Were you recently told that your vehicle needs a new timing belt? A timing belt is one of the most expensive repairs you can experience when owning a vehicle, but it’s also one of the most important as well. Here’s more on what a timing belt does, when they need to be replaced, and why it costs so much to do so.
What is a Timing Belt?
Your vehicle has a timing set attached to the engine which, in short, will synchronize the rotation of the engine’s crankshaft with the valves. This allows the valves to open and close at the correct time. There are three types of timing sets: belts, chains, and gears. The timing belt is one type of timing set, and it’s the one we will go into a little more detail with.
What Happens if my Timing Belt Breaks?
If a timing belt breaks, your engine will not be able to turn over. Typically, the timing belt breaks while the engine is running and if this happens it can lead to some serious damage to your engine. Some possible parts which could be damaged would be the rocker arms, push rods, valves, or crank bearings, just to name a few. This is one reason to have your Maryland mechanic replace your timing belt on schedule.
When Do I Need to Change my Timing Belt?
The short answer here is that you want to change your timing belt when your Maryland car mechanic suggests it. This is not an issue to wait around on. But lets say you want a more definitive answer, well the truth lies somewhere in your owner’s manual. Most timing belts are rated for somewhere between 60,000 and 90,000 miles. Because these belts are difficult to reach to check their health; it’s strongly suggested to replace the belt accord to a schedule.
Why Does a Timing Belt Fix Cost so Much?
As a local auto mechanic in Maryland, we try our best to keep our costs low for our customers; but some repairs simply take longer than others. The timing belt is one of the most time-intensive repairs to make because it requires removing and checking a lot of parts before we can even get to replacing the belt. Then, once the belt is replaced we have to go through setting the proper timing and then testing to ensure all is well.
For more information on timing belts, or if you think your timing belt needs to be replaced, get in touch with your local Maryland auto mechanics at Hillmuth Auto Care today. Schedule an appointment on our website, or give your local shop a call now!
