Is a timing belt replacement a necessary repair?

Paying for auto repairs is never enjoyable. We get that - no one wants to shell out to fix something, especially as repairs can sometimes be on the pricey side. However, oftentimes when you put a repair off because you don't want to pay for it you can end up having to pay even MORE when that small repair breaks a lot of other things. A part that's notorious for this is your car's timing belt. Today our Charlotte auto service techs are here to talk to you about the timing belt, why it's important, and why you should never, ever delay getting it fixed.

Toyota of N Charlotte explains the timing belt

What is your timing belt? Basically, this auto part regulates the timing of everything under the hood. More specifically, it synchronizes the rotations of the crankshaft and camshaft so that your engine's valves can open and close at the right time. So you can imagine that when it breaks, it can be bad news for everything under the hood. Not only will you be out of a car for some time, but you also may have to shell out big bucks to have things fixed and get back out on the road.

To be more specific, if your timing belt breaks and you have a best-case scenario, your car will stall out and you'll need to replace the belt before you can go anywhere. Worst case scenario, the belt breaks and does serious damage to the valves, pistons, cylinder head, and engine block (which means big money in repairs and some major time in the shop). Either way, it's a major inconvenience to you and means more money that you'd have to pay if you had just replaced it in the first place.

Unfortunately, you WILL have to replace your car's timing belt at some point in the future. No matter how well you care for your ride, wear and tear will eventually wear the belt down, as will oil residue and debris in the engine. It can be expensive, too - it requires a lot of labor to remove the old belt, install the new one, and ensure that the new one is set to the right tension and synchronization to keep things moving under the hood.

Is it time to schedule this service at Toyota of N Charlotte? 

So how do you know if you need to schedule a timing belt replacement? Here are some surefire signs it's time to contact our Charlotte Toyota service center:

• Your engine is misfiring. This is due to the belt slipping and then shifting back into place. 
• Your engine won't turn over. If you turn the key in the ignition, you'll likely hear the starter engage, but if the timing belt is going bad then you may not be able to get the engine to ignite (i.e. start). 
• Your car stalls out. This is a sign that your belt needs to be replaced ASAP, if not immediately. 
• You hear a ticking noise coming from the engine bay. This is usually caused by the belt wearing out. 

Feel like it's time to schedule a timing belt replacement at Toyota of N Charlotte? Call us! We're open seven days a week at (704) 875-9199.