Everything You Need To Know About Timing Belts

Maintaining the monthly family budget is more challenging than ever these days, as many households struggle to make ends meet due to inflation and the rising costs of ordinary goods and services. Throw in an unexpected trip to the vet for a family pet or an appliance suddenly stops working, and many homes will need to find side gigs or take on credit card debt in order to pay the bills.

This is especially true for automobile repairs, and if your vehicle isn’t properly maintained, a single repair could run into the thousands. In this article, we'll look at a common problem in most vehicles: a broken timing belt and how to avoid it. Plus, we’ll look at where the timing belt is located, what happens when a timing belt breaks while driving, and an estimate of timing belt replacement costs.

If you’re looking for reliable auto repair services in Cumming and the surrounding area, Poston Motor Company should be your first call. Our technicians are trained and certified to work on most major brands. So call us today to set up an appointment!

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What is a timing belt, and where is it located?

The timing belt is a critical component of your car's engine. It is responsible for synchronizing the engine's camshaft and crankshaft. The timing belt is made of rubber with Kevlar or steel reinforcement. It should be replaced at the manufacturer's specified interval, typically between 40,000 and 100,000 miles.

A timing belt failure can cause serious engine damage, so it's essential to know the signs of a failing timing belt and a mechanic or repair facility that knows how to do timing belt replacement. 

What are the symptoms of a broken timing belt?

There are a few signs that you may need to replace your timing belt. These signs include noise coming from the engine, the check engine light coming on, and the car stalling or running rough. If you notice any of these symptoms, it's important to take your vehicle to a mechanic to have it checked out. 

Once at the repair facility, the mechanics will likely visually inspect the timing belt for any damage or wear. If they find any issues that need to be repaired, they'll give you an estimate of the timing belt replacement costs and get your approval before replacing the timing belt. This is a reasonably straightforward process, but it's essential to have it done by a professional to avoid any further damage to your car.

How do you fix a broken timing belt?

If your car's timing belt snaps, it can cause serious damage to your car’s engine. In some cases, it can even cause your engine to fail. Timing belts are essential to your engine's operation. They help to synchronize the engine's valves with its pistons. If the timing belt snaps, the valves, and pistons can collide, causing severe engine damage, which could leave you stranded along the road.

You can try fixing a broken timing belt yourself, but if you're unfamiliar with the repair process, viewing a Youtube video and repairing it yourself may not be the best idea. Instead, you should find a local garage that can replace the timing belt and are happy to provide a timing belt replacement cost before performing the work.

Should you drive with a broken timing belt?

So, should you drive with a broken timing belt? The answer is no. It's incredibly dangerous and can cause significant damage to your engine. If you're stranded with a broken timing belt, the best thing to do is call a tow truck and have your car towed to a nearby service station or auto repair facility.

The timing belt is responsible for synchronizing the engine's components, so the engine will not run correctly when it fails. This can lead to costly repairs, so it is important to have your timing belt checked regularly by a qualified mechanic. In addition, if your timing belt breaks while driving, your car could become difficult to control on the road, which can cause accidents and leave you stranded.

Looking for a friendly and trustworthy local auto repair shop?

If your timing belt does break, you'll want to have your car checked out by a mechanic as soon as possible. A broken timing belt can cause serious engine damage, so fixing it as quickly as possible with a reputable mechanic could save you thousands of dollars. Contact Poston Motor Company for all your car repair needs, and let us keep your vehicle running smoothly for years to come.