At Cutting Edge, we are committed to delivering the best-advanced auto repair services that are overseen by our ASE-certified mechanic, service writer and manager with over 17 years of experience. And, when it comes to a faulty timing belt that can not only leave you stranded on the road but can also cause damage to your car’s cylinder head, getting quality repairs in a timely fashion is what our customers have come to depend on.
Cutting Edge Auto Care knows how important your car is to your family’s welfare and quality of life. When a car problem occurs, such as with a timing belt, it can be difficult to know which auto mechanic service you can trust to correctly diagnose the problem and confidently repair the timing belt issue.
Every automobile’s timing belt has a maintenance schedule and a manufacturer’s suggested interval to replace the timing belt. But it is the combination of time and mileage that really determines when your timing belt needs to be replaced to minimize any damage to your car’s engine.
Understanding Your Car’s Timing Belt
A timing belt is critical to the operation of your car’s internal combustion engine. The main job of a timing belt is to coordinate the motions between the camshaft (which controls the engine’s intake and exhaust valves) and the crankshaft (which converts the linear motion of the engine’s pistons into rotational force).
When your car’s timing belt goes bad or snaps, the engine may be unable to even start. If the car were to run with a bad timing belt, the resulting damage could be to the engine’s pistons, rods, and cylinders. This type of damage would mean the car’s engine would have to be rebuilt or replaced.
Even a timing belt that has stretched can damage your auto’s fuel injectors, cause the car to misfire, or cause poor driving performance. It is not advised to drive with a bad timing belt because the car’s performance is unreliable, and the car may be unsafe to drive until it’s resolved.
Why Your Timing Belt Might Be Failing
The first reason why a timing belt would start to wear out is because they are usually made of rubber. After years of hot and cold operating conditions, the outer surface of a rubber timing belt can develop minor cracks. This means it would need to be replaced more often. Many modern cars have timing belts constructed of reinforced polyurethane or neoprene with a fabric covering to add many more years of service.
Other reasons why a timing belt will fail is simply due to high mileage on the engine, where the timing belt has reached the end of its service life. Contamination from debris or leaking oil can also shorten the timing belt’s lifespan. All timing belts have a shelf life. It is possible that your car was equipped with a timing belt that had already been on the shelf for many years before being installed.
Signs of a Bad Timing Belt
If you suspect your car has a timing belt issue, it is best to bring the car into Cutting Edge Auto Care for an engine inspection. The following signs of a bad timing belt can be mistaken for other minor auto problems if not diagnosed correctly.
- A ticking or tapping sound while driving
- The car doesn’t start
- Visible wear and tear to the belt
- Decreased acceleration while driving
- Check that the engine light stays on
- Oil leaking from the front of the engine
- The car misfires while driving
A bad timing belt can leave you stranded on the roadway. The only way to prevent this problem is to pay attention to engine noises and to have your car regularly inspected by trained and experienced auto technicians. Rarely do timing belts fail unexpectedly or for no reason.
Our Comprehensive Timing Belt Services
Cutting Edge Auto Care is here to help make sure a faulty or broken timing belt doesn’t leave you stranded on busy roadways. We know the warning signs of a faulty timing belt, so we can help you prevent a timing belt failure from happening in the first place. Always follow the routine maintenance guidelines listed in your car’s owner’s manual, and change the timing belt at appropriate intervals.Visit Cutting Edge Auto Care, serving Clearfield, UT, and surrounding communities, on our website, or call us to schedule an inspection of your car’s engine and timing belt. We take pride in offering quality services at fair prices, with the hope of partnering with our customers throughout the life of their vehicle. We will be glad to discuss our industry-leading 5-year/50k mile nationwide warranty that is available for most repairs.
