G’s Car Care - Timing Belt

As a Car Service Manager, when a customer requests a quotation for Scheduled Timing Belt Replacement, it is irresponsible and unprofessional to exclude replacement of the Water Pump and other vital components at this opportune interval.

The Timing Belt in modern engines drives the Water Pump, so if the Water Pump fails, the Timing Belt can (and usually does), slip on the Camshaft Pulley, causing incorrect Valve Timing – or worse Timing Belt Failure.

The question then becomes: which came first – The Chicken or the Egg? If the Timing Belt in your car slips or breaks, it’s the first question you should consider. It is also worth remembering when your car’s Timing Belt Replacement Service comes due.

The usual interval for Timing Belt Replacement is between 90000kms and 140000kms (Check your Car Service Schedule), although if your car is driven irregularly, the Timing Belt can crack and deteriorate nonetheless, and should be checked regularly for wear, cracking and oil leak contamination.

There are 2 types of Timing Belt Engines – Interference and Non Interference. Failure of the Timing Belt in an Interference Engine results in Piston Meeting Valve – i.e. Catastrophic, Expensive Engine Failure, including Bent Cylinder Head Valves, whereas said Failure in a Non – Interference Motor will cause the engine to stall, but with far less damage. Either way, you’ll be stranded, and this should be avoided.

Excessive Heat is the main enemy of modern cars, so taking the opportunity to replace a central component of your car’s Cooling System (Water Pump) when Replacing your Car Timing Belt makes great sense – as a result, your Radiator Coolant will also be replaced, and hoses, Car Radiator and Radiator Hoses are checked during the process. There is very little extra labour required since the front of the Engine is already dismantled.

The Timing Belt Tensioners (usually Hydraulic), are also recommended for Replacement during this process – if a Tensioner fails or Leaks, the belt can Slip, Seize, Break or become slack, causing poor performance, vibration and loss of Fuel Economy.

Oil Seals at the front of the Camshaft and Crankshaft are also readily accessible in the course of a Timing Belt Service and should be replaced as a matter of course. Failure to replace these inexpensive Oil Seals can result in Engine Oil Contamination and subsequent Timing Belt Failure.

So, considering the above, when you ask us for a quote to Replace Your Timing Belt, keep in mind that others may hope you are ignorant of the consequences of not getting “The Proper Job” done. Demand your quote include:

  • Timing Belt Replacement (Genuine / OEM or Aftermarket)
  • Water Pump Replacement (Genuine / OEM or Aftermarket)
  • Timing Belt Tensioner(s)
  • Cam Shaft Seal
  • Crank Shaft Seal
  • Quality Engine Coolant / Corrosion Inhibitor.

CALL US TODAY : (02) 82 791 477