What is a timing belt and why does it need to be changed?
Timing belts are just that. They are either a belt (comparable to an engine belt) The belt turns a set of gears that controls the opening and closing of the valves. The valves must be timed properly because they work in conjunction with fuel delivery, and the action of the piston If the valves open at the same time the piston comes up, the two will collide and the valves will bend. This collision usually happens when the timing belt either slips on the gear or breaks after excessive wear and use. When a timing belt breaks it does not always bend the valves. If you are lucky you will only have to replace the timing belt . This usually costs approximately $200 to $500 depending on your make and model. In the event your valves bend you will be looking at repair costs of approximately $300 to $1,300, depending on the damage and your make and model. This is why replacing your timing belt at the recommended service intervals is so important. Most people feel that a few hundred dollars is too
