What to Look For
Periodically conduct a visual inspection. Inspect the belt for chips, cracks, or missing ribbing. A worn timing belt may also have spots of oil or coolant. A belt in good shape should not have any signs of engine fluid on its surface. To inspect the belt, you may need to remove a plastic covering, which is usually held in place with a few screws or plastic clips.

As the belt starts to wear out, it may also begin to produce a high-pitched whirring or shrieking sound when the engine is running or idling. Finally, if your car is having trouble starting, then a faulty timing belt is a likely culprit.

Have an auto repair service take a look under the hood if you notice any of the described symptoms. Your car’s operation manual will also specify how often the timing belt needs to be changed. Replacement intervals vary across models and generally range anywhere from 60,000 to 106,000 miles.

Leave the Replacement to a Mechanic
Unless you possess an intermediate knowledge of the inner workings of an automobile, replacing a timing belt is generally not a DIY job. Leave the work to our staff at G&J Auto Center. Timing belt replacement is just one of our many specialties, and we also provide special offers exclusive for first-time customers.