A typical timing belt will only cost between $25 and $50, but the repair takes at least a few hours. The labor cost to replace a timing belt can range from $200 – $900.

The timing belt can fail without any prior symptoms, so if you’re within the mileage window, you should go ahead and have it replaced regardless. That being said, sometimes your car will give you a bit of warning that the belt is wearing out.

What’s That Sound? – One sound that you need to be aware of is a high-pitched screech or whirring when you first start your car and/or when you’re idling or accelerating. The next is a ticking coming from inside the engine itself. These are both possible indicators that the timing belt is malfunctioning.

Absolutely. There are a number of drivers of a variety of different vehicles that have experienced timing belts that have lasted 200,000 miles and there are even rumours of truly astounding feats like timing belts that managed to get to 400,000 miles.

Replacing them with new components can give the false feeling of increased performance when the truth is the engine has just been returned to the correct state of operation. No timing belt will give an increase in performance – it’s just not possible. Its main job is to keep the timing in check.

7 to 10 years

The rubber in timing belts does break down with age.

They can be anywhere from $500 to $2000+ plus, depending on a few key factors: Vehicle make and model. Labor costs. Parts replaced.

Generally, the idler pulleys, tensioner and water pump should always be replaced when the timing belt is replaced. In most cases, the timing belt drives the water pump, so it is the right time to replace the water pump. It is also recommended by the manufacturer.

Facts and figures: a working water pump only needs to be replaced after 60,000-100,000 miles, so if you have your car for less than 10 years, you may never have to worry about it. That being said, if you purchase your car used, it is a good idea to find out if the water pump has been replaced.

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Water Pump

• Coolant Leak at the Front-Center of your Car.
• Rust, Deposit Buildup, and Corrosion of the Water Pump.
• Water Pump Pulley is Loose and Making Whining Sounds.
• Engine is Overheating.
• Steam Coming from your Radiator.

Water pumps don’t “break” and start leaking; they have things called “weep holes”, so that when the bearings are starting to wear down, it will slowly start to drip, that way you know its time to replace it. If that is all that is happening, you’re fine to drive it for a week or so.

When the water pump fails or is beginning to wear out, it can lead to complete engine failure. The pump is operated by the engine’s drive belt – as the belt turns, the pump turns. Blades on the pump force coolant to flow through the engine and back to the radiator to be cooled by a forced air cooling fan.

Catastrophic failure of your water pump will cause either a complete or partial loss of coolant flow and rapid overheating. If this happens to your vehicle, it may be accompanied by engine noise or a broken engine belt, but will definitely result in your engine temperature gauge rising quickly.

The average water pump replacement cost is $550, with prices ranging from $461 to $638 in the US in 2020. But typically depends on the type of vehicle you drive and the auto repair shop you take it to. Labor costs are between $256 and $324 while parts cost between $205 and $314. Estimate doesn’t include fees and taxes.

While removing the pump is not difficult, you must have experience removing and replacing timing belts and their various components. It takes just as much work to get down to the timing belt as it does the water pump, therefore you should plan on replacing the belt at the same time.

a 3 hour