Your vehicle’s timing belt isn’t just important. It’s a crucial component of your engine.
The timing belt is integral to make sure that your engine operates as it should. Here at Urban Autocare, a leading auto shop in the Denver area, we replace timing belts, protecting your vehicle from damage while ensuring that your engine operates as it should. Let’s take a look at the purpose of the timing belt, signs that you may have a failing timing belt, and why it’s crucial to have your belt replaced before it fails.
What Does Your Timing Belt Do?
The timing belt is the critical link that synchronizes the engine's camshafts, which are responsible for orchestrating the firing of the pistons. By governing the precise opening and closing of the engine's valves, the timing belt ensures every component works in perfect harmony. This flawless timing is what allows your engine to generate optimal torque and run with maximum smoothness and efficiency.
Why A Comprehensive Replacement Is Essential
We strongly recommend a comprehensive timing belt service that includes the serpentine belt, as both belts operate critical accessories like the water pump, alternator, and power steering pump—if either fails, these essential components stop working. Since accessing the timing belt requires significant engine disassembly, it is a smart, cost-effective best practice to also replace the water pump (if belt-driven), tensioners, and rollers simultaneously. This ensures the longevity and reliability of your entire system and helps you avoid costly future labor fees.
Signs of a Failing Timing Belt
It can be difficult to know when a timing belt is failing, since rubber timing belts are built to run silently. However, there are a few signs that you might notice which should serve as a red flag:
Clicking, Whirring, and Squealing
If you notice that your engine is making strange noises as it runs, the timing belt could be to blame. These noises can be especially prevalent just as you start the engine.
Difficulty Starting
If your car isn’t starting right after you turn the key, your timing belt may be slipping or nearly broken. If your car won’t start at all, your timing belt may be completely broken.
No Warning
Timing belts can fail suddenly. The rubber ages and dries out in Colorado's climate, even on cars that aren't driven often. To be safe, it's essential to replace the belt every eight to ten years, regardless of its mileage.
Records
Unless you have a copy of an invoice showing when the timing belt service was done, don’t assume it was actually done. If it fails or a roller or tensioner for the belt fails, it could become a very costly job because internal engine components could be damaged.
How Do You Check a Timing Belt?
Fix Your Timing Belt Before It Fails
If your timing belt is failing, you should take your vehicle to a car mechanic immediately—don’t attempt to drive your vehicle to a repair shop; have it towed. If your timing belt fails or breaks completely while running the engine, you can cause irreparable damage to the engine. Valves can bend, the camshaft and cylinders can be damaged. It’s likely that your engine will be totaled if your timing belt fails while the engine is running. Even if you have an interference engine, a timing belt failure can ruin your engine.
Urban Autocare Timing Belt Replacements
Don’t let your timing belt ruin your engine. If you’re experiencing any of the above signs or if you are unsure if it's time to replace your belts and corresponding auxiliary parts, then it is time for you to stop in and visit your local mechanics at Urban Autocare. As a full-service auto shop offering comprehensive car maintenance and repair, we are equipped to handle all your vehicle's needs. We have six locations — South Denver, Lakewood, Littleton, Denver Highlands, North Denver, and Arvada — and we’re proud to serve folks throughout the Denver Metro area, including our friends in Park Hill, Washington Park, Downtown, and Uptown. We also work with all sorts of makes and models, including Jeep, Subaru, and Toyota, to name a few.
Trust our expert car mechanics to properly handle your belt services. Our auto repair services include timing belt and serpentine belt replacements, and that might just save your engine! Proper car maintenance is key, and timing belts should be replaced every 60,000 to 100,000 miles, or every eight to ten years, depending on the vehicle and engine. We also recommend replacing the water pump if it is driven by the timing belt and the tensioner and other rollers at the same time to prevent future issues with those components. We're here to help — reach out to Urban Autocare to schedule your timing belt replacement!
