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Quick Answer: When Does Timing Belt Need To Be Replaced

That’s why highly rated auto mechanics recommend replacing it every 60,000 to 105,000 miles based on the vehicle’s factory recommended maintenance schedule, your individual driving habits and conditions as well as time before the belt breaks or has a catastrophic failure.

How do you know when timing belt needs replacement?

The most common signs that your timing belt needs to be replaced include: 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. Hydroplaning while driving in wet weather conditions.

At what mileage should a timing belt be replaced?

Timing belt replacement is generally recommended every 60,000 to more than 100,000 miles, depending on the vehicle manufacturer. Check ChiltonDIY’s maintenance schedules or the owner’s manual to determine the recommended service interval for your vehicle.

How much does it cost to replace a timing belt?

The average cost to replace a timing belt will be anywhere from $300 to $500 in total (more for larger cars, trucks, and SUVs). The timing belt itself will usually only cost less than $50 but the majority of a timing belt job is spent on labor. The cost of the labor will be anywhere from $250 to $450 or more.

Can a timing belt last 200 000 miles?

Of course the timing belt itself has to be replaced at, whichever comes first, the time or the mileage in the owner’s manual. There’s no way that these various components are going to last through two timing belts – they’re not going to last for 200,000 miles in most cases.

Can you visually inspect timing belt?

In a non-interference engine, the timing belt can be replaced and you can be on your way. The first thing to do is a visual inspection of the timing belt. Look for any contaminants that could eat away at the belt or cause it to slip. Also, look for cracks in the belt.

What does a worn timing belt sound like?

A failing bad timing belt sounds like a ticking noise in front of your car when it starts wearing out. If the belt eventually breaks, it will give a whining noise when trying to start the engine. A whining noise sounds like no compression in the engine.

What’s the longest a timing belt can last?

Depending on what schedule you may read, including information distributed by the manufacturers themselves, the average life span of a timing belt is between 60,000 and 105,000 miles or after 7 to 10 years regardless of mileage.

Can a timing belt destroy an engine?

As your vehicle gets older and accumulates miles, its timing belt wears out and becomes compromised. While timing belt replacement is a simple service to perform, if a worn out timing belt snaps, it can seriously damage your engine and cost you thousands.

What happens if your timing belt breaks while driving?

If a timing belt breaks while driving in an interference engine, the camshaft stops turning leaving some of the engine valves in the open position. This may result in a heavy damage to the engine with broken or bent valves, damaged pistons and, possibly, destroyed cylinder head and block.

What happens if you don’t replace timing belt?

Because the timing belt is made of rubber, it will wear down over time and eventually break. If you don’t replace the timing belt at the recommended time, you could end up with total engine failure, broken or bent valves, cylinder head or camshaft damage, and piston and cylinder wall damage.

Can I replace timing belt myself?

But if you are and you enjoy doing your own repairs or restorations then it’s something you can do yourself, and save on some big repair bills in the process. We’ll walk you through the process of replacing a timing belt and water pump step by step, starting with the tools you’ll need.

Do timing belts break often?

The belt runs on a pulley from the crankshaft to the camshaft. Although timing belts are critical, it is not true that they should be regularly replaced unless explicitly recommended in the owner’s manual. Many timing belts can go more than 100,000 miles without failing.

Do timing belts deteriorate with age?

The age factor Time is perhaps more important than miles, in the life of a timing belt. Seven years is the maximum life of the timing belt, recommended by most manufacturers. Because timing belts deteriorate with age, time is even more critical than miles. More timing belts break due to age than mileage.

What causes timing belt to break?

The tensioner that keeps the belt taut is pressurized by the engine oil. If the tensioner has no oil pressure, the belt will become loose and possibly disengage from the pulleys and/or break. If the camshafts don’t have enough oil pressure to operate properly, they will also lock up, causing the timing belt to break.

What is the ticking noise in my engine?

The most common cause of engine ticking noise is low oil pressure. Your engine may be low on oil or there could be a problem inside the engine causing the low oil pressure. Ticking, tapping, or clicking sounds can also be symptoms of worn valve train components such as lifters or cam followers.