With timing belts, it抯 all in the name. A timing belt keeps your vehicles valves, pistons, camshafts and
crankshaft all rotating in synchronicity. This belt controls when the camshaft(s) opens & closes the intake & exhaust
valves. It also controls the crankshaft, which moves the pistons up and down inside the engine cylinders.
Does My Vehicle Have a Timing Belt?
Timing belts are common. With that being said, there is no hard, fast rule about
which cars or light trucks have timing belts and which ones have a timing chain. Your best bet is to look it up in your
vehicles owner抯 manual
or contact us at Jimyz Automotive in Streetsboro Ohio and we will assist you with particulars about your car or light
truck.
Do I Need to Replace my Timing Belt?
Over time and miles (approx. 90,000 miles), timing belts become worn, and this isn抰 something you want to take for
granted.
There are few, but not many, warning signs before a timing belt breaks, and if it does, your vehicle will stall-out
immediately and come to a halt, breaking down wherever you happen to be. This means a call to a towing service and an
unexpected auto service bill梐nd that is the best-case scenario.
Worst case scenario: Your internal engine parts collide, the engine seizes, and you抮e left with a repair
service that can easily add
up to $2,000 or more. (Watch this video to see what happens when the engine seizes)
Timing Belt Video - the Forgotten Belt. This video illustrates the importance of
knowing and following the manufacturers
recommended replacement interval for a timing belt. Along with recommendations to replace the "hardware" associated
with the Timing Belt (Water Pump, Idler Pulleys and Tensioner) at the same time when the Timing Belt is being replaced. To
find out more info on our recommended Timing Belts, Timing Belt Kit, Water Pump Kit, and Timing Component Kit,
contact Jimyz Automotive.
When to Replace Timing Belt?
Timing belts are almost impossible to inspect visually, and they don't show signs of stressing, cracking and/or wearing. The best
rule of thumb is to replace the timing belt according to your car or light trucks factory-recommended maintenance schedule.
Automobile manufacturers recommend replacing your timing belt somewhere around 1000,000miles. Your vehicles owner抯 manual will tell you what
their recommendation is for your vehicle. You might also look up the timing belt replacement interval online (such as at: www.MyTimingBelt.com). If you抮e not sure, ask
Jimyz Automotive in Streetsboro Ohio, and we抣l assist you on finding the info based on your vehicles year and engine
size.
Even though replacing the timing belt typically costs several hundred dollars or even just over one-thousand dollars, it pales in comparison to the expense
and inconvenience of a broken timing belt. Do yourself a favor and plan ahead for this very important automotive service requirement.
When is your timing belt due?
When it comes to servicing your car or light truck, timing belt replacement is without doubt the most important
serviceable component of a car抯 engine. The timing belt has an incredibly important job controlling the camshafts in
the engine and keeps it running smoothly, if left unchanged and it breaks, it can be of great expense.
It is important that you know the replacement interval of your timing belt and going over the manufacturers?
recommendation. A slipped or broken belt, may require a completely new engine or an engine re-build costing
hundreds if not thousands of dollars.
What Else Should Be Done at the Same Time?
In most cases, several other items need to be addressed at the same time as the timing belt. Even though it adds more
to the cost now, it will save you in the long run. These additional items include: ● Replacing the water pump.
● Replacing the drive belts (a.k.a. accessory or serpentine belts).
● Inspecting the timing belt tensioner.
● Inspection the timing belt idler pulley(s).
The right time to replace timing belts.
Timing belts are considered wear items and should be checked according to the manufacturer抯 recommended service
schedule.
Most manufacturers suggest replacing the belt between 60,000 to 105,000 miles. Check your owner抯 manual or
ask a Jimyz Automotive Service Technician about the specific schedule for your vehicle. A broken timing belt will stop your
car卛nstantly. It can also result in costly engine damage and inconvenience.
Free-Running or Interference Engine?
An engine is either 搃nterference?or 揻ree-running?depending on its design. If the timing belt breaks in an
interference engine, an open valve may be struck by a moving piston. This can result in serious damage and expensive
repairs, and in some cases a new engine.
A 揻ree-running?engine design will not result in extensive engine damages should the timing belt fail. The motorist
will still have to deal with the inconvenience of being stranded, towing expense, and the cost of timing belt
replacement.
Tensioners and idlers are critical components that work hand in hand with the timing belt.
Tensioners and idlers work together to keep the timing belt properly tensioned. The timing belt system uses idlers
and/or pulleys to either change the direction of the belt or transmit power to a component such as a water pump or oil
pump.
Why replace tensioners and idlers?
Worn tensioners or idler pulley bearings are the leading causes of timing belt failures. Like timing belts, tensioners
and idlers wear out. They need to be replaced before they fail.
The right time to replace tensioners and idlers.
Tensioner and idler wear is difficult to detect.
Many tensioners that look okay may be at or near the end of their
service life. In some cases, the newly installed timing belt may fail after a few thousand miles if the tensioner or
idler is worn or loose.
Should timing belt driven water pumps be replaced?
You can save considerable expense by replacing your already high mileage water pump at the same time you have the
timing belt replaced. In both cases the labor cost is a large part of the expense and the labor procedures are
basically the same. Doing everything at the same time will result in big long term cost savings. Ask a Jimyz
Automotive service
advisors to explain the
components involved with your particular make and model.
Save money by asking for a timing system replacement.
When you replace your timing belt have your tensioner, idler and water pump changed at the same time because the
additional cost is insignificant compared to the cost of accessing the timing belt. Your service technician can do it
right the first time because he doesn抰 have to re-do all the labor again to replace the tensioner, idler and water
pump. Your new timing belt will be protected from damage caused by failure of these parts.
Ask your service technician to note
recommended Timing System replacement date
System may fail sooner, or last longer, depending on a
variety of factors, including operating temperatures, load, engine rpm and
other environmental factors. Smaller engine compartments create excessive
heat and put more stress on belts and components.
Change your Timing Belt at the
Manufacturers recommended interval.
Cylinder head, valve train and piston damage due to lack of
timing drive system maintenance (see images on right).
Why Choose Express Tire for Your Timing Belt Replacement?
When your vehicle is due for a new timing belt, Jimyz Automotive of Streetsboro Ohio offers everything you抮e looking for and more:
● Competence: Our certified ASE-Master Automotive Technicians are among the best of the best. They are an amazing
powerhouse of skill who expertly manage every auto repair or diagnostic challenge we send their way.
● Peace of Mind: We stand behind all of our repairs ask us about our warranty.
● Time Savings: We offer free loaner cars and a free shuttle service.
● Accuracy: The final bill will never be more than what we quoted you.
Jimyz Automotive is a friendly, family-owned business that抯 been serving Streetsboro, Ohio and surrounding
communities.
Timing belt replacement: Avoid a breakdown in Streetsboro Ohio
For many of us, replacing our vehicle抯 timing belt isn抰 a top-of-mind activity. But knowing when this critical
engine part needs to be replaced can save you hundreds of dollars and a sudden, aggravating breakdown.
Here抯 why?/font>
When it comes to timing belts, it抯 all in the name. The timing belt keeps your car抯 valves, pistons, camshafts and
crankshaft all rotating in sync. This belt controls when the camshaft(s) opens and closes the intake and exhaust
valves, and it controls the crankshaft, which moves the pistons up and down inside the engine cylinders.
Over time and miles, timing belts become worn and they need to be replaced as part of your vehicle抯 preventive
maintenance schedule. This is not something you want to gamble with.
There are few, if any, warning signs before a timing belt snaps, and if it does, your car will stall immediately and
come to a stop wherever you happen to be. This means a call to a tow truck and an unexpected auto repair bill梐nd this
is the best-case scenario.
Worst case: Your engine pistons and valves collide, leaving you with internal engine damage, anything from bent valves
to a broken piston. In some cases, the valves can snap and damage the cylinder head as well. Often, the full extent of
the damage isn抰 even known until your technician disassembles the top part of the engine, removing the valve cover(s)
and sometimes the cylinder head. This spells a repair that can easily hit the $2,000 and up range.
So when do you replace your timing belt? Manufacturers typically recommend a new timing belt at 90,000 or 105,000
miles. Your owner抯 manual will tell you what is recommended for your vehicle. If you抮e not sure, ask us and we抣l be
happy to help provide the information.
It抯 also important to note that, unlike serpentine or accessory belts, timing belts are nearly impossible to visually
inspect. They do not show signs of cracking and wearing the same way accessory belts do, and they抮e usually buried
under a number of plastic engine shields and other components. The best insurance is to replace the timing belt
according to your vehicle抯 factory-recommended maintenance schedule.
When replacing your timing belt, it抯 also smart money to replace the water pump at the same time. A water pump抯
normal life span may not be much more than 100,000 miles, and the water pump is usually located behind or beside the
timing belt. In those cases, it doesn抰 cost that much more to replace the water pump when you抮e already removing all
the components required to access and replace the timing belt. If you replace the timing belt at 90,000 miles, you do
not want to essentially do the same repair again in 10k or 20k ?this time to replace the water pump. It抯 much easier
on the wallet to do both at once. The same is true for the timing belt tensioner ?it should be inspected for wear and
replaced if needed.
Can you hear the dollar signs adding up as you read this? Even though replacing the timing belt at the specified
mileage typically costs several hundred dollars, it pales in comparison to the expense and inconvenience of a broken
timing belt. Do yourself a favor and plan ahead for this auto service requirement. And if you have questions or need
to buy some time, talk to us. We抮e here to help! Schedule an appointment now.
Business
Hours: Monday -thru- Friday: 8:00am-5:00pm
(Closed Saturday & sundays)
Jimyz Automotive
Repair Shop for Cars and Light Trucks in Streetsboro Ohio, is located directly across the street from the New
Streetsboro High School on Rt.-14. Jimyz proudly serves Akron, Aurora, Cuyahoga Falls, Garrettsville, Hiram,
Hudson, Kent, Mantua, Portage County, Ravenna, Streetsboro, Twinsburg and surrounding communities.
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