Open Mon–Fri 8 AM–6 PM010 582 0520

Book service →

The timing belt is a part you don’t see and usually don’t hear. It spins inside the engine and keeps the crankshaft and camshaft in sync so that the valves open at exactly the right moment. If the belt snaps, the timing is lost while the engine is running. In many engines, the pistons then hit the valves, resulting in an engine overhaul that costs many times more than a belt replacement.

That is why the timing belt is one of the few parts that are replaced before any fault is visible.

When should the timing belt be replaced?

The replacement interval comes from the car manufacturer, and it varies a lot. For one car, the limit is 60,000 kilometers; for another, it’s 160,000. Almost always, there is also a time limit, such as five or ten years, because rubber ages even if the car isn’t driven. For a low-mileage second car, the time limit is often the one that gets forgotten.

You can find the correct interval in the service manual or the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule. If the service history is missing, we can look it up using the car’s details. It’s worth bringing up the replacement at the latest when the car is going in for scheduled maintenance: the limit is often close at that exact time.

Signs you shouldn’t ignore

Most often, the belt gives no warning. Sometimes, however, there are signs, and you should react to them immediately:

• Squealing, clicking, or grinding noises coming from the front of the engine that change with the RPM.
• The car starts poorly or runs unevenly.
• The check engine light on the dashboard comes on. The cause could be in the timing system, but just as easily somewhere else, and reading the fault codes will reveal it quickly.
• Coolant is dripping from under the engine. In many cars, the water pump is driven by the timing belt, and a leaking pump can ruin even a new belt.

Timing Belt or Timing Chain?

Not all cars have a belt. A timing chain is made of metal and designed to last a long time, often the entire lifespan of the car. It is still not eternal: the chain can stretch and the tensioners can wear out, and then the engine often starts to rattle during a cold start. Replacing a chain is usually a bigger job than a belt.

You cannot determine which one your car has based on the brand alone. Different engines from the same manufacturer can have either. The surest way is to check based on the engine code.

What happens during the replacement?

To reach the belt, a mechanic usually has to remove the serpentine belt, protective covers, and sometimes an engine mount. The old belt is removed, and the tensioner and idler pulleys are typically replaced at the same time because they have worn for just as long. With the new belt, the engine is timed according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and finally, everything is checked to ensure it rotates in sync.

The water pump is often replaced at the same time if it is driven by the belt. The pump is an inexpensive part compared to having to perform the same disassembly again a year later. We always ask about this before replacing anything extra.

How much does the replacement cost?

The honest answer: it depends on the car. In a small gasoline engine, the belt is easily accessible, and the job takes a few hours. In a transversely mounted V6 engine or a cramped engine bay, the same task can take a full day. That is why timing belt replacement is not listed with a fixed price in the booking system; instead, we provide an estimate based on the car model.

Compare that price to what a snapped belt can cost. Then it’s no longer about maintenance, but about the engine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Read also: Coolant · Why it pays to service your car regularly · Maintenance outside of authorized dealerships