If your vehicle has more than 70,000 miles on it, there’s a hidden danger you should know about. It’s a small part that’s wearing out, and if it breaks before you replace it, it could destroy your engine. We’re talking about the timing belt. It’s a sad but common tale: someone’s driving down the road, and the belt snaps. The car stalls and won’t restart. A tow truck hauls the car to the auto repair shop, and the driver discovers it will cost $2000 or more to rebuild the engine. It’s common because it happens to a lot of people; it’s sad because it’s so preventable.
What A Timing Belt Is And What It Does
A timing belt is a rubber belt with teeth that helps the engine operate smoothly by linking the camshaft(s) and crankshaft. The camshaft is a spinning shaft that helps with the proper timing of the valves inside the engine to open and close. Meanwhile, the crankshaft helps the pistons move up and down. Connecting the camshaft to the crankshaft with a belt keeps the two assemblies in sync. That way, the valves open and close at the correct time. It’s worth noting that not all cars have a timing belt. Some have a timing chain (or in rare cases, a set of gears) instead.
How Do I Know My Timing Belt Needs To Be Replaced?
The timing belt can fail without any prior symptoms, so if you’re within the mileage window, you should go ahead and have it replaced regardless. Sometimes your car will give you a bit of warning that the belt is wearing out. You should take the car to a qualified auto repair shop if you experience any of the following:
● Difficulty starting the car: This can occur for several reasons, often because the ignition timing is off.
● Visible exhaust: If your car starts pouring out thick smoke from the tailpipe, the fuel isn’t burning properly – possibly due to the valves not opening or closing in time.
● Odd vibrations with the engine: When the timing belt is stretched or is missing teeth, it can throw off the engine’s natural rhythm, causing the vehicle to vibrate or shake.
Quality Timing Belt Replacement In Blaine Minnesota
Don’t be one of the many who ignore this part and end up with a repair bill worth thousands of dollars! The ASE-certified mechanics at Clark Automotive have the specialized equipment needed for proper timing belt installations, placement, and tightening. Call the shop today at (763) 784-7944 or email info@clarkautomotiveblaine.com with questions, or to schedule an appointment.
