Deep inside your engine is a part that keeps everything moving in perfect rhythm. It’s called the timing belt or timing chain, depending on your car. It’s easy to forget about because you can’t see it and it doesn’t make noise when it’s healthy. Knowing which one your car has can save you from one of the most expensive repairs out there.
A timing belt is made of tough, reinforced rubber. It works great, but it wears out with age and mileage. Many manufacturers recommend replacing it somewhere around 90,000 to 105,000 miles, or after a set number of years, whichever comes first. Several popular Honda and Acura V6 models use a timing belt, so this is something we talk about with our customers often.
A timing chain is made of metal, a lot like a bicycle chain. It’s designed to last much longer, often the life of the engine, as long as the oil is changed on time. Dirty or low oil is the biggest enemy of a timing chain.
Why does this matter so much? On many engines, if a timing belt breaks while you’re driving, the engine stops immediately, and internal parts can collide with each other. That can turn a planned maintenance job into a major engine repair. Replacing the belt before it fails is far less expensive than dealing with the aftermath.
When we replace a timing belt, we often recommend replacing the water pump and tensioners at the same time. They sit in the same area, so doing them together saves you from paying for the same labor twice later on.
If you’re not sure which one your car has or when it was last replaced, give us your year, make and model and we’ll let you know. Call Reliable Automotive at (615) 472-1825 or stop by 112 Alpha Dr in Franklin, Monday through Friday from 7 to 5.
