Dear Motor Medics,
I have a car that needs a timing belt and it is going to cost over $1,000 to change. That sounds crazy to me. I have had belts changed before on my cars and they have never been more than $50 but none of my cars have had timing belts. It is a 2005 Lexus so I know it might run a little more than some of the other domestic cars I have had but come on, 1k is just way over the top and I think I may be getting taken. Can I just let it go? Ben in Portland, Maine Dear Ben, Many cars have expensive timing belts. When we give purchase advice, we will tell buyers to take the cost of regular timing belt service into account when they purchase a car. It is a must-do item that if let go will eventually break and in the case of an interference engine “which most are” will destroy the engine or severely damage it, at the very least, and that can cost thousands to repair.
The timing belt takes the place of the timing chain and it times the movement of the valves and pistons so that the valves are closed when the pistons get to the top. If the valves are open, then they will collide, and parts will break. Timing belts are typically in the range of $600 to well over $1000 to do the job on some cars. Take care, The Motor Medics
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