When Does a Timing Belt Need to Be Replaced?
Since there are no obvious warning signs, there is really no way to know when your timing belt might snap. That’s why your car owners manual tells you at exactly what mileage intervals you should change it, regardless of whether you are having car problems or not. Typically, that will be anywhere from 60,000 to 120,000 miles depending on the manufacturer.
The timing belt is buried deep inside your car’s engine, so it is very labor intensive and the cost is considerably more in time and labor than in the actual cost of the belt. To save money in the future, you should seriously consider replacing your water pump at the same time - even if it isn’t bad or leaking at that time. Otherwise, the new timing belt will outlast the water pump and the water pump is driven by the timing belt. You will save money on labor preventing a pump replacement that is going to require taking all of that stuff apart again. Also, when water pumps fail, they can ruin a brand new timing belt causing the catastrophe listed above that we were trying to prevent in the first place. Additionally, timing belt idlers and tensioners should be addressed for exactly the same reasons as the water pump.
Why Tri-City Transmission?
- Quality Workmanship. This is always key when performing a timing belt replacement. At Tri-City Transmissions, we use Sr. Technicians only. Poor workmanship ruins cars and we see it daily. Poor gas mileage, annoying check engine lights, catastrophic engine failure - just to name a few.
- Quality Parts. We use only OEM, OES or equivalent. We use original parts, not generic. Everyone will tell you they are using good parts, but are they?
- Complete Repairs. Water pump, timing belt tensioners, timing belt idlers, and necessary seals are all easily accessible while working on a timing belt. Avoid paying for repairs twice by taking advantage of this and repairing or replacing all necessary parts while we are already deep within your engine.