Timing Belt/Chain Replacement

Your car will have either a timing belt or timing chain, each component still having the same responsibility. They are found in the car's engine and work with other components within the engine to ensure the rotation works perfectly.

The difference between a belt & chain is the materials they are made of - a timing belt is made of rubber and the timing chain is made of metal.

When shall I replace my belt/chain?

A timing belt is recommended to be replaced between 40,000 to 100,000 miles. This can vary depending on the wear and tear of the timing belt, the age and also the manufacturer's recommendation.

A timing chain is recommended to be replaced between 80,000 to 120,000 miles. Again, this could vary depending on many factors. It can be difficult to know if your belt/chain is faulty due to it being an internal engine component, but signs to look out for are:

ticking/rattling noises coming from the engine
hard stalling
loss of power

It is important to note that annual servicing and general regular maintenance of the vehicle can make a big difference to maintaining the condition of the belt/chain. Failure to replace a faulty timing belt/chain could cause it to snap which can lead to the car to come to a sudden halt and cause further damage to engine components.