Timing Belt Replacements & Timing Chain Replacements

Auto Service Experts San Antonio Automotive Repair Shop

Timing belt replacement is a crucial part of scheduled maintenance. The belts are rubber and therefore breakdown or rot over time. If the timing belt breaks, your car or truck will not run. In many vehicles (specifically those with interference fit engines) a broken timing belt also causes damage to the engine valves, pistons, cylinders, connecting rod, and oil pan. This results in repairs which are much more costly than replacing the belt before it breaks. Bent valves result in little to no compression in one or more cylinders. Damages from a failed timing belt may require a valve job, head job, or complete engine overhaul to repair.

Timing System Components

The ASE Certified Master Technicians at Auto Service Experts have the proper training, experience, & equipment to replace timing belts or chains on all makes & models of cars, trucks, & SUVs, both foreign & domestic. Whether your vehicle is due for a belt replacement as a part of scheduled preventative car maintenance, or you need major engine repairs due to a broken chain, we have got you covered. We are committed to exceptional service & top quality repairs at fair prices. We use only high-quality parts, and back our work with a full warranty (with limited nationwide coverage) on parts & labor.

Full 3 Year/36,000 Mile Warranty on Timing Belt Replacements

Signs You Need a Timing Belt Replacement

Unfortunately, there are no real warning signs before a timing belt breaks. It basically works until it doesn't. Unless the belt is severely rotted or visibly cracked, even a mechanic cannot tell how much or how little life is left in it. In order to avoid a breakdown which causes costly engine damage, you must have the belt replaced at the manufacturer recommended intervals as a matter of preventative maintenance. The replacement schedules vary between vehicle makes, models, and years. Generally, older vehicles require belt replacements around every 60K miles while newer vehicles are equipped with belts constructed from superior materials and usually last around 100K miles. Regardless of mileage, belts should be replaced at 6-8 year intervals due to dry rot.

Timing Kit Replacement

There are a few other engine and cooling system components which should be replaced at the same time as the timing belt. They are often sold together in a timing kit which includes the timing belt, tensioner, drive belts, crankshaft & camshaft oil seals, and the water pump. These components work in conjunction with and are located in the same general area as the timing belt. That means they can be replaced simultaneously with little to no extra labor. To replace them individually would be far less cost-effective. Replacing the entire kit also protects your new belt from being damaged if the other components fail. For example, if you get a water pump leak it can contaminate the belt and you will have to have it replaced again. Or, if the tensioner goes bad or locks up, the new belt will be broken.

Timing Belt Replacement Cost

To see an instant price estimate for timing belt replacement on your particular vehicle year make & model, see our repair cost estimator page. For an exact total, give us a call and speak with our friendly & knowledgeable ASE Certified Automotive Service Consultant. Timing belt replacements vary in price from around $600 to $1400, depending on the vehicle and what component replacements are included. While this is one of the most costly maintenance repairs, it is much more affordable than having to have a valve job or engine overhaul/replacement when the belt breaks.

In some makes and models such as Audis, BMWs, and quad cams, this belt is difficult to get to. Where the belt is located and what parts must be removed in order to reach it determines how labor intensive removal & replacement will be. This is one reason that the cost of timing belt replacement may differ greatly between different vehicles. If calling auto repair shops to compare quotes for replacement costs, be sure to ask about the quality of parts and if the price includes replacing the complete kit or just the belt. This is not a repair you want to have to repeat, so it pays to have it done right by a qualified mechanic.

What is a Timing Belt & What Does It Do?

The timing belt connects the two main engine shafts; the Camshaft and the Crankshaft. It controls the rotation of the two shafts (or" mechanical timing") to ensure that the movements of the engine valves and pistons inside the cylinders occur at the optimal timing. Intake valves over the engines combustion chambers open to let air in, then close while combustion occurs. After combustion occurs, the exhaust valves open to release the exhaust gasses. This process repeats itself several thousand times a minute. The function of the timing belt is to ensure these events happen perfectly in sync with one another. If the valves and pistons aren't precisely timed in conjunction with one another, the engine will malfunction or fail to work at all. It is designed with evenly spaced ridges, or "teeth". If one of these teeth breaks off it will lead to the timing belt slipping, which can cause the engine to misfire or stop.

Timing Chain Replacements

Timing Chain Replacement as Part of an Engine Rebuild by the Experienced Mechanics at Auto Service Experts

Timing chains serve the same basic function as belts but differ in a few important ways. The most obvious difference is the material they are made out of- timing chains are metal chains which resemble a bicycle chain. Many are designed to last as long as your vehicle, and typically do not require replacement. On some vehicles the manufacturer does recommend replacement at certain mileage intervals so if your car is getting up there in miles, it is a good idea to double check. Timing chains themselves do not usually break, but the guides may eventually wear out and need to be replaced. This usually does not occur until well over 150K miles. If you do need to have the guides replaced, you should consider replacing at least the tensioners and possibly the chain because it will not require any additional labor.

Timing Chain Failure

If the timing chain does break, it causes severe damage to the engine. When this occurs, the engine usually must be rebuilt or replaced. One common reason for a timing chain breaking or failing is not keeping up with regular oil changes. The chain must have the proper tension to maintain proper mechanical timing. This is accomplished by the tensioners, some of which are driven hydraulically by engine oil pressure. If the oil gets low or becomes contaminated and turns to "sludge", it cannot create sufficient hydraulic pressure to drive the tensioners. If the chain is too loose or too tight, mechanical timing will be off. This will result in poor engine performance at best, and a broken chain at worst.