| So, how is your car's timing belt doing? Have you | | | | prescribed intervals will lessen the chance that it |
| changed it lately? If, ever? If not, you must make | | | | will break before it is replaced. In addition, many |
| certain that the car hasn't been driven too many | | | | mechanics advise changing the water pump at the |
| miles or you could be driving on borrowed time. | | | | same time as the belt - even if it hasn't failed - as |
| Typically, a timing belt will last anywhere from | | | | most of the labor related to replacing a water |
| about 60,000 miles to just over 100,000 miles; | | | | pump has already been accomplished when |
| your owner's manual will spell that information out | | | | changing the belt. This is your call as a water |
| for you. A failed part can occur at any time, but | | | | pump could last as long as your car or it could fail |
| if you are on top of things you can avoid being | | | | at some future point. If the latter, you could be |
| left stranded. | | | | faced with a big repair bill in addition to the |
| A timing belt is used to turn the camshaft at | | | | inconvenience of having your car out of |
| precisely half the speed as the crankshaft. The | | | | commission for several days. |
| camshaft causes the intake and exhaust valves | | | | Many weekend mechanics feel comfortable |
| to open and shut in time with the pistons as they | | | | enough to replace their car's timing belt |
| move up and down in the cylinders. When the belt | | | | themselves. With a trusty Chilton or Haynes auto |
| breaks, you aren't going anywhere as the engine | | | | maintenance and repair manual by your side you |
| can no longer run. In some cases a belt failure | | | | can pop the hood and remove and replace the |
| could damage or even ruin a car's engine. | | | | part in no time. Shop via a reputable online |
| Unfortunately, too many motorists do not replace | | | | wholesaler to compare your replacement part |
| this important part until it has broken. This can be | | | | options and to find a product that is right for you. |
| a real problem when you are miles away from | | | | Save a bundle of money by doing the work |
| the nearest help! | | | | yourself and avoid the hassles and expense of |
| There is no absolute certain way to check that a | | | | traveling to your dealer's repair shop. |
| part has worn out. Instead, changing it at | | | | |