Timing Belts

Timing belt replacement at or before the manufacturers recommended intervals is extremely important. Many engines have an interference design. This means that the valves and pistons share the same space at different times. If the timing belt breaks the valves and piston collide causing damage to the valves, pistons, cylinder head, or all of the above. This results in costly repairs. Recommended timing belt replacement can be every 50K miles to every 100K miles depending on the manufacturer. If the timing belt turns the water pump, it is recommended that the water pump is replaced with the timing belt. This saves money on labor in the long run. It is possible to replace the belt only; the most correct fix is to replace the belt, pulleys, and water pump. This prevents premature wear on a new belt. Some vehicles have a timing chain instead of a belt. Most timing chains last the life of the engine if it is well maintained. Here is a link that will help you determine when your timing belt needs to be replaced http://www.ourautoshop.com/TBeltChart.html If there are any additional questions or if you would like to set up a time to have your timing belt replaced please call Ryan Jones at 801-896-7207.