing belt can range from several hundred dollars to over a thousand. However, not replacing the timing belt could result in costs three times or more.
We understand that it isn’t easy to face a large maintenance bill. However, not doing a timing belt replacement is maintenance that you should not forego.