The timing belt is a specially formulated (reinforced) rubber belt with teeth that keeps your engine’s camshaft and crankshaft perfectly in sync. This precise timing ensures that your engine’s valves open and close at just the right moments during the intake and exhaust strokes.
If the belt slips, stretches, or breaks, pistons and valves can collide—causing severe engine damage. Without a properly functioning timing belt, your engine simply won’t run. That’s why this component is critical to your engine’s health and why replacing it before it fails is far cheaper than repairing the damage after a failure.
When Should You Replace the Timing Belt?
Most automobiles require timing belt replacement every 90,000 to 100,000 miles, or approximately every five years. However, certain driving conditions or engine designs may call for earlier service. It's best to consult your owner’s manual and speak with one of our technicians during your routine maintenance checkups.
So when should the timing belt be replaced? It’s best to do so according to manufacturer schedule, but here are some warning signs:
- Engine making ticking or squeaking noises
- Engine misfires or fails to start
- Check engine light is on
- Whining or squealing under the hood
- Belt damage that can be seen - such as cracks, fraying
If you observe any of these symptoms, you should take your car to Frank’s Auto Service and Repair for a professional timing belt examination.
What’s Included in Our Timing Belt Service?
Our ASE-certified technicians will check the belt and the tensioner. If replacement is needed, we will replace the timing belt and related components, for example, tensioners or idler pulley. We may also recommend replacing the water pump at the same time, since doing it while replacing the timing belt will save you considerable labor cost.
Frank’s Auto Service and Repair in Walnut Creek uses high-quality, OEM parts and is known for its friendly, personal approach. We believe in transparent communications and high-quality workmanship. Our timing belt services are conducted by nationally certified technicians and come with a 36-month/36,000-mile nationwide warranty.
So if it has been a while since the last timing belt replacement, or you are not sure if the timing belt should be replaced, book an appointment today, and we inspect the timing belt and let you know what needs to be done.