Does your vehicle have...
     ...an interference engine ...
          ...or a non-interference engine ?

             YOU NEED TO KNOW !

 What so many people don't know is if their timing belt goes...
                        ...so does their engine!

What is a timing belt?

 A timing belt is a cogged rubber belt that connects the camshaft and crankshaft of an engine. The crankshaft is spun by the pistons via connecting rods, sort of like the crank on a bicycle is spun by your legs. The camshaft must open valves at certain points in the pistons' travel, so the camshafts' rotation must be synched to the crankshafts' rotation. This is why the timing belt has cogs. The cogs in the timing belt fit into cogs in the cam and crank sprockets to prevent slipping.

Do all cars have timing belts?

 No. Some cars have a timing chain that connects the cam and crank sprockets and others have timing gears that connect directly.

When should I replace my timing belt?

The manufacturer usually publishes a mileage / time interval for timing belt replacement, but it is not always clear or logical or necessarily the best time to replace the timing belt.

Some examples --

Not clear: When the Acura Legend was introduced there was no mileage or time interval published. (Later Acura recommended a 90K mi. 7.5 year interval)

So, when should you replace your belt? When in doubt, use the published interval (if there is one). If you want to get the most you can out of your belt, 
e-mail me rudy@vancouverautobroker.com with the year and model of your Acura, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, or Toyota, and I'd be happy to let you know how far you can go , without risk!

Technical Timing Belt Guide