Function

The timing belt turns the engine's camshaft at a speed set by the crankshaft. The crankshaft allows the camshaft to open and close in time with the pistons, which push the engine to work.

Parts

An engine is what supplies power from the battery to the other parts of the car in order for it to operate. There are many parts to an engine, including the camshaft, crankshaft, valves and timing belt. The engine size is what determines how many camshafts are on the engine (for example, most V-6 engines have two).

Benefits

A timing belt does exactly as the name suggests and keeps the engine "in time." If the timing belt slips or is not properly aligned, the engine will not work properly and may cause the engine to break down.

When to replace

A timing belt usually must be replaced after the odometer reads 60,000 miles but before it reaches 100,000 miles. Unlike your car battery, which can be replaced without much trouble after it completely stops working, a timing belt should be replaced before it stops working.

Cost of replacement

No matter how mechanically inclined you are, lift the hood of your car, take a look at the engine and parts under the hood and notice how tight everything is. This is why replacing a timing belt is expensive; what you pay to replace it is mostly the cost of labor.

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Timing Belt