Replacing Your Timing Belt
The first time most drivers think about the timing belt in their vehicle is when the manufacturer’s recommend maintenance schedule says it needs to be replaced.
Other drivers aren’t so lucky. These drivers are often lamenting a problem they didn’t know they had when the timing belt brakes and leaves them stranded on the road with a repair bill of several thousand dollars.
There’s an easy way to keep yourself and your vehicle in the first group – follow your vehicle’s maintenance schedule!
Timing belts should be replaced before it puts your vehicle at risk for a breakdown. The timing belt is a critical component in your vehicle because it controls the other components in your engine to keep your vehicle running. In interference engines, the pistons and valves that control the release of air and gas in a combustion engine are precisely placed in the engine. They must operate in sync in order for the combustion cycle to be completed accurately.
The pistons and valves must move in coordinated motions to avoid interfering with the other’s function. That’s where timing belts come in – they control the timing of these motions so that the pistons and valves never hit each other.
But if the timing belt brakes, the precise control of motion in the engine is out of sync. The pistons may move too early or too late. If they hit and break the valve, you may need to replace the entire engine!
Timing belts in vehicles are designed to control the vital systems in your engine so they work together exactly the way they should. Because the timing belt is made of rubber and functions in the high stress, high heat environment of the engine, it will become worn over time.
Unfortunately, there are no obvious warning signs for timing belts. If drivers don’t notice or miss the recommended replacement date, the timing belt is at a higher risk of breaking.
Replacing the timing belt on schedule can cost hundreds of dollars, but replacing the entire engine and sensitive components damaged when the timing belt breaks costs several thousand!
Don’t leave your family at risk. Come to Myers Automotive! Our technicians will keep track of the maintenance schedule for your vehicle and recommended the services you need. Preventative maintenance can save you thousands by keeping your vehicle running efficiently and avoiding costly breakdowns. To learn more about belt replacement or to set up a preventative maintenance schedule with our auto repair experts, be sure to request an appointment online.
