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