Timing belt - Maintenance/Repairs - Car Talk Community

The timing belt is made of a reinforced rubber and the rubber deteriorates with time. generally there is a 7 to 8 year life of the belt even if the car doesn’t accumulate a lot of miles so it should be changed.

Link to SBT

If the timing belt drives the water pump, it should be changed at the same time. They may also recommend replacing some oil seas while they are in there, but this should be done as a package deal and should not add more than $100 to the total bill. Well worth doing as doing them later will cost a LOT more.

It doesn’t have to be done by the dealer. You should get a quote from the dealer, but also any independent mechanics that you get recommendations for. Check with your friends, family and co-workers for recommendations.

Auto repair is a business transaction. You made a good business decision by coming here for a second opinion. Treat the rest of the repair as a business transaction and you will do good. Be sure that each quote you get includes the same things. I.e. a quote might be $10 less, but didn’t include the oil seals etc. Some mechanics will also recommend replacing the tensioner but I don’t think you will need that.

Heat over time and mileage for the most part wear out a belt although a well used belt appears almost like new in my experience with a VW. Some will say ozone in the air does too but may not be a major factor especially away from an urban area. Weather and road conditions have nothing to do with timing belt life. If you live in a northern climate such as Canada as compared to Mexico City and if your miles were mostly highway miles then the heat factor could be discounted some and you could run another year or more before changing the belt. Slow speed city miles will keep the belt hot for a longer time than 23k highway miles at a higher speed with consequently more deterioration.

There is no definitive answer to your question as timing belts can fail randomly. An auto mfr will recommend a belt change at a mileage and time before any normally anticipated failure plus some safety margin.

If you change the belt now, then motor on knowing that you did the best you know how assuming a competent mechanic did the work. By the time you need a second belt, the car might be gone. Changing the belt on time helps to ensure that you will not risk losing your engine or risk an engine stoppage away from home.

Timing belts seem to be going away as people are catching on to the expense of changing one if they can’t DIY.

Disclaimer: This info is for the site regulars and resident gear heads. I would NEVER tell “Non Familiars” to follow my lead, but…here goes…

Most of my experience seems at severe odds with the life span of a T-Belt. Ive seen cars with 50K on the clock sit unused for almost a decade…be started up and driven 100K over the next 10yrs with no T-Belt change ( I forced them to change it).

Almost everything I have ever seen goes against the claims of how long or how far the belt can go… Have I seen belts fail? Boy Howdy have I ever! Some throw teeth some fray but MOST die from some other driven device…like a water pump, Idler or tensioner going bad or not being adjusted…which is fine reason for me to refresh the belt and ancillaries. For me personally…I usually adhere to a schedule of about 80-100K to do the belt…no matter how much time has past to accrue the miles because it is ALWAYS longer than is supposedly safe to do so…Always. Never had a failure, not a one. Not even a hint of a failure.

Most of you know me to be very adamant about people changing their belts esp when they dont know the history of the vehicle…and I’m a big proponent of this. But on my own vehicles…I guess I like to play around…and the way I “play” is to change it on a mileage mark and ignore the time it takes to reach those miles. Its been working like clockwork thus far. I accept and can handle the risks. It would be irresponsible to tell someone else to do this however. I’m just relaying what I have been doing…I can handle the risk myself.

That being said…the T Belt is driving your valve train…a very expensive part of your engine and the risks involved outweigh the expense of replacement in my and most peoples estimation…its cheap insurance from catastrophic engine damage. No mechanic would tell a “Non Familiar” to be risky in any way with their vehicles T belt schedule for it surely wouldn’t pan out well…and would make you look like an Ass in due time.

How do you explain to someone you told that it was OK to drive and their T belt snapped…but it snapped because they were running 90% water in the cooling system…and the water pump failed…and took out the T belt. Few would be able to understand the distinction…because in the end the T belt died…but was it the T belts “fault”? No…but this is beside the point. Get me? Sometimes I suggest a T belt swap because of the ancillaries are making noise etc…

But I think the current thinking about the belts integrity…especially Time…are very under rated…and this is honestly the safe bet to place. Its all about liability. But those belts are pretty damn tough.

What is my point? I guess I am saying that I PERSONALLY only adhere to a mileage marker…not time. T belts do not seem to grenade on a Timer. Tho I will not argue with anyone who asks me to swap the belt due to time…I’m not stupid…that’s EZ money. I wont argue the logic of either argument. But for me, personally? Its miles…not time. Again…Liability.

Blackbird

“Maybe yes, maybe no.
Many car dealers are extremely price-competitive when it comes to timing belt jobs, and some (Honda dealers come to mind) can be cheaper than indy mechanics.”

Want more information on Automotive Timing Belts? Feel free to contact us.

Additional resources:
Why Choose an Electric Tonneau Cover for Your Truck? - ArticleBiz

I agree and also would point out that dealers tend to have more experience changing timing belts on a particular make/model…

AND

… the dealer service areas probably have any “Special Tools” that make the job easier and more likely to be done better and requiring less time for a technician (although paid by the job, not by actual time required). A happy mechanic does a better, more thorough job, generally job.

I put a timing belt on my DOHC 3.5L Chrysler V-6 engine. I ordered a couple of special tools and made another one prior to beginning the job. I don’t even think I could have done it properly without them or if I did it would have been difficult and I wouldn’t be as confident in the job.

Because this job could be a “cake walk” for a dealer technician (for reasons given above) the price for the job could be very competitive or even lower than at an independent shop as pointed out by @VDCdriver.

Get estimates at a dealer and at a good independent shop and compare, but be sure the same parts are being included in the timing belt swap (belt, water pump, pulleys, seals, etcetera).

CSA

What is a timing belt?

A timing belt is a rubber belt with teeth located inside of the engine and needs to be lubricated by the oil in the engine, making oil maintenance important as well. Every time you use the engine, the timing chain is in use.

My car has a timing chain, is that the same as a timing belt?

If your car has a timing chain instead of a timing belt, a timing chain will rarely need to be replaced. If you don’t know what your car has, you can find all this information in the owner’s manual or just ask a mechanic.

What does a timing chain do?

A timing belt synchronises the rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft ensuring the proper timing and allows the engine’s valves to open and close during each cylinder’s firing.

What causes a timing belt to break or wear?

Over time, your timing belt will stretch due to internal component wear. The chain’s tensioner or guides connected to the chain may wear out also, causing the belt to fail completely.

When does a timing belt need to be replaced?

The recommended time for a timing belt replacement is anywhere between 70,000 to 100,000 miles unless a specific problem arises. Timing belt issues are common in higher mileage vehicles.

Why is my timing chain making noise?

Timing belt noises are very noticeable during start-up when oil pressure and flow is at its lowest. Excess slack on a timing belt will cause a rattling nose or even a clanking noise depending on how severe the slack. If the timing belt wear is great enough so the hydraulic timing belt tensioner cannot compensate for the slack, the noise will continue after starting up.

Why can’t I inspect my timing belt to see if it needs to be replaced?

Most timing belts will be hidden behind covers and engine parts, and because of this, it’s hard to perform a visual inspection of your timing belt.

What happens if my car’s timing belt breaks or fails?

When a timing belt breaks or fails, the engine will not start or run, and the car needs to go in for repair. In most cases, major engine damage occurs due to the pistons not coming into contact with the valves.

How much does it cost to replace a timing belt?

The average cost of timing belt replacement can be anywhere from £300 - £500, but the price will all depend on if the belt has caused any other damage and the make, age and model of your car.

Why is it expensive to replace a timing belt?

Timing belts aren’t easily accessible, which makes for an intensive labour job. When it’s time to replace your timing belt, you may need to consider replacing additional parts such as the tensioner, idler arm and water pump as these are also difficult to access. Replacing your timing belt is a lot less expensive than replacing an engine that is damaged because of a broken timing belt.

Timing belt replacement near me

If you have been experiencing issues with your timing belt and need to have it replaced, you can get quotes from local mechanics in your area with MyCarNeedsA.com!

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Audi Timing Belt Replacement. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.