There are times when you should take your mechanic’s suggestions as exactly that — a suggestion. Then, you can choose on your own whether or not you have the funds to act on his advice and whether or not the repair is really important to you. For instance, a broken air conditioner won’t keep your car from running, but in exchange for not getting it fixed, you will be terribly hot in the summer. Still, it’s your preference.
Other times however, these suggestions should be taken more seriously. Because, if you choose to ignore the opinion of a mechanic such as Jeremy Wolfson of Benchmark Auto Services, you may in fact find yourself without a car. Once such instance is when you are told to get your timing belt replaced.
What is a timing belt?
The timing belt is, as it sounds, a flat, rubber belt placed on your engine that controls the timing of your engine’s intake and exhaust valves and pistons. It essentially keeps the whole engine running smoothly.
How do you know when it needs to be replaced?
There aren’t really clear signs that your timing belt needs to be changed. But as a general rule of thumb, your car’s manufacturer will outline at what mileage you should take your car into an auto repair shop for a replacement. Typically, this will be somewhere between 60,000 to 100,000 miles. If you’re unaware what the recommended lifespan for your car’s timing belt is, consult your mechanic. If he doesn’t know off the top of his head, he should be able to get the information quickly. When you are told that you need to replace the belt though, don’t wait, says Wolfson.
What happens if the timing belt breaks?
If the rubber becomes so worn that it tears or slips of its track, you can expect major damages, says Wolfson. If it slips, chances are that it will hit one of the pistons and either bend or break it, he adds. When this happens, it’s basically like your engine is self-destructing.
How much does it cost?
Depending on the type of car and engine you have, the exact cost will vary. Generally though, this is not a inexpensive project, but it is completely necessary. If you wait too long, and the belt breaks, you are going to be faced with the cost of replacing your engine or buying an entirely new car, which is bound to be much more expensive.
Luckily, even though the timing belt is so important, its failure is fairly easy to prevent. Unless some unforeseen circumstances lead to it breaking prematurely, if you follow the recommended replacement guidelines, then you don’t really have anything to worry about.
