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It’s important to replace your timing belt at the mileage intervals your vehicle manufacturer recommends. Every manufacturer is different, but typically, it needs to be replaced every 60,000–100,000 miles. The recommended interval for your specific vehicle can be found in your car’s owner’s manual.
How often do timing belts actually break?
Since the timing belt has such an important job, it’s crucial to have it replaced regularly. In most cases, there is no indication that a timing belt is becoming worn. Often times, it just breaks. That’s why most manufacturers recommend you have your vehicle’s timing belt replaced every 60,000 to 100,000 miles.
How long do timing belts really 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 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.
What are the chances of a timing belt breaking?
But in order for that to happen, one of the valves has to be pretty much all the way open inside the cylinder when the belt breaks, so a rising piston can crush it. And in about 5 percent of cases, the belt just happens to break during one of those few nanoseconds when none of the valves is fully opened.
Does timing belt give warning?
The timing belt can fail without any prior symptoms, so if you’re within the mileage window, you should go ahead and have it replaced regardless. That being said, sometimes your car will give you a bit of warning that the belt is wearing out.
What are the signs of a timing belt going bad?
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Timing Belt You Hear A Ticking Noise Coming From The Engine. Your Car’s Engine Won’t Turn Over. You Notice An Oil Leak Near The Motor. You Experience Exhaust Issues. Your Revs Start Acting Up.
What causes timing belt to break?
With the heat and friction inside the engine, the rubber material will become worn with age and miles. Rubber teeth may wear down and no longer be able to grip the gears. This often results in a slip of the timing belt and potential damage to the engine. The timing belt may also begin to crack under stress.
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.
How do I check my 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. If the belt has many cracks in it, this can indicate that the belt is old or has dried out. Next, inspect the underside of the belt and verify that all the teeth are in good condition.
How much does it cost to fix a timing chain?
For most cars, a timing chain replacement costs between $413 and $1040, or you can order the parts themselves for $88 and $245. It is a tricky repair though, so unless you’re particularly skilled it’s usually best left to a mechanic.
When should I replace timing belt?
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.
Which is better timing belt or chain?
Most automakers recommend replacing the timing belt every 60,000 to 105,000 miles. Timing chains are heavier and more complex than timing belts, but they also last much longer. Really, unless there’s a problem, timing chains don’t have a replacement interval.
What happens if a 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.
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 goes while driving?
If the belt breaks while you are on the road, the car will break down immediately – and your engine will experience very serious damage. These include loud clicking sounds coming from your engine, misfiring, squealing sounds and your engine failing to start at all.
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.
