Timing Belts and Chains

At Car Servicing and You, are fully equipped workshop in Carnegie, next to Caulfield and Malvern East, provides timing belt and timing chain repairs and replacement for all makes and models. All our car repairs come with a minimum 12 month/20000km warranty.

Some engines have a timing belt and some have a timing chain. Similar to drive belts, timing belts are made of rubber and require replacement at predetermined intervals. Manufacturers have different recommendations for timing belt replacement that vary anywhere from 60,000 kms to 180,000 km depending on the make and model of your car. Generally, around 100,000 kms or 6 years is the most common replacement interval. Your cars log book is the best guide to when timing belts should be replaced.

Timing chains are generally more durable and a well-serviced car can see a timing chain last the life of the engine. However, if you skip a service here and there or are late with your servicing, timing chain life can be shortened.

Timing belts and chains control the timing of the engine’s valves so that they open and close in sync with the engine’s pistons to inject fuel and air mixtures and remove exhaust gases. Your car may have one of two types of engines: interference and non-interference. The engine can be badly damaged and require costly repairs If a timing belt snaps or slips on an interference engine. The engine will cost less to repair if a timing belt snaps on a non-interference engine.

If you are replacing your timing belt, we recommend replacing all associated parts of the timing belt including:

• Water pump (where applicable)
• Idler pullies
• Hydraulic tensioners
• Tensioner pullies
• Oil seals in the timing belt area.

Timing belt failure can be due to the following common symptoms:

• Old age
• Oil Contamination
• Poor fitting such as either under or over tightening a replacement belt,
• Seized pulleys or water pump bearings
• Hydraulic tensioner failure