Belts don’t cost a much by themselves. Since many pieces must be removed in order to reach the belt, labor is where the true expense lies. Your best chance is to shop about and compare prices, but be prepared to pay anything between $409 and $919. (including parts and labor).
In This Article...
What occurs when a Toyota Corolla’s timing belt fails?
With a broken timing belt, your automobile cannot operate. You won’t be able to drive at all by the time the belt snaps because the harm has already been done. The vehicle will need to be towed to an auto repair facility.
How much does it cost to repair a timing belt?
The engine of your car cannot function without a timing belt. Timing belt preventative maintenance is far less expensive than waiting for it to break. O’Leary’s Automotive provides skilled mechanics who can assist if you need high-quality timing belt repair in Wilmington, North Carolina.
The camshaft and the crankshaft are two different types of shafts found in your engine. These shafts are made to start the engine cycle and deliver torque while controlling the pistons in the engines. The camshaft and crankshaft are controlled by grooves or teeth on the timing belt. This makes it possible for the engine valves to open and close precisely when necessary for efficient operation.
Timing belts comprised of chains and gears are used in some automobiles. Although these timing belts are more resilient, they need lubrication to function. The timing belts in many modern automobiles are comprised of a rubber composition. These timing belts tend to wear out more quickly but are quieter and more energy-efficient.
Warning Signs a Timing Belt Replacement is Needed
The majority of timing belts require replacement every 60,000 to 90,000 miles. Because it is crucial to the engine’s functionality, the timing belt acts inside the engine. Don’t put off changing the belt until it breaks. Your engine won’t start if your timing belt breaks.
You might observe one or more of the following if your timing belt is broken or worn out:
- Rumbling or rough idling coming from the engine
- engine stalls
- the engine’s smoke
- lower oil pressure
- damaged pistons or valves
Timing Belt Repair & Quality Auto Repair in Wilmington, NC
It is best to have a qualified, quality auto repair technician evaluate your car as soon as possible if you have encountered one or more of the aforementioned symptoms. Expect to pay between $300 and $500 for the service if your timing belt needs to be replaced. Many automobiles’ timing belts require some disassembly and reassembly since they are not always easily accessible. Smaller engines in economy cars result in less work. However, larger trucks, SUVs, or premium cars can take a lot longer.
Is it pricey to replace a timing belt?
Depending on your car, a timing belt service could become a major hassle and be very expensive. Timing belt replacement before it breaks can typically cost between $500 and $1,000, but waiting until it breaks can cost up to $2,000 or more. especially if other damage resulted from the process.
Why are timing belts so costly?
The timing belt is not a pricey component by itself. It is so expensive because of the time and labor involved. The engine must be disassembled in order to access the timing belt. It takes a lot of time and effort to do it.
Can I change the timing belt on my own?
It does need some engine knowledge to replace a timing belt and water pump, so if you don’t have much expertise working under the hood, we advise leaving it to the experts. However, if you prefer making your own repairs and restorations, you can do it yourself and avoid paying hefty repair expenses in the process.
Starting with the tools you’ll need, we’ll walk you through the replacement of a timing belt and water pump step by step.
What You’ll Need to Replace the Water Pump and Timing Belt
- Wrench socket set
- tools for driving screws, such as Philips and slot drive
- Set of Allen keys
- jar or bucket (for collecting coolant)
- bags made of plastic and a permanent marker (for labelling nuts, bolts and parts you remove from the engine)
- leather gloves
- Tip-Ex, white chalk, and white paint (for marking the cogs for simpler reassembly)
- a fresh timing belt
- a fresh water pump
- new antifreeze/coolant
Step 1: Preparation
Get your car and work area ready first. Depending on your degree of experience, changing a timing belt and water pump can take anywhere from one to three hours, so make sure you have the time and space necessary. Before you begin, carry out the following:
- To reach the undercarriage beneath the engine, jack up the front of the automobile.
- Since coolant will spill out when you remove the water pump, place a bucket underneath it. To find the pump, see your car’s manual.
- Prepare all of your tools, and have bags and a pen on available to name and store the engine parts you remove.
- Before starting, make sure the engine is entirely cool.
- To stop the engine from spinning while you’re removing the timing belt, put the engine in drive and use the handbrake.
Step 2: Removing the Belts
You must first remove the fan belt and power steering belt because they are located next to the cover that protects the timing belt and water pump. To remove the belts, take the following actions:
- The fasteners holding the alternator in place should be loosened. The fan belt can then be removed by lightly tapping it.
- To access the timing case and crankshaft pulley, do the same with the power steering belt by moving it aside.
- Crankshaft pulley: Loosen. To access the engine and remove the bolt, you’ll need a long wrench arm.
Before a timing belt breaks, is there a warning?
- Timing belt replacement should be taken into consideration for vehicles that have accumulated 70,000 to 100,000 miles as a general rule of maintenance.
- You should keep an eye out for certain telltale warning indications that your timing belt is likely to fail, such as ticking noises, difficulty starting the vehicle, piston misfires, exhaust smoke, excessive vibrations, and oil leaks.
- A competent shop will charge between $250 and $500 to replace the timing belt on the majority of automobiles. You may save a lot of money on a timing belt replacement by just purchasing the belt itself if you have mechanical aptitude and are prepared to put in the effort to do the task yourself.
Warning Signs to Replace Your Car’s Timing Belt: Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Timing Belt Your car’s timing belt is a crucial component that, if not promptly and correctly replaced, can result in expensive damage. In order to prevent expensive repairs that could occur from a timing belt breaking while you are driving the car, it is recommended that cars that have accumulated 70,000 to 100,000 miles be thought about for a timing belt replacement. Regardless of how many miles are on your automobile, there are certain symptoms and warning indications that you should pay close attention to as they may be signs that your timing belt is beginning to break. Learn more about your timing belt and how to spot signs that it might need to be replaced by reading the rest of this article. The Timing Belt: What Is It? The timing belt in your car is primarily in charge of managing the opening and closing of the valves between the crankshaft and the camshaft to ensure that the pistons fire properly. When the belt starts to break down, the pistons will misfire and the valves won’t close properly, which can often result in immediate and costly engine damage. When a timing belt fails while you are driving, it may be necessary to rebuild the complete engine (or just some of it). Depending on the age of your car, an engine repair could cost several thousand pounds and might not even be worthwhile (because of the mileage, condition, or other factors). Have your vehicle inspected as soon as you observe any of the warning indicators listed below to prevent this. Timing belt failure symptoms Even though no two cars are alike, every car that has a timing belt uses it for the same purpose. As a result, there are a few unmistakable indicators that your timing belt is likely to fail. If you detect any of these, take your car to a mechanic right away and don’t drive it until it has been examined.
- Ticking Sounds: The timing belt is held in position by a set of pulleys, which also enables the timing belt to function properly. A ticking sound may be audible coming from the motor when your timing belt begins to wear. You should still take your car to a professional to get this problem diagnosed right away even if it can also be a sign of low oil pressure or inadequate maintenance.
- Car won’t start: If the timing belt is entirely damaged, your car’s engine won’t even turn over. Most likely, when you turn the key, you’ll hear a “click” followed by silence. The starter motor may turn on, but the engine won’t turn over because the belt is damaged.
- Piston misfires can cause excessive smoke and engine damage, but they are less obvious to the typical driver. The engine won’t fire properly if a timing belt is excessively worn. This could cause major harm to valves, push rods, rocker arms, and other engine components, necessitating costly and time-consuming repairs.
- Exhaust Smoke: If smoke is flowing from your tailpipe, your engine isn’t adequately burning fuel. This might be the result of a timing belt that is stretched or worn, which would prevent the valves from opening and closing as they ought to. It needs to be fixed right away, whether it requires a timing correction or a complete replacement.
- Excessive Vibrations: If your engine’s timing is incorrect, there may be an extra amount of shaking or vibration emanating from it. This can be the result of faulty spark plugs, but it can also indicate a timing belt problem. You should inspect your timing belt as soon as possible if your spark plugs are in good condition.
- Oil Leaks: The timing belt cover or the gasket between the timing cover and the engine block may be the source of any oil leaks you observe on the front of the engine. This could be an indication of a worn belt, or the leak could cause the engine to overheat and hasten the belt’s deterioration. In any case, it needs to be fixed right away.
How can I tell if my timing belt needs to be replaced?
Even though you might not pay much attention to it, your car’s timing belt is crucial to how it works mechanically. An internal engine part called the timing belt ensures that each cylinder fires at the proper moment by synchronizing the crankshaft and camshaft rotations. Near the front of the engine, under a timing cover, is where you’ll find your car’s timing belt. Because it’s probably made of high-quality rubber, it will eventually need to be changed. We’ll examine a few typical signs that your timing belt might need repair in this blog.
You Hear A Ticking Noise Coming From The Engine
Your timing belt may be significantly damaged if you hear a ticking sound emanating from the engine of your car. Your car’s timing belt is connected to the crankshaft and camshaft of the engine through a number of pulleys. The connecting rods of the engine, which are connected to the pistons inside the combustion chamber, provide power. The rocker arm assembly and cylinder head valves are controlled by the camshaft, which delivers gasoline to the combustion chamber. The exhaust manifold is the next point of exit for the released gases. Your car’s timing belt may start to twitch inside the engine when it begins to wear out. This can potentially be a symptom of low oil pressure.
Your Car’s Engine Won’t Turn Over
Your car’s engine won’t start or turn over properly if the timing belt is damaged or nonreplaceable. As a result, even though you might hear the starter motor turn on when you turn the key, it won’t fully ignite because the timing belt is what drives the crank and shaft. You won’t be able to operate your car at all if your timing belt breaks. The timing belt frequently fails when the car is in motion. Rocker arms, push rods, and valves on cylinder heads may sustain catastrophic damage as a result.
You Notice An Oil Leak Near The Motor
An oil leak is another typical indicator that your timing belt needs to be replaced. Your car may be experiencing an oil leak if you start to see it around the engine; these leaks frequently originate from the timing belt cover. A number of nuts and bolts may hold your timing belt cover in place, but it’s very possible that they could loosen over time. When the gasket between the engine block and timing cover deteriorates or cracks, an oil leak may also happen. This may cause your engine to overheat and necessitate a number of costly repairs.
You Experience Exhaust Issues
There may be a problem with your timing belt if your car’s exhaust has been releasing a lot more smoke than usual. Your engine may try to run under pressure by working harder than it should, which could result in expensive repairs down the road. This extra work causes your car to emit more emissions than it should.
Your Revs Start Acting Up
Your timing belt may be having problems if you’ve observed that your RPMs (revolutions per minute) have started to behave strangely. Your timing belt’s condition, including any missing teeth or a complete break, can have a significant impact on your car’s RPM meter.
Unfortunately, sometimes there are no overt indications that the timing belt in your car needs to be repaired. Because of this, highly regarded mechanics advise changing your timing belt every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. You can also look for the manufacturer’s advice in your owner’s manual.