How often should you replace the timing belt on your car? That depends. Many modern vehicles use belts to keep the top and bottom half of the engine in time. This ensures that that the pistons, valves, and spark all operate at the correct time to make the car run normally. The service intervals on timing belts have a wide range. Some timing belts are recommended as early as 60,000 miles. Some as great as 150,000 miles. It is important to check the factory recommendations of your vehicle.
No matter the interval on your timing belt, it is extremely important to change it before it causes bigger issues. The most common way that a timing belt fails is that is skips a tooth or two. If your timing belt is out of place by even one tooth it can cause the vehicle to run poorly. If a valve is open when it should be closed a cylinder cannot build the pressure needed to fire normally. Below you can see a timing belt that has skipped a couple of teeth from where it should be. This caused a misfire in the VW.
If a timing belt breaks in stead of skipping a tooth or stretching it can cause much more serious damage. If you have what is know as an “interference engine” a broken timing belt can cost you thousands. In some engines the timing keeps key components at the top and bottom of the engine from running into each other. If the timing belt fails it can cause a complete failure of the engine or at very least bent or broken valves inside the engine.
If your are wondering if it is time to change your timing belt or if your vehicle even has a timing belt, give us a call. At Priebe’s Auto Clinic and Tire Center we can check take a look at your vehicle and check your vehicle history. If the timing belt is due, we can service it in a timely manor. Call 405-523-2172 or visit pacokc.com/appointments and get on the schedule asap.
