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A timing belt failure will cause your engine to shut down. (Photo by Eldon Lindsay)
The timing belt is an often overlooked part of the car but it plays an important role.
If an auto mechanic told you that your car’s timing belt needed immediate replacement and it was going to cost more than $1,000, you might assume it’s a scam.
But unlike the shady mechanic who attempts to change your engine air filter every oil change, replacing the timing belt is absolutely crucial.
The timing belt is an integral part of your engine and, if it fails, so does your engine, causing your car to shut down.
“You don’t want to be driving 75 miles per hour on the highway if it broke,” says Carl Roberson, owner of highly rated Carl’s Cool Cars in Las Vegas. “It’s definitely a safety issue.”
How the timing belt works
The rubber timing belt is part of most internal combustion engines and is responsible for synchronizing the engine’s functions. It controls the rotation of the camshaft and crankshaft and the opening and closing of the engine’s many valves to allow air and gas in and out, which causes the fuel to ignite in the combustion chamber. During this explosion, the valves push the pistons down.
“In order for the process to take place, the valves have to open and close at the right time,” Roberson says. “The valves have to be in the correct position as well as the pistons. The valves open at different times for each cylinder. It’s a mechanical ballet of sorts.”
When the timing belt breaks, the valves, which are very light, will open at the wrong time and hit the larger pistons and cause damage.
When to replace the timing belt?
Unfortunately, in most cases, there are no obvious signs the timing belt is near death; it will just break. That’s why highly rated auto mechanics recommend replacing it every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Always check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Timing belts used to be a relatively ignored maintenance item by many drivers. Roberson says replacing a broken timing belt used to be common, but now he says most replacement jobs are for preventive maintenance.
“People are a lot more aware of the timing belt, and the mechanics are educating drivers more about them,” Roberson says. “Now, more people know about it and what can happen when it breaks.”
Timing belt replacement cost
Replacing a timing belt for preventive reasons typically costs $500 to $900. However, replacing a broken timing belt may cost up to $2,000 or more if it caused damage to the valves, pistons or water pump.
“In some cases, you may have a very expensive repair and you have to buy a new car,” says Kathy Wallace, owner of highly rated Central Garage Company in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. “You’ll have to rent a car, and it can put you in a very stressful situation.”
For more information, please visit the Angie's List Guide to Auto Service and Maintenance.
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The timing belt is responsible for making sure the engine's valves open and close at the right points in the combustion cycle. If that part fails, bad things can happen, hence Honda and Acura's latest recall.
![Y Timing Belt Y Timing Belt](/uploads/1/2/5/6/125638435/806019941.jpg)
Honda and Acura have issued a recall for approximately 94,000 sedans, SUVs, trucks and minivans. The affected vehicles include the 2018-2019 Acura MDX, 2019 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid, 2019 Acura TLX, 2019 Honda Odyssey, 2018-2019 Honda Pilot and 2019 Honda Ridgeline. Each vehicle on the list carries its own specific range of build dates, which can be found in NHTSA's recall report.
The problem stems from the timing belt. Specifically, the teeth on certain belts might separate, preventing the belt from functioning as it should. If the belt fails in this manner, it might affect engine timing, resulting in possible engine damage and possible engine stalls, the latter of which can increase the risk of a crash when the vehicle is in motion. Honda's belt supplier ran some tests and discovered that a specific production mold did not allow the rubber belt to vulcanize and harden as it should, which created the problem now facing these vehicles.
Thus far, Honda has received 15 warranty claims related to the timing belt issue. Thankfully, it has received no reports of crashes or injuries.
The remedy is pretty straightforward, like most recalls. Honda and Acura technicians will inspect the recalled vehicles at dealerships and, if necessary, replace the timing belt. They'll also inspect the engine for damage and replace any affected parts. Anyone who paid to have this problem fixed before the recall was announced will be reimbursed. Owners should expect to receive recall notifications in the mail in June.