A New Timing Belt Should Be Left to Auto Repair Experts
Timing belts are all about timing. Get them replaced on time, or risk losing an engine. Like death and taxes, replacing them is an inevitable repair that will require a professional foreign car repair shop to do the job right.
Timing belts connect the camshaft to the crankshaft of the engine. They make sure the pistons have the correct timing within the engine cycle. Most are made of rubber. If the timing belt breaks, the engine will stop running. Because most modern engines are interference engines that absolutely require the pistons to go off in the correct order, severe engine damage can occur when it breaks, sometimes requiring replacement of the entire engine itself. Having your timing belt replaced is not a repair you want to put off.
Tips on How to Tell if Your Auto Repair Shop is Honest
While your timing belt is being replaced, any auto repair garage worth their salt will recommend replacing your water pump at the same time. It kills two birds with one stone, since you’ll already have a professional Cincinnati car mechanic working on that part of the engine. Depending on how things look under the hood, they may recommend replacing front engine seals, drive belt, idlers, and tensioners as well. If you have a reputable auto repair shop, you know you can trust their recommendations.
In some cases, your car may give you a dashboard warning light that lets you know you need to replace a timing belt. On some cars this light may triggered by your car hitting a specific mileage and doesn’t necessarily indicate the health of the belt itself. You still will want to get it checked out by a reputable auto repair garage. On newer cars the warning light will more likely be a signal from the camshaft or crankshaft sensors.
How Do You Know When its Time To Replace a Timing Belt?
When it’s time for the belt to be changed the engine may start to make scrapping or clapping noises. Though it it may only need some simple adjustment, it may also need to be replaced outright. But in our opinion, if you are already at your Cincinnati, OH auto repair shop, and they are already tinkering with that timing belt, you might as well just get it replaced.
Worn belts can “jump,” which means they skip a tooth or two on the cam gear, which you may be able to hear as your engine is running. It’s usually a matter of mileage that indicates when a new belt is needed, but even a low mileage car that’s been around for a decade or two may need the belt replaced due to the natural decay of the materials. Most timing belts need to be replaced at 90,000 miles, but the surest way to know when to replace your timing belt is to consult your owner’s manual or talk to your favorite auto repair shop.
Track All of The Auto Repair Maintenance You Have DoneAlways note down when you’ve had a timing belt changed immediately after you’ve had it serviced at an Ohio auto repair shop. If the car was previously owned, you may find a sticker located underneath the hood indicating when the timing belt was last changed by the last car repair guy. Like oil changes, timing belts need to be replaced at regular intervals, or expensive damage can result, up to and including having to replace the engine. Nobody likes to be stranded on the side of the road.
