What is a Timing Belt? Signs & Replacement Cost Guide

The timing belt is an important part of your car, even though many road users have no idea what it is and what it does. Read our helpful guide and become an expert in all things timing belts.

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What is a Timing Belt, and what does it do?

The timing belt is a reinforced rubber belt with teeth on one side. It connects the engine's crankshaft and camshaft, ensuring the valves open and close perfectly with the pistons. In layman's terms, The timing belt ensures that everything works together and none of the important engine's parts hit off each other.

What's the difference between a Timing Belt and Timing Chain?

There isn't a great deal of difference; timing belts and timing chains do the exact same job but are made from different materials. As mentioned, timing belts are made from rubber with reinforced nylon or fibreglass, while timing chains are made of metal links. 

Timing belts are also usually found more in modern cars, while chains are found more in older cars and sporty cars.

What's the difference between a Timing Belt and Cam Belt?

Nothing. Timing belts and cam belts are the same part in a car. The word 'timing' comes from the belt keeping all the engine's pistons in the correct timing order, while 'cam' comes from connecting the engine's crankshaft and camshaft. 

The terms are interchangeable, and it depends on where you are. Timing belt is the majority term in Ireland, though in England, cam belt is used more often.

How Long Does a Timing Belt Last?

There is no hard and fast rule that a timing belt needs to be replaced or will break after a certain number of kilometres, so don't fall for a mechanic saying as much when you're having a car serviced. 

A rough rule of thumb is anywhere around 100,000 to 160,000 kilometres. It also depends on the make and model of the car. You can just get lucky, and it can last much longer, but make sure to check the car's logbook to see when the timing belt was last replaced to get a better idea, especially if you've bought second-hand.

Signs The Timing Belt Needs to be Replaced

So, what should someone look out for that could be a sign that the belt has trouble? Look out for the likes of:

• High-pitched noise: If you notice a piercing sound coming from the engine, it could be the timing belt.
• Engine misfires: A failing timing belt can cause the engine to misfire.
• Oil leaks near the timing belt: Oil leaks around the timing belt can mean the belt is weakening.
• Visible wear and tear: You cannot always see it in different cars but inspect the timing belt and look for any cracks or fraying.
• Engine won't start: The engine not starting could be a hundred different things, but it could be the timing belt has broken.

Bringing the car to get serviced soon? Read our top tips on getting your car serviced. Also, learn all about AA approved servicing.

How Much is a Timing Belt Change?

It all depends on the make and model of the car, but you are looking at somewhere between '400 to '. This should include the price of the parts and the labour involved. Best to around and get a couple of prices.

For more Automotive Timing Beltsinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

What Happens if the Timing Belt Breaks When Driving?

If the timing belt breaks when driving, it will cause significant damage to the engine. As the timing belt keeps everything in sync, it means the values and pistons collide and cause bends and breaks. 

In most cases, the car will be written off as the cost of getting a specialised mechanic to repair the engine will heavily outweigh the car's value. It may be worth it for more modern cars, but the timing belt shouldn't be breaking if the kilometres are low.

While you may not pay close attention to your car's timing belt, it plays an important role in the mechanics of your vehicle. The timing belt is an internal engine component that rotates the engine's cam and crankshaft in sync, ensuring each cylinder fires at the appropriate time. Your car's timing belt can be found under a timing cover near the front of the engine, and since it is likely manufactured from high-quality rubber, it will need to be replaced from time to time. In this blog, we'll look at a few common symptoms that may indicate your timing belt needs repair.

At SCR Performance in Loveland, our certified mechanics have helped hundreds of people repair and replace their worn out timing belt with a new model. If you notice any of the below symptoms in your vehicle, contact our auto shop today.

You Hear A Ticking Noise Coming From The Engine

If you hear a ticking noise coming from your car's engine, there could be something seriously wrong with your timing belt. The timing belt in your vehicle is attached by a series of pulleys that go to the engine's crank and cam shaft. The crankshaft powers the engine's connecting rods, which are attached to pistons inside of the combustion chamber. The camshaft, on the other hand, operates the cylinder head valves and rocker arm assembly, which sends fuel to the combustion chamber. The expelled gases then exit through the exhaust manifold. When your car's timing belt starts to wear out, it may produce a ticking sound inside of the motor. This could also be an indication of low oil pressure as well.

Your Car's Engine Won't Turn Over

When your car's timing belt is broken or irreplaceable, your engine will not be able to ignite or turn over properly. This means when you turn the key, you may hear the starter motor engage, but since the timing belt is responsible for operating the crank and shaft, it will not fully ignite. When your timing belt is broken, you won't be able to drive your car at all. Oftentimes, the timing belt will break while the car is in motion. This can cause serious damage to cylinder head hardware like rocker arms, push rods, or valves.

You Notice An Oil Leak Near The Motor

Another common sign that your timing belt is in bad shape is an oil leak. If you start to notice oil around your engine, your vehicle may be experiencing a leak, which often occurs from the timing belt cover. While your timing belt cover may be secured by a series of nuts and bolts, it is very likely that they can come loose over time. An oil leak may also occur when the gasket between the engine block and timing cover wears out or is cracked. This can lead to your engine overheating and a handful of other expensive repairs.

You Experience Exhaust Issues

If your car's exhaust has been expelling far more smoke than you're used to, it could be related to an issue with your timing belt. This can make your engine work harder than it's supposed to in an attempt to run under duress, which can lead to costly repairs down the line. As a result of this excess work, your car will expel more exhaust than it should.

Your Revs Start Acting Up

If you've noticed that your RPMs (revolutions per minute) have started to act strange, it could be an indication that something is wrong with your timing belt. Whether your timing belt is missing teeth, or it has snapped completely, this can have a tremendous effect on your car's RPM meter.

Unfortunately, sometimes there are no obvious signs that your car's timing belt is need of repair. That's why highly rated auto mechanics recommend replacing your timing belt every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. You can also check your owner's manual for the manufacturer's recommendation as well.

For more information, please visit Audi Timing Belt Replacement.

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