A timing belt is designed to keep the camshaft belt and crankshaft of your car running smoothly so that the engine can achieve maximum efficiency. Located under a timing cover, this component is commonly made of high-quality rubber with nylon-reinforced cords inside that extends the life of the belt.
A timing belt is gradually exposed to wear and tear and needs to be replaced at regular intervals. If the timing belt stops functioning, your car will suddenly shut down while you are driving. If you don't replace a faulty belt, it can often lead to irreparable engine damage.
However, not all engines have a timing belt. It is commonly found in cars and SUVs with smaller displacement engines. When an engine has a larger bore and stroke, most automotive manufacturers use a timing chain system that replaces a rubber belt with a metal chain. Generally, timing chains are said to last longer than timing belts.
How long does a timing belt last in a car?
Based on the make and model of your car, the intervals may be different for when you need a replacement. Manufacturers often recommend a replacement approximately every 100,000 km. But it can vary between as much as 40,000 to 150,000 km.
To find out the expected lifespan of the camshaft belt in your car, you can check the owner’s manual, or the car service schedule of your vehicle online.
You can book our mobile mechanics for car repairs and car services all across Australia including Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide. Whether you own a Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Nissan or Subaru, we have the solution to all your car problems. Booking our on-site service will not just save you time but also prevent unnecessary travel to and from the workshop. With our mechanics working at your location, you can see what work is being done on your car.
Any repair or replacement work done by our mechanics are covered under a 12 month/20,000 km nationwide warranty.
When to replace a timing belt?
It’s strongly recommended to replace a timing belt regularly. You should have the belt checked during your car service. There are also some warning signs you can look out for, that will help identify problems with your vehicle.
If it’s still a while for a scheduled replacement but you notice any of the following symptoms, you should have an auto mechanic look at it right away.
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Leaking oil seals
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There
are worn ribs or edges
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Worn guides or noise from the engine
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Excessive
noise from the belt or tensioner
How much does a timing belt cost to replace?
For your convenience, Lube Mobile’s qualified technicians come to your preferred location on time and fully equipped to perform a fast and efficient timing belt replacement. Every technician has the expert knowledge and tools to finish your job on time and budget.
It’s easy to make a booking for a car service online, and you will be given an arrival time and place within a few minutes. All you need to do is to provide information about your vehicle’s make, age, and model.
As the timing belt is located inside the engine, it may not be possible to provide an exact repair cost until after the transmission belt, oil seals, tensioner, water pump, and guides have been inspected by the mechanic for damage.
The size of the timing belt will also affect the price. They come in 9 standard sizes, which have a variety of different widths and lengths.
At Lube Mobile, the mechanic will show you an itemised quote of the work required and associated costs before commencing work on your vehicle. This will enable you to take control of the cost and help you decide if repairing a part or replacing it altogether will prove a cost-effective move in the long run.
A mobile mechanic will:
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Strip the engine and engine valves
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Perform an inspection of the condition of the belt tensioner
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Inspect
the water pump, pulleys, and seals
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Change
the belt or kit
(tensioner, pulleys, seals, gaskets. If changing the water Pump is required, this may incur an extra charge.)
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Reinstall
the removed components
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Set
the valve/camshaft belt timing
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Perform a full road test to ensure all safety requirements are met
At the time of inspection, ask your mechanic to check some other crucial parts as well such as the harmonic balancer, fan & serpentine belt, tensioner & idler pulley, timing chain and timing cover oil seal. If any of these parts are worn out and you still install a new timing belt, their reduced capacity to function will eventually cause your timing belt to fail in a very short time. It is thus beneficial to replace the entire timing belt kit and not just the belt itself.
At Lube Mobile, we only use the best quality parts and spares, which includes fluids and oils, for your complete peace of mind. By coming to you within a specified window of time, we offer you the convenience of knowing exactly when your vehicle will be serviced and be back on the road. So, if you’ve been facing issues with your car’s timing belt lately, call us and our mechanics will arrive at your door fully equipped to carry out services and repairs on the spot.
Components we can repair or replace:
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