Timing Belt Replacement Cost

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Unless you own a Yugo, you probably already realize that your car&#;s engine is a meticulously designed and engineered hunk of metal. Even so, you may not know that if one part of the engine fails, it can take several others to the grave with it. Such is the case with your engine&#;s timing belt. 

Many newer vehicles have timing chains, which don&#;t have to be replaced or serviced nearly as often, but there are still plenty of new vehicles with timing belts on the road. When it&#;s time for a timing belt service, it&#;s not something you can put off. If your timing belt breaks or fails, the collateral damage can add up to thousands of dollars in repairs.

The big thing here is that replacing your own timing belt is a time consuming and highly skilled repair job that we won&#;t encourage you to do. It&#;s best to get your vehicle to a shop as soon as possible. We&#;re not trying to frighten you. This isn&#;t Scared Straight. All The Drive is trying to do is help you understand the importance of keeping up with timing belt service, though. Let&#;s get into the details to find out what can happen and how to fix it.

Timing belts are an important part of all sorts of engines., Depositphotos

What Will Happen If The Timing Belt Breaks? 

In short, bad things will happen if your timing belt breaks. The belt keeps the crankshaft and the camshaft in sync with each other. This helps the combustion sequence happen at the exact right time to keep the engine running. If the timing belt breaks or fails, your car&#;s timing could become misaligned and the valves might not open at the right time. Further issues arise if the air and fuel mixture aren&#;t ignited at the right time, which causes misfires, loss of performance, and more.

If that wasn&#;t bad enough, a common issue that arises with timing belt problems is that the valves can become bent. There could also be damage to the cylinder head and camshaft. Not good.

Regular maintenance can prevent big headaches., Depositphotos

Symptoms of a Bad Timing Belt

We&#;re not going to teach you how to replace a timing belt. That would take longer than anyone wants to spend reading. We can, however, give you our pro tips on when to know it&#;s time to replace a timing belt. Any of the items below can mean it&#;s time for a timing belt service.

• Do you hear a funny sound? Ticking, squealing, and other knocking sounds should be checked immediately
• Has your engine started leaking oil all of a sudden?
• Do you notice a vibration or shaking sensation out of the blue?
• Has your car&#;s engine been lethargic and much less powerful than it was before?
• Do you have trouble starting the vehicle or keeping it cool when it&#;s running?

Timing Belt Safety

We&#;re hoping you&#;re taking your car to a shop for timing belt service, but even if you&#;re just looking around under the hood, you need to be safe about it.

• Don&#;t start grabbing random parts under the hood, especially if you&#;ve just finished driving it. Engines and engine components can get extremely hot.
• Don&#;t wear loose-fitting clothing or dangling jewelry when working under a hood. Not only can you damage your trinkets, getting caught in a spinning belt or gear can cause some nasty injuries.
• It&#;s a good idea to wear gloves and eye protection, especially when working on older cars. You never know when something will break and send shrapnel flying.

A broken timing belt can result in serious maintenance bills., Depositphotos

How Much Does It Cost To Replace Timing Belt?

Depending on your vehicle, a timing belt service could turn into a big deal and it&#;s going to be costly. Having a timing belt replaced before it breaks will cost between $500 and $1,000 on average while waiting for it to break before replacing can cost upward of $2,000 or more. Especially, if there&#;s other damage that occurred in the process.

Can You Drive With A Bad Timing Belt?

No, you cannot. We could really stop right there, but it&#;s probably best to elaborate a bit. If you suspect the timing belt is bad and you keep driving, you&#;re looking at the potential for bent valves, damage to the cylinder head and camshaft, and the potential for other internal engine damage. The costs can add up quickly.

Get Help With Signs of a Bad Timing Belt From Mechanic On JustAnswers 

The Drive recognizes that while our How-To guides are detailed and easily followed, a rusty bolt, an engine component not in the correct position, or oil leaking everywhere can derail a project. That&#;s why we&#;ve partnered with JustAnswers, which connects you to certified mechanics around the globe, to get you through even the toughest jobs. 

So if you have a question or are stuck, click here and talk to a mechanic near you. 

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The best gifts for gearheads are the ones that help them get it done. Not sure where to start? We&#;re happy to get you in the know on how to knock car lovers off their feet this holiday season.

SEE GIFT GUIDES

 

Car ownership is funny. You buy it brand-new, but over time, you'll have to replace some parts sooner or later to keep it running smoothly and to keep you safe. Your timing belt is no exception. It might be an oversized rubber band, but the average timing belt replacement cost is between $500+ to $1,000+.

Timing belts are an integral part of an internal combustion engine, and failing to replace them regularly can significantly damage your car. Replacing a timing belt is labour-intensive and time-consuming, so it's a job best left to professional mechanics.

Timing belt replacement costs for different vehicles

Timing belt replacement costs in Australia will vary depending on the make and model of your car. Here's a table showing how much it costs to replace timing belts for various vehicles:

Vehicle make/model

Timing belt replacement cost

Honda Barina

$245-$1,013+

Mitsubishi 380

$795-$1,445+

Volkswagen Crafter

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

$930-$1,050+

Ford Ranger

$186+

Holden Captiva

$435-$1,104+

Mitsubishi Magna

$424-$1,278+

Differentiating timing belts and timing chains

They serve the same purpose but are made from different materials. Timing belts are made of rubber, while timing chains are made of metal. Your vehicle will only have one or the other, but not both. Timing belts and timing chains control and synchronise the rotation of your engines' crankshaft and camshaft, making your engine valves open and close at the right time. 

Like every piece of machinery, your timing belt or chain isn't immune to wear and tear. Failing to replace this might cause it to break or snap, eventually resulting in serious engine damage. Being forced to replace your car or overhauling your engine would set you back way more than it would cost you to replace your timing belt.

How long will a timing belt last, and when should you replace it?

It depends on your vehicle manufacturer, so it's best to always refer to your owner's manual. On average, a timing belt will last 60,000 km to 80,000 km or about 7 to 10 years. 

Your timing belt should be changed within the mentioned odometer reading or timeframe. Ideally, whichever comes first. If your car uses a timing chain, it could last as long as the vehicle itself as long as you change your oil and filter regularly. 

Are there warning signs before a timing belt breaks?

Driving habits and road or weather conditions can accelerate the wear and tear on your timing belt. This might result in you needing a timing belt replacement service sooner rather than later. Here are a few signs to look out for:

1. The engine is shaking and idling roughly.

2. You can hear a rattling noise, and the engine sounds choppy.

3. The engine bay smells like burning rubber.

4. You feel the engine working harder than usual.

5. Your car won't start.

Though these indicate a faulty timing belt, it could also be a different issue altogether. Once you encounter any of them, take your car to a nearby mechanic to run a car diagnostic test and find the root of the problem.

What factors affect the cost of timing belt replacement?

Price of parts

The estimates listed above reflect timing belt service fees, excluding parts. The price of parts will directly impact the cost of replacing a timing belt. 

Emergency services

Generally, an emergency or urgent appointment will cost more than a regular one. For emergency services and mobile mechanics, the distance and time it takes for your mechanic to reach your destination, plus the hourly rate for mobile mechanical services, is factored into the costs. Weekend and holiday rates can drive up timing belt replacement prices.

You might also like: Mobile Mechanic Cost Guide

Additional issues or replacement parts

Your expenses will increase if your mechanic finds additional damage or unexpected issues caused by a faulty or damaged timing belt. Timing belts almost always need replacement due to high mileage. 

By the time you need to replace it, other nearby components must also be changed. Most mechanics will recommend replacing your water pump alongside your timing belt. Be sure to factor the timing belt and water pump replacement costs into your budget. 

Post a task for timing belt replacement

You don't have to look far to find a skilled mechanic when you need timing belt replacement services. Through Airtasker, you can find a reliable professional near you, thanks to its transparent rating and review system. 

After logging in, indicate the mileage on your odometer, the make and model of your car, and your preferred date and time. There's no need to rely on referrals or go to an overpriced dealership to replace your timing belt. You'll soon discover how convenient it is to work with a skilled mechanic who's right for you and your budget.

For more information, please visit Audi Timing Belt Replacement.