When Is The Best Time To Replace Your Timing Belt?

The timing belt is a critical part of your car, but it is probably not something you think about often. In fact, if you only drive newer cars, it is probably something that you will never even need to think about. However, if you like to save money by keeping an older car on the road, then replacing your timing belt on schedule cannot be neglected. Failing to take care of your timing belt can cause extensive damage to your engine and possibly even total your car.

The good news is that timing belt replacement is a fairly straightforward and relatively inexpensive task on most vehicles. If your car is accumulating miles and getting on in years, and you haven’t yet had the timing belt replaced, schedule a visit to McCluskey Chevrolet and let our team take a look to see if it’s time to take care of this critical task.

What Is a Timing Belt?

A gasoline or diesel engine is an incredibly complex piece of machinery that requires hundreds of parts moving at high speeds in perfect synchronization in order to generate power efficiently. Pistons, valves, fuel injectors, spark plugs, and more are cycling dozens of times every second—and if they get out of sync, your engine will have problems. While you might imagine that this complex system is managed by advanced computers, the majority of it is actually kept going by a simple piece of rubber known as the timing belt. The timing belt connects the engine’s crankshaft with its camshafts, ensuring that everything moves in perfect synchronization.

This simple solution to a complex task is extremely reliable and affordable. However, like any piece of rubber, a timing belt has a set lifespan. Over time, it will begin to stretch, fray, crack, and wear. This problem will usually manifest in reduced fuel economy and power as the timing belt starts to slip, letting the pistons and valves get out of sync. In the worst case, a timing belt that has not been replaced on schedule could fail catastrophically, letting the different parts of the engine fly out of control. This may allow the valves and pistons to come into contact with each other, destroying the engine.

When Should a Timing Belt Be Replaced?

In the old days, a timing belt might only last around 40,000 to 60,000 miles. However, because of advances in materials science, modern timing belts usually last 80,000 to 100,000 miles. This means that a timing belt replacement isn’t something you will need to worry about often unless you put a lot of miles on your car. However, you should always consult the maintenance intervals laid out by your vehicle’s manufacturer in your owner’s manual. Some vehicles have a noticeably shorter or longer timing belt replacement schedule than the industry average. For instance, the Chevy 6.6L Duramax has a timing belt designed to last for 150,000 miles.

Since timing belts are made of rubber, you should also consider the age of the belt. Even if you don’t drive often, you should think about replacing your timing belt at the eight- to ten-year mark, otherwise it could grow brittle and fail. The good news is that it is relatively easy to check the condition of your timing belt at home. Simply pop the hood and locate the timing belt––it is usually the thick belt that makes a point-down triangle at the front or one side of your engine. If the belt is frayed, has visible cracks, or has excessive slack, then it is time to replace it. If you’re unsure about the condition of your timing belt, visit our service center and we can inspect it for you.

Don’t Just Replace the Timing Belt

When it comes time to have your timing belt replaced, it is a good idea to combine the job with several other major maintenance items that usually occur around the same time. While this will increase the cost of the timing belt replacement, it will be cheaper and quicker than having to bring your car back to our service center a second time, especially since some of these maintenance items will require removing the timing belt. For instance, the timing belt tensioner and water pump should generally be replaced at around 100,000 miles, and they are both connected to the timing belt. Replacing all three items simultaneously means that everything only has to come out the one time, saving you a considerable amount of money.

Timing Belts vs Timing Chains

Not so long ago, virtually every car used a timing belt. But today, the majority of vehicles are instead equipped with a timing chain. Timing chains and timing belts work the same exact way, connecting the crankshaft to the camshafts to keep the moving components of the engine in sync, but they are made from different materials and have different expected lifespans. Because timing chains are constructed from durable steel links, they are designed to last far longer than timing belts. In fact, most timing chains are intended to last for the lifespan of the vehicle without replacement. They are also generally better protected than timing belts, usually being installed inside rather than outside of the engine body.

However, the added durability of a timing chain does not mean that you can simply forget about it. Timing chains will still stretch over time, just not as quickly as timing belts. To compensate for a stretching chain, engines are equipped with a timing chain tensioner that automatically takes up the slack and keeps everything running smoothly. Unfortunately, many timing chain tensioners fail long before the timing chain itself. This means it is a generally good idea to have the timing chain and tensioner inspected at around the 100,000-mile mark. In most cases, these components will still be in good health, but it is critical to catch potential problems before you suffer a timing chain failure.

Timing Belts vs Gear Drive

Timing belts and timing chains are not the only way to connect the crankshaft and camshafts. Some engines use gear drive, which employs a series of small gears rather than a rubber belt or steel chain. This system is by far the most durable and requires virtually no maintenance over the lifetime of the vehicle. However, it is generally louder, more expensive, and less efficient. These drawbacks mean that gear drive is mostly found on large truck engines like the Ram 6.7L Cummins and Ford 6.7L Power Stroke turbo-diesels, where drivers care less about extra noise and reduced fuel economy.

Don’t Forget About Your Timing Belt

We know how easy it is to push off long-interval maintenance items like the timing belt replacement. After all, if you haven’t needed to think about it for nearly 100,000 miles, how much can letting it slide for a few thousand more miles hurt? Unfortunately, the timing belt is a critical part of your vehicle, and failing to replace it on schedule can cause extensive damage to your engine.

If your car, truck, or SUV is beginning to rack up miles, maybe it’s time to start paying attention to your timing belt. The good news is that our team here at McCluskey Chevrolet is ready to help. We can quickly inspect the condition of your timing belt and let you know how much longer you can go before it is time to replace it.