Timing Belt
If your car has a timing belt, and most do, replacing it as required by your manufacturer is an absolute necessity. Typically this is every 70,000 miles or 110,000 km.
The timing belt is a simple rubber belt which keeps the top of the engine in time with the bottom of the engine. If it snaps the valves at the top of your engine can go crashing into the pistons and result in major engine damage typically costing €750 to €1,000 to repair.
Although the belt is a simple enough item, getting at it and replacing it correctly typically takes 4+ hours. In addition to replacing the belt, it is best practice to replace the parts that the belt relies on to do it's job. These typically are:
- Pully's - the timing belt rotates on a series of pully's
- Tensioner - these keep tension on the belt to ensure it stays on track
- Water pump - the timing belt is driven on the outside of the water pump, it is best practice to replace this as part of the process.
** If you are getting quotation for timing belt work, make sure changing of the relevant tensioners, pully's and water pump are included in the quotation.
At CarDock we replace timing belts on a regular basis and will be happy to give you a quotation for your car.
How Timing Belts Work
Timing belts are attached (often via the water pump) to the bottom of your engine where all the power is generated. The belt then connects to the top of the engine where it causes one set of valves to allow the fuel/air in and another set of valves to let the exhaust exit. In effect, as the core of the engine rotates it causes valves to open and close allowing fuel to enter and exhausts to leave.
When the belt breaks, the valves at the top of the engine operate out of time and go crashing into the pistons at the very heart of the engine. The repair work involved is very significant and definitely not worth contemplating.
CarDock replaced my timing belt, I dropped the car off that morning and they had it ready for me on my way home from work. I never realised that I needed to replace my timing belt and was glad they spotted the need to do it when I was having my annual service done - Michelle
What to look out for with your timing belt
Do I need a timing belt ?
Not necessarily, not all cars have a timing belt, some have a timing chain which does not need to be replaced. To find out about your car, contact CarDock and we will tell you. The vast majority of cars have a timing belt and it requires replacement at 70,000 miles or 110,000 km.
What is a timing belt kit and tensioners
The timing belt relies on tensioners to keep it taught and typically a timing belt is sold with the necessary kit including tensioners. In this way you can be assured the entire timing belt apparatus is new and correct.
Water Pump - Why replace it ?
Most timing belts are driven via the water pump and it is good practice to replace the water pump when you have gone through the work of stripping the engine down. It is not strictly necessary but given the importance of the overall timing belt operates, it is best not to cut corners.