Many engines synchronize the camshaft(s) to the crankshaft through the use of a timing belt. Not like timing chains, timing belts are sometimes used because of they make a lot much less noise. This does have its drawbacks, nonetheless, as a result of the rubber they’re constructed from will stretch and would possibly in the end break. Due to this timing belts have very explicit various intervals. On this text, we’ll cowl the value of a timing belt change. We’ll moreover deal with worn timing belt indicators and what goes proper right into a timing belt restore.
What Is A Timing Belt?
As we talked about above, a timing belt – additionally known as a cambelt – is among the many strategies an engine’s crankshaft is synchronized to the camshaft(s). Timing belts are constructed of a strengthened rubber that could possibly be very resilient. Nonetheless, this rubber softens over time on account of heat, placed on, and fluid intrusion. Timing belts are used on some vehicles as a substitute of timing chains or gears. As an illustration, the ninth period of the Honda Accord used a timing belt.
Every interference and non-interference engines can use a timing belt.
Interference Vs. Non-interference Engines
Some engines can experience excessive hurt if synchronization is misplaced between the camshaft(s) and crankshaft. These engines are often known as interference engines. An engine that will likely not be damaged by an absence of cam/crank synchronization is called a non-interference engine.
The place Is The Timing Belt Positioned?
The timing belt will seemingly be located on the doorway of the engine behind a timing cowl. Typically, an engine that makes use of a timing belt may have a plastic timing cowl. Often, the elimination of kit or engine mounts will seemingly be required to attain entry to the timing belt.
When To Substitute The Timing Belt
The subsequent are widespread timing belt intervals by widespread producers:
| Producer | Interval Mileage (miles) |
| Acura / Honda | 60,000 – 100,000 |
| VW / Audi / Porsche | 70,000 – 100,000 |
| GM / Chevrolet | 60,000 |
| Chrysler / Dodge | 60,000 – 110,000 |
| Hyundai / Kia | 60,000 |
| Ford / Lincoln / Mercury | 60,000 – 120,000 |
| Toyota / Lexus | 60,000 – 90,000 |
| Nissan / Infiniti | 50,000 – 100,000 |
| Mitsubishi | 60,000 |
| Subaru | 105,000 |
| Suzuki | 60,000 – 100,000 |
Timing belt various intervals can differ by model, so be certain you search the recommendation of your shopper handbook to search out out the exact various interval relavant to your automotive.
Indicators Your Timing Belt Needs To Be Modified
Timing belts must be modified by the producer’s advisable mileage interval on account of the chance of the belt breaking. If the timing belt breaks on an interference engine, excessive engine hurt can occur. These are some frequent worn timing belt indicators:
- Engine misfires
- Lowered vitality
- Flapping noise from engine
- Ticking noise from engine
- The engine would not start
Timing Belts And Water Pumps
Most engines that use a timing belt may have the water pump pushed by the timing belt fairly than an adjunct belt. As a result of this, we on a regular basis advocate that when your water pump or timing belt is being modified, change every parts. Many timing belts fail on account of coolant or oil leaking onto the belt, lowering its energy.
Timing Belt Substitute
The issue involved with altering a timing belt varies from engine to engine. Some timing belts are super straightforward and solely take an hour or two to interchange. Others can take an expert restore technician over six hours to interchange.
Specific Devices
Some autos would require utilizing specialty devices to hold out an accurate timing belt various service. These devices vary from automotive to automotive and in value. Usually, a cam holding software program will should be used. In numerous features, a specific belt tensioner software program is required. Nearly all autos will need the crankshaft pulley (harmonic balancer) pulled to remove the belt and reduce timing cowl. This typically requires a specific ‘pulley puller’ to be used. Most generic pullers can get this job accomplished.
Timing Belt Substitute Course of
Like most jobs/suppliers, the exact steps or procedures that should be adopted to interchange a timing belt will vary from automotive to automotive. We on a regular basis advocate utilizing a service handbook when performing robust repairs. These manuals will inform you of any required explicit devices along with the exact steps. The subsequent are the steps to interchange a timing belt:
- Buy all the precise parts, along with the timing belt, accent belt, gaskets, and fluids.
- Disconnect the Harmful (-) battery terminal.
- Take away the accent drive belt(s)
- *Take away tools. (A/C compressor, alternator, vitality steering pump)
- *Help the engine and take away the engine mounts.
- Take away the upper timing cowl(s) to attain entry to the timing belt.
- Set the timing marks to the precise location. Timing marks could also be strains, indents, dots, or arrows.
- Take away the crankshaft pulley.
- Take away the lower timing cowl.
- Take away the timing belt tensioner.
- Take away the timing belt pulleys and belt.
- Look at cam and crank seals for oil leakage. Substitute if compulsory.*
- *Take away the water pump.
- *Substitute the water pump and gasket.
- Arrange the model new timing belt, pulleys, and tensioner. Assure timing marks are appropriately aligned. Look at by rotating the engine. If the engine cannot rotate, the timing is flawed.
- Reassemble parts.
- *Prime up fluids and bleed air from the cooling system if the water pump is modified.
*These steps won’t be required for every timing belt various.
In the long run, a timing belt various service could also be very involved and intensely costly if not carried out appropriately. If in case you have got any questions on performing this service or when you’ll be able to’t buy the required devices, let the professionals take care of it.
How Lots Does It Worth To Substitute A Timing Belt?
So, how so much does a timing belt various actually value? Identical to the restore itself, the related charge varies from automotive to automotive. The related charge could even be considerably impacted whenever you perform the automotive timing belt restore your self. RepairPal estimates the standard value of timing belt various to be between $600 and $800. The weather alone will widespread spherical $300 to $400.
These estimates do not embrace the choice of the water pump, seals, or fluids.
Although the value of paying for a timing belt various may appear extreme, the worth of a model new engine or having your engine rebuilt after a timing belt failure is even higher. We advocate paying shut consideration to your producer’s timing belt various interval. Must you purchased your automotive used and/in any other case you don’t have the entire automotive restore historic previous and your mileage is nearing or over the interval, change the timing belt. In unusual situations the place an older automotive has not lined many miles, we advocate altering the timing belt sooner than it reaches the mileage limit for this job as a result of the age of a automotive may additionally affect the degradation of a timing belt.
Aspect Worth Estimates
| Aspect | Worth Estimate (excluding labor) |
| Timing belt half tools | $300 – $400 |
| Water pump | $50 – $120 |
| Engine coolant | $20 – $60 |
| Accent belt | $20 – $55 |

