Best Prices for Timing Belt Replacement

Our mobile mechanics offer services 7 days a week. Upfront and transparent pricing.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(1,387)

Included for free with this service

Online Booking

Mechanic comes to you

12-month / 12k-mile warranty

Free 50 point safety inspection

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to your home or office 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Customer Ratings

(1,387)

How much does Timing Belt Replacement cost?

It depends on the type of car you drive and the auto repair shop you go to. Our mechanics are mobile, which means they don't have the overhead that repair shops have. They provide you convenience by coming to your home or office.

Timing Belt Replacement pricing for various cars

CarsEstimateParts CostLabor CostSavingsAverage Dealer Price
2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse$860$349.22$510.96-18%$725.47
2009 Toyota Tundra$1330$395.71$934.33-22%$1083.71
2016 Honda Odyssey$1003$463.26$540.16-16%$861.01
2014 Acura TL$1084$411.97$671.55-19%$906.47
2013 Acura RDX$894$411.97$481.76-16%$766.72

Timing Belt Replacement Service

What is a timing belt and how does it work?

An engine timing belt is a fiber reinforced, toothed drive belt manufactured using durable compounds such as highly saturated nitrile. The timing belt allows the crankshaft to drive the camshafts in the cylinder head at half the RPMs of the crankshaft. The camshafts then open and close the engine’s intake and exhaust valves in time with the movement and position of the pistons in the engine.

Timing Belt

When to replace the timing belt?

  • Every 60k-90k miles. If an engine is equipped with a timing belt, the timing belt must be replaced at the service interval specified by the vehicle manufacturer regardless of whether or not any problem is visible, typically in the range of 60,000 to 90,000 miles. Your vehicle owner’s manual should state the specific service interval.
  • Engine stops abruptly or will not start. Occasionally, timing belts can break, or skip, while the engine is running.
  • Rough engine operation. The molded, reinforced teeth on the timing belt engage gears on the crankshaft and camshafts. After many tens of thousands of miles, the teeth can wear or break, or the belt can stretch, thus causing the belt to jump position on the crankshaft or camshaft gears. Should the belt jump, the engine will run poorly and perhaps not at all.
  • Banging or clanking engine noise. On some engines, if the timing belt has jumped, the pistons and valves can collide and there will be noise and damage. These engine designs are referred to as interference engines. If your car has an interference engine, replacing the timing belt according to the maintenance schedule will minimize the chance that a belt failure will cause engine damage.

How do mechanics replace the timing belt?

Engine designs vary, and thus the replacement procedure will vary, but broadly, the procedure is as follows:

  • Disconnect the battery ground cable.
  • Once the engine is cold, set the crankshaft to top dead center with the number one piston on the compression stroke. Remove crankshaft pulley.
  • Remove all accessories interfering with the removal of the timing belt covers.
  • Remove timing belt covers. Lock camshafts, as required, and note position of camshaft timing marks. Remove timing belt tensioner and idler pulleys. Remove timing belt.
  • If replacing the water pump, do so at this time, and of course drain the cooling system first. If the engine cooling system thermostat is only accessible with water pump replacement, the thermostat should be replaced as well.
  • Installation of the new timing belt includes all of the above steps, performed in reverse, following strict guidelines to assure camshaft and crankshaft (and balancing shaft, if equipped) are in perfect alignment after tensioner has been set.
  • Upon completion of the installation, the engine crankshaft is turned by hand 720 degrees and the correct position of the timing marks on the crankshaft and the camshafts is confirmed.
  • The vehicle is road tested to confirm normal operation and a service sticker is affixed to the engine noting the date of belt replacement and the vehicle mileage.

Is it safe to drive with a timing belt problem?

No, were a worn out timing belt to snap while underway, perhaps on a highway, it creates a risk of complete loss of engine power while surrounded by fast moving vehicles. Once your vehicle has reached the recommended replacement mileage for the belt, you can eliminate the risk of sudden and unexpected timing belt breakage by having it replaced. If your engine is of the interference type, it is especially important to replace the belt according to the maintenance schedule because sudden breakage of the timing belt, while the engine is running, will likely cause significant damage to internal engine components such as the valves and pistons.

When replacing the timing belt keep in mind:

  • An interference engine should be carefully inspected before a broken timing belt is replaced because it may have sustained damage that will have to be repaired prior to installing a new belt.
  • The timing belt system includes idler pulleys and a belt tensioner. These components should be replaced along with the belt.
  • On some cars, the timing belt drives the engine’s water pump. Mechanics will usually recommend replacing the water pump at the same time that the timing belt is replaced.

Recent Timing Belt Replacement reviews

Excellent Rating

(1,387)

Rating Summary
1,299
45
9
7
27
1,299
45
9
7
27

Michael

28 years of experience
672 reviews
Michael
28 years of experience
Toyota 4Runner V8-4.7L - Timing Belt - Queen Creek, Arizona
Michael was on time. He left my driveway clean after the repairs. He took pride in his work. The 4Runner drove better and the motor sounded better after the repairs.

Faraz

23 years of experience
142 reviews
Faraz
23 years of experience
Ford Ranger L4-2.5L - Timing Belt - San Carlos, California
Faraz got right to the task and completed the job in a very timely manner. Nice guy and easy to get along with!

Greg

23 years of experience
624 reviews
Greg
23 years of experience
Subaru Legacy H4-2.5L - Timing Belt Replacement - Mesa, Arizona
Greg is AMAZING!!! I had a concern unrelated to my scheduled appointment. Another mechanic told me I needed a service done. Greg not only checked it himself, he called another master mechanic to properly diagnose next steps and saved me $3500 of unneeded work! He was incredibly thorough, patient, communicative and was a pleasure to work with. Highly recommend him for work on your car! Thank you for everything, Greg!

James

31 years of experience
1039 reviews
James
31 years of experience
Lexus GS300 L6-3.0L - Timing Belt - Altamonte Springs, Florida
One of the best most professional mechanics I have worked with so far. Very honest and was able to clear up any issues that previous mechanics weren't able to fix. Thanks James will be requesting your services from now on.

Recent articles & questions

How the Defroster Works
The car defroster is a component that is commonly used. Front defrosters usually use air current, while rear defrosters are electric.
How Long Does a Headlight Closure Relay Last?
With With all of the different relays that are on a car, it can feel like a full-time job keeping up with them all. One of the most important safety features that a car has is properly working headlights. In...
Child Seat Safety Laws in North Carolina
In In North Carolina, everyone in a motor vehicle is required by law to either wear a seat belt or be restrained properly in a child safety seat. This is just common sense, because restraints save lives. Whether you are...

Leaking transmission fluid from bell housing

Hi, thanks for writing in. Your transmission is leaking from the bell housing most likely because the torque converter seal has failed. If the torque converter seal fails it will leak fluid from where the engine and transmission meet up....

Grinding noise while driving and turning right.

The origin of the noise should be apparent to a mechanic once he or she road tests the vehicle. If not, installing remote wireless chassis ears at a few key spots in the front end will pinpoint the origin of...

My car makes a noise when starting like winning noise upon start. It looks like it is coming from the drive belt area

There are a couple of things that usually will produce a whining noise from the drive belt area. A failing water pump (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/water-pump-replacement) will produce a whining noise, which will typically be accompanied by overheating or coolant leaking as a...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

+1 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com