Can you do a timing belt yourself?

Can you do a timing belt yourself?

But if you are and you enjoy doing your own repairs or restorations then it’s something you can do yourself, and save on some big repair bills in the process. We’ll walk you through the process of replacing a timing belt and water pump step by step, starting with the tools you’ll need.

Do you have to break in a new timing belt?

A timing belt must be replaced at recommended by the manufacturer intervals, usually from 60,000 miles to 105,000 miles (from 96,000 km to 168,000 km). If not replaced in time, the timing belt can break.

How many hours does it take to change a 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.

What happens when you need a new timing belt?

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.

Are timing belts expensive?

Depending on your vehicle, a timing belt service could turn into a big deal and it’s going to be costly. 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.

When to buy a new timing belt for your car?

Buy a new belt before proceeding with removing the old one. If this is a maintenance service, you may want to locate a new belt before removing the old one. If the belt has broken or slipped, you can wait until the old one is removed before buying a new one so you can compare them to be sure the new one is the correct one for your vehicle.

What should I do if my timing belt snaps?

At this point, the camshaft sprockets will align with the marks on engine, and the crank sprocket will align with the marks on the engine. Some engines, like GM interference DOHC V6s, will require special tools keep the cams from moving, so consult with a factory service manual if you can.

What happens if your timing belt skips or breaks?

In an interference engine, the valves and piston share the same airspace and the timing belt keeps them from touching. This is why you’ll have a major engine failure on your hands if the belt breaks or skips.

How do you remove a timing belt from an engine?

Remove the bolts or screws holding the timing cover in place. Remove this cover off the engine. Some engines have a two-piece timing cover. Remove any components or accessory drive belts that interfere with removing the timing belt cover.

How to choose the right timing belt for your car?

Use your car’s information to choose which belt to buy. You also need to know your engine type and size so the belt fits properly. Read on for another quiz question. Bring the old belt to the store and buy the same one. Not necessarily!

Do you have to change timing belt and water pump at same time?

Very often, while the technician has your car in bits, it makes sense for them to carry out other jobs, which makes it more expensive in the short run but should save you over time. On some engines, it’s recommended having the water pump replaced at the same time as the timing belt because you have to take one off to get to the other.

How do you tension a timing belt pulley?

Place the timing belt on each timing belt pulley and ensure proper engagement between the timing belt pulley and timing belt teeth. Lengthen the center distance or adjust the tensioning idler to remove any timing belt slack. Using a tape measure, measure the span length of the drive in inches. Refer to dimension “P” in the diagram above.

What happens when a timing belt comes loose?

When the teeth come loose from the timing belt they can fall into the gears, which can cause your car to jerk and vibrate even when you’re sitting at idle and not driving. Noises: As an attentive driver you always need to be on the lookout for unusual sounds coming from your engine.