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Quite simply, the timing belt is one of your car’s most important components. It is absolutely vital to the performance, safety and overall health of your vehicle, and it should never go ignored.
What the Timing Belt Does
The timing belt makes sure the crankshaft and camshaft are working in sync. It basically choreographs the timing of your engine’s combustion process. As pistons travel up and down in the cylinders, intake valves open up at precise times to bring in air and fuel. Then, they close at just the right time for the fuel to burn. Lastly, the exhaust valves open up to let out the exhaust fumes.
It is a very synchronized process and it literally happens thousands of times every minute. Your timing belt is what enables these values to open and close at precise times. Without it, your engine won’t run. If it is slipping or not performing properly, your engine timing will be off and that can lead to major auto repair problems. We’re talking cylinder head damage, bent valves and other costly issues.
Timing Belt Maintenance and Replacement
It is always a good to have your timing belt and all fan belts checked with any routine automotive maintenance visit. Let experienced technicians such as those at San Francisco Automotive Solutions check the belts, make sure they are in good shape and test the timing accuracy.
In most cases, timing belt replacement is recommended every 60,000 miles. However, if you have tough driving conditions or habits, you may need to do it more often. San Francisco’s hills, traffic and salty, humid ocean air can all have an impact on the lifespan of your timing belts and other rubber components like tires, seals, gaskets and fan belts.
In certain engines, the water pump is driven by the timing belt. In other situations, it is driven by the serpentine belt. If you are getting your timing belt replaced, it may be worth having your water pump replaced at the same time. The two parts typically go hand-in-hand and have similar lifespans.
Your San Francisco Timing Belt Repair Experts
Replacing the timing belt when it’s due is a very important procedure and should be handled by automotive repair experts. Let San Francisco Automotive Solutions help you with timing belt and water pump checks, repairs and replacements, along with all of your other vehicle maintenance needs.
Call San Francisco Automotive Solutions today at (415) 523-0515 or schedule a service visit online.