Sacramento Auto Repair

Timing belt replacement can be a costly repair, which is why many Sacramento drivers tend to put it off as long as they can. In fact, recent studies have shown that one in every five vehicles needs a new belt. However, ignoring this problem can result in damaging the rest of your vehicle, particularly your engine. Once your timing belt completely fails, your vehicle will not be able to operate and in many cases can leave you stranded. To avoid such situations, be aware of the following signs to change your timing belt as early as possible. You Notice Material Loss Similar to the way you would inspect your tire for wear, you want to check your timing belt for any loss of material. As the material deteriorates, you lose traction, which can cause the timing belt to slip out of place. This is especially true for vehicles that are carrying a particularly heavy load, such as a trailer or caravan. Your Belt Shows Signs of Abrasion If your belt’s edges loo ... read more

While the majority of Sacramento drivers may be familiar with routine maintenance and repair such as oil changes and engine checks, many aren’t aware of when or why they may need their timing belt replaced. First, it’s important to understand what your timing belt is and why you need it. Your timing belt is responsible for perfectly timing the opening and closing of your valves in synchronization with the up-and-down movements of your pistons. Over time, this belt needs to be replaced to continue to allow your vehicle to smoothly function while on the road. While most driver will be faced with replacing a timing belt during the life of their vehicle, it may not need to happen as frequently as you may think. In fact, most vehicle owner’s manuals suggest that timing belts be replaced anywhere from 60,000 to 106,000 miles. High mileage cars may be able to continue with a timing belt past its interval time, however, it isn’t recommended for maintaining a quality ve ... read more

Your timing belt in your car is an imperative component that will cause automobile issues if it is not working correctly. A timing belt will slip if the teeth on the belt wear down. Since the belt is made of rubber, like tires it can wear. For this reason, manufacturers specify a time and mileage limit on when you should have the timing belt replaced. Take a good look at your car owner’s manual to see the time and mileage limit placed on your vehicle. It is a good idea to stick to this time limit, but even then you may need a replacement beforehand. Here are some warning signs your car will give you if you need to have your timing belt replaced: Does your engine start to act oddly when you get between 2000 and 6400 RPM? If so, this could be a timing belt issue that calls for you to make a replacement. This happens with the belt becomes loose or there are some teeth missing, cause the timing belt to malfunction.  While a timing belt may not look like much all by itself, it ... read more