Just like every other component in your vehicle, timing belts wear out. When they do, they can slip or break causing serious damage to your car’s engine. For this reason it’s important to replace the timing belt before it fails. The recommended schedule for timing belt replacement varies and depends upon your vehicle’s make. Replacement intervals range from 60,000 to 100,000 miles.

A timing belt isn’t easy to access which makes it a labour intensive job. When it’s time to replace the timing belt, you may also want to consider replacing additional parts, like the tensioner, idler arm, and water pump. That’s because these parts are difficult to access as well but are in the same area as the timing belt - it makes sense to replace all these parts with the timing belt as over 80% of the labour is the same. Either way, it’s important to remember that the cost to replace a timing belt is a lot less expensive than replacing an engine that is damaged because the timing belt broke.

If your car or truck has an interference engine, the damage will be extensive. That’s because the timing belt keeps the valves and pistons from slamming into each other. When the timing belt breaks, the valves and pistons crash together bending the pistons and damaging the cylinder head or camshaft. Damage can also occur to the piston and cylinder wall. In a non-interference engine, the pistons and valves aren’t in the same space so they won’t smash together if the timing belt breaks. Though there won’t be extensive engine damage, you will need to have your vehicle towed in for timing belt repair.

Some cars have a timing chain instead of a timing belt. A timing chain will rarely ever need to be replaced. If you don’t know whether your vehicle has a timing belt or chain, you can find the info within your owner’s manual or you can ask one of our technicians.