Timing Belt Replacement in Daphne, AL

When does a timing belt need replacing?

Most manufacturers call for a new timing belt somewhere between 60,000 and 105,000 miles, or after a set number of years even if the car isn’t driven much. The exact interval for your car is in the owner’s manual, or give us a call with the year, make and model and we’ll look it up.

If you bought the car used and don’t know whether it’s been done, assume it hasn’t. A belt that’s 15 years old can be cracked even with low miles on it.

Belt or chain? Many newer engines use a timing chain instead of a belt. Chains usually last the life of the engine, but a rattle on cold starts can mean a worn chain or tensioner. We’ll tell you which one your engine has.

Warning signs

• A ticking or slapping noise from the front of the engine
• An engine that cranks but won’t start (the belt may already be broken)
• Misfires or rough running
• Oil leaking from the timing cover area
• A check engine light with a cam/crank correlation code

What the job includes

• Timing belt replacement
• Tensioner and idler pulleys
• Water pump, when it’s driven by the timing belt (it’s already apart, so this saves you paying for the same labor twice)
• Cam and crank seals if they’re leaking
• Timing chain and tensioner service

What to expect

Call to set up a time and have your mileage handy. We’ll quote the job for your specific engine before we start, including whether the water pump should be done at the same time.

Related services

• Engine repair
• Radiator and cooling system repair
• Oil leak repair

Why Valentine Automotive

We’re a family-owned shop in Daphne, open since 2015. Stuart and Erik Valentine are ASE certified and spent years at Nissan, Hyundai, Subaru and Toyota dealerships before opening the shop. We work on cars and light trucks, foreign and domestic. (We don’t work on diesels or big trucks.)