Timing Belt or Chain Replacement

Some vehicle problems are more serious than others, and the failure of a timing belt or timing chain is one of the worst things that can befall your car. If your timing belt breaks, you may not be driving any time soon, and you could be looking at a big repair bill.

Unfortunately, your timing belt or timing chain may not show signs of failure before it stops working. It is not always easy to tell when your timing belt is about to give way, and that is why it is so important to have your mechanic check it for signs of wear.

What Does the Timing Belt Do?

To understand how vital the timing belt or chain is, it is important to understand what it is and what it does. The timing belt, sometimes called the timing chain, is responsible for synchronizing the rotation of the camshaft and crankshaft. This rotation is what causes the valves in the engine to open and close at the proper times.

Since the timing belt has such an important job to do, it is easy to see how its premature failure could have a devastating impact on your vehicle’s engine. Without the timing belt to synchronize the rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft, the valves in the engine will not open and close properly, and that could result in serious, and expensive, engine damage.

Know the Warning Signs

One of the challenges when dealing with your timing belt or timing chain is that it is not always easy to know when this vital part is worn. For that reason, many service centers recommend replacing the timing chain at specific intervals, like every 80,000 miles. If your vehicle has more than 80,000 miles on it and you have never had the timing belt replaced, you might want to make an appointment with Fairfax Auto Repair.

We can check your timing belt or chain for signs of wear and let you know if you should have it replaced. It is better to replace your timing belt prematurely than wait and suffer damage to your engine.

Even though timing belt issues do not always make themselves known, there are a few warning signs you should look for. If you hear a strange ticking noise coming from your engine, you should suspect a problem with the timing belt. This ticking noise is often the first sign of trouble, and it is one you should not ignore.

Frequent misfires and oil leaks, especially in the front of the engine compartment, should also be cause for concern. If you notice any of these warning signs, it is time to bring your vehicle to Fairfax Auto Repair for diagnosis and repair.