Your car or truck’s internal combustion engine is using a timing belt, timing chain, or cam belt to synchronize the rotation of its crankshaft and camshaft. If the timing belt is worn down or broken, it will not properly open and close the engine’s valves during each cylinder’s intake and exhaust strokes. This forces the valves and pistons out of sync. If your engine suddenly begins to backfire or stop all together, your timing belt could be the problem. Timing belts are often very difficult to visually inspect and thus are recommended to be replaced at intervals determined by the manufacturer. Some timing belts are recommended for replacement as soon as 60,000 miles, but most vehicle belt replacements are suggested between 90,000 and 100,000 miles.

If your timing belt does not function properly, it could cause irreparable damage to your engine. To keep your timing belt strong, it is important that the engine doesn’t run too hot. It is also important that the engine doesn’t leak oil. Overheated engines and oil leaks are the two biggest causes of timing belt failure.