The national cost for a timing belt replacement with CarAdvise in 2024 is between $112 and $1029 with an average of $492.

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HOW IT WORKS

What is a timing belt and how does it work?

A timing belt is a device inside your engine that serves to synchronize all of the moving internal parts. Like a conductor of an orchestra, the timing belt makes sure that all of the components are in the right place at the right time.

The belt itself is a toothed or ribbed rubber belt that wraps around the engine crankshaft and the camshaft(s). As the crankshaft rotates (as a result of being “pedaled” by the pistons), a pulley moves the timing belt. The timing belt, in turn, rotates one or more camshafts to open and close the intake and exhaust valves at just the right moment - in time with ignition.

Some engines feature a timing chain rather than a timing belt. They do the same job, but a chain is more durable than a belt. It is also more expensive to produce, replace, and repair.

HOW IS THIS SERVICE PERFORMED?

How is a a Timing Belt Replacement done?

Timing belt replacement is quite an involved procedure that requires a good deal of tools and training. To replace the timing belt on your vehicle, a technician needs to gain access to the front of the engine. This usually requires safely lifting and supporting the vehicle off of the ground, removing shields, guards, covers, ducts and the serpentine drive belt. The radiator might also need to be removed, depending on the orientation of your engine.

With those items out of the way, a typical timing belt replacement (the procedure differs from one vehicle make and model to the next) involves the following general steps:



  • Remove the water pump (on some models)
  • Detach the drive pulley on the crankshaft
  • Remove any engine accessories (AC compressor, alternator, power steering pump, etc.) that are in the way of the timing belt cover
  • Remove the valve cover(s) (on some models)
  • Unbolt and remove the timing cover from the front of the engine
  • Synchronize the timing marks on the camshaft and crankshaft pulleys and align to top dead center
  • Remove the timing belt tensioner pulley (s)
  • Dislodge the crankshaft pulley and timing belt
  • Install the new belt, taking care to align to the timing marks
  • Install the timing belt tensioner pulleys and set belt tension
  • Reinstall all components and add fluids as necessary This abbreviated list of steps does not account for differences between engines, whether your has single or dual camshafts, the style of tensioners used, and other variables. It is common to replace not only the timing belt, but also the tensioners and even the pulleys on which the belt rides. If your engine has a water pump that is driven by the timing belt, that too will be recommended for replacement. The procedure is similar if your engine has a timing chain rather than a belt. If the procedure is not done properly, your engine could fail to run, run poorly, or suffer severe internal damage.

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POPULAR VEHICLES

National average cost of a a Timing Belt Replacement
for popular vehicles:

Car Model

Avg. cost

$50

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COMMON SYMPTOMS

How do I know if my vehicle needs a new timing belt?

The timing belt is an essential component inside your engine. Without it, the valves that open and close to let air and fuel into the cylinders - and the valves that allow exhaust gases to escape - would not work properly. A modern engine can have as many as thirty two valves. The timing belt “times” or synchronizes them all. On many engines, the timing belt is also responsible for driving the oil pump, oil injector, and the water pump. If the timing belt goes bad, a number of problems can result and lead to the following signs:

A drop in oil pressure

Engine overheating

Rough idle or engine misfire

Excess smoke coming from the exhaust

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Other questions customers ask

What happens if you don't replace a timing belt?
The timing belt in your engine is designed to last somewhere between 60K-100K miles or so. During that time, its job is to coordinate the movement of the engine’s internal moving parts. Without the timing belt, the intake and exhaust valves, the pistons, and other components would not be able to work in concert with one another. If the belt is off by just a single tooth, engine function will be severely impaired. Should it break, the results could be serious. Therefore, vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing the timing belt before it fails.
What happens if a timing belt breaks while driving?
If your timing belt breaks while you are driving, at a minimum your engine will stall and fail to restart. On some engines built with extremely tight tolerances (known as “interference engines”), when the timing belt breaks, the valves and pistons collide with one another and cause catastrophic damage.
Why is replacing a timing belt so expensive?
The process of replacing a timing belt or timing chain is fairly extensive. On some vehicles, it is necessary to remove many components to access the timing belt - the alternator, power steering pump, radiator, water pump, valve cover(s), timing cover, and much more. The procedure must also be followed to the letter to ensure that the belt or chain, camshaft(s), and crankshaft are aligned properly. The time and labor involved account for most of the cost of the repair.

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