Will broken timing belt cause engine damage?

A broken timing belt can cause severe engine damage that could cost you thousands to repair. To avoid this from ever happening, have the timing belt changed at the mileage milestone recommended in your owner’s manual.

Can a timing belt mess up your engine?

As vehicles age and accumulate miles, it’s common for the timing belt to wear out and become compromised. Timing belt replacement is a relatively simple service to perform. However, if a worn out timing belt snaps, it can seriously damage your engine.

What happens to your car when the timing belt goes out?

When your timing belt is broken, you won’t be able to drive your car at all. Oftentimes, the timing belt will break while the car is in motion. This can cause serious damage to cylinder head hardware like rocker arms, push rods, or valves.

Can low oil cause timing belt to break?

If there is no oil pressure on the tensioner, the belt will become loose and disengage from the pulleys. The timing belt can break if the camshafts don’t have enough to operate properly.

How much does it cost to fix a broken timing belt?

Having a timing belt replaced before it breaks will cost between $500 and $1,000 on average while waiting for it to break before replacing can cost upward of $2,000 or more. Especially, if there’s other damage that occurred in the process.

Can oil damage a timing belt?

Oil leaks. Oil can interfere with the timing belt. It can get in between the belt’s teeth and can cause the belt to slip and slide and even come off entirely.

How much is it to replace a timing belt?

How long does it take to replace a broken timing belt?

Replacing the timing belt is an expensive service. It is an intricate, labor-intensive process that can take 4–8 hours, depending on the vehicle. But replacing the timing belt before it breaks will prevent engine damage and save you money in the long run.

Is it worth fixing a timing belt?

Although timing belts are critical, there’s no need to replace them regularly –unless explicitly recommended in your owner’s manual. Some automakers recommend changing a timing belt between 60,000 and 100,000, others don’t. Many of today’s timing belts can go 100,000 miles or more without needing to be replaced.