Despite being a pivotal component of a vehicle’s engine, not many people are aware of how timing belts work and what to do if one breaks. Having a faulty timing belt can cause a lot of trouble for your vehicle’s engine and it is important to know what to do if one needs replacing. 

In this blog, we are going to look at what it is that the timing belt does, what to do if your timing belt breaks, and what an estimated cost for a fix would be.

What does a timing belt do?

The timing belt is a vital part of the mechanism that controls the valves and pistons in your engine.

When should I have the timing belt replaced?

Timing belts are made of rubber so they perish out over time.  Changing a timing belt is one of the more expensive maintenance items so many people will put it off, which can have pretty devastating consequences.

Timing belts are a serviceable item and should be changed as per the manufacturers’ service schedule, this is usually between 60,000 and 100,000 miles or 5 – 7 years.

How much does it cost to change a timing belt?

Timing belts in most vehicles are not easy to get at so the job is labour intensive.  The cost depends very much on the make and model of your vehicle and can cost anywhere from £280 to £1000 on average though the cost will be between £300 and £500.

It may not be cheap to replace the timing belt on your car but to be clear, the cost of not replacing it will be much higher. 

What damage can occur if my timing belt snapped?

This very much depends on the type of engine; however, a snapped timing belt can cause bent valves, cylinder head or camshaft damage and damage to the pistons and cylinder wall.

Contact FRM Automotive

If you are looking to replace your timing belt or are in need of any other vehicle servicing, get in touch with FRM Automotive today. Our garage is located towards the centre of Peterborough, meaning we are easily accessible.
We can answer questions about your specific vehicle and provide you with a quote. You can call us on 01733 333838, fill out our online contact form, or email [email protected].