Timing Belt
The timing belt is a toothed or ribbed rubber belt that is attached to your camshaft and crankshaft. As the camshaft and crankshaft turn, the timing belt will turn in unison to ensure correct timing and that both of these engine components turns at the right speed. A similar component is the timing chain, which does the same thing as the timing belt but tends to make more noise than a timing belt. Timing chains are also more durable and last longer than timing belts, but timing belts are cheaper to produce, replace, and repair. Your vehicle will have either a timing belt or a timing chain.
Signs of a bad timing belt
- Poor engine performance
- Ticking sound coming from the engine
- Engine won’t start
- Oil pressure drops
- Oil leak
- Check engine light illuminates
Timing belt maintenance
If you notice any of the above signs, get your engine serviced by a car care professional right away. Your technician will first make a visual inspection of the timing belt to assess its condition; worn or hollowed-out teeth, cracks on the back of the belt, or a belt dripping in oil are all signs that the timing belt needs replacement. If the issues were caused by a leak, your technician will patch up the leak before replacing the timing belt. After repairing or replacing the timing belt, the shop may recommend getting additional parts replaced – pulleys, tensioners, or the water pump – that may also have signs of wear to save on labor costs.
The best way to get maintenance done on your timing belt is to book your appointment through CarAdvise. CarAdvise makes car care simple and guarantees that you’ll pay less than retail price on all car maintenance services.
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