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Changing your timing belt is NOT optional – but waiting until it breaks to address
any issues is. And that is a risk you shouldn’t take.

Most manufacturers recommend changing the timing belt at a specific mileage,
usually between 90 and 105 thousand miles. But you should NOT wait until the
last possible minute to have your timing belt replaced. Replacing it early can save
you thousands of dollars.

If your vehicle is due for a timing belt
replacement, or to find out what your
manufacturer recommends, call our
experts at 585.242.2360.

With the timing belt, it’s not if it will
fail – it’s WHEN. This rubber belt is
critical to your vehicle’s performance
– and the operation of the auto
engine.

The timing belt is a rubber belt with teeth, which travels on pulleys through the
engine in your vehicle. The teeth on the belt catch on gears, like on the water
pump to regulate the coolant entering the engine.

There are two common reasons that your timing belt would fail:

1.      Age & Miles – As your vehicle travels more miles, the rubber teeth on the
   timing belt wear down. If worn to the point that the timing belt can no longer
   grip the gears, it will slip and cause the pistons and valves to pump out of
   sync. Most manufacturers recommend replacing the timing belt between 90
   and 105 thousand miles
2.      Water Pump Seizure – If the water pump in your vehicle seizes, the gear
   will stop turning and the force will break the timing belt. This is often caused
   by cooling system failure. If the coolant hasn’t been flushed regularly, your
   vehicle is at risk of cooling system and water pump failure.

If your vehicle has an interference engine, a broken timing belt could mean
thousands of dollars in damage. (The average cost to replace an engine after a
blown timing belt can run from $3,000 to $10,000 and higher depending on the
vehicle.)

In interference engines, pistons (the large cylinders in the illustration below) move
up and down. Above these pistons, there are smaller valves that simultaneously
pump up and down. The timing belt controls the operation of both these elements,
ensuring that they move in sync so the valves and pistons never meet.

When the timing belt slips or breaks in an interference engine, the pistons and
valves become out of sync – the pistons continue to pump, forcefully hitting (and
almost always breaking) the valves.
What should have been routine maintenance, replacing the timing belt in your
vehicle, has now become a costly engine repair – replacing the timing belt early
can save you THOUSANDS of dollars.
To find out if your vehicle needs a new timing belt or schedule your next
appointment, call us at 585.242.2360
Even in non­interference engines, a broken timing belt can immediately shut off
your vehicles engine, leaving you and your family stranded on the side of the road
with a vehicle that can no longer run. By putting off timing belt replacement to
save some money now, you’re risking the safety of your family and vehicle – and
risking extensive damage that will cost much more.
In this video, the Monday Morning Mechanic reviews the importance of Changing
your timing belt EARLY to save BIG BUCKS!
“Changing your timing belt isn’t optional, but waiting until it breaks before you do
can cost you thousands. While you’re having it changed, though, you can have
several other items addressed at the same time, which can save you a ton of
money for labor. While your shop is under the hood replacing the timing belt, have
them change the water pump, and the tensioners, and you’ll save a lot in the long
run.”
If your vehicle is due for a timing belt replacement, don’t delay! Give our auto
repair experts a call at 585.242.2360 to schedule your service, replace your
timing belt, and save yourself from the danger and inconvenience of extensive
damage and costly repairs.