Timing Belts

Many cars on the road today have a rubber belt that keeps the engine "synchronized." It's called the timing belt, because it keeps the engine internals in proper position, or timing. It fulfills the job of the timing chain and gears that some engines use. What it does is couples the engine crankshaft to the engine cam shaft. The crankshaft makes the pistons go up and down and the camshaft opens and closes the valves to let in fuel and let out exhaust. The timing belt keeps the pistons coming up and the valves opening and closing all at the right time.

This becomes very important when your vehicle has what is called an "interference" engine. What that means is there isn't enough room for the piston to be up and the valves to be open without catastrophic consequences. With today's high output engines, most engines are interference motors. It seems each manufacturer picks a different mileage interval for servicing the timing belt, and if you can't find it in the owner's manual just ask us. We will look it up for you.