Timing Belts or Chains

Whether your vehicle has a timing belt or timing chain, it is crucial to the smooth running of your engine. A failure can cause catastrophic damage to key components of your engine. Your vehicle manufacturer typically provides the ideal mileage limits for when replacement is necessary. (See your vehicle scheduled maintenance chart in your owner’s manual.) However, depending on how you drive your vehicle the limits may be earlier than suggested.

The timing belt in your vehicle maintains the correct timing of the engine valves in relation to the up-and-down movement of the pistons. In most cases the timing belt will drive the water pump as well. When a timing belt is showing signs of wear you may notice your vehicle becoming hard to start (even when it is warm) or the idle of your engine has become rougher than usual. You may also notice an occasional misfire and poor gas mileage. If you have gotten to this point, you should bring your vehicle in immediately before damage to key components occur such as damage caused by a piston striking a valve. If this occurs the repair can become quite extensive and much more expensive.