Every car owner or enthusiast worries about potential repair bills, but some unexpected component failures can cost much more than others. For example, having your timing belt replaced will set you back between $597 and $804. If you have a timing chain issue instead, it could cost between $1,693 and $1,955. That’s not to mention the damage to other systems that can happen as a result of these components failing, which can, of course, lead to even more financial burdens.

Thankfully, however, having an extended warranty in place can help in the event of timing belt and chain failures. Here, we take a look at how, plus the role of timing belts and chains in your vehicle, common causes of timing belt and chain failures, and why Endurance is your best choice for protecting yourself from the rising cost of car ownership.

The Role of Timing Belts and Chains in Your Vehicle

A timing belt (sometimes known as a cambelt) keeps the camshaft and crankshaft (two essential parts of your car’s engine) working in synchronization with each other. Any slight disruption to this synchronicity can be catastrophic to your car’s engine, making the timing belt a crucial component.

A car’s camshaft lets fuel and air in and out of the engine. At the same time, the crankshaft moves the pistons up and down. When these work in harmony, your engine runs smoothly, and the timing belt ensures that they’re always aligned.

Rather than a timing belt made from rubber composites, some vehicles are instead fitted with a timing chain made from steel and drive sprockets (similar to the chain you’d find on a bicycle). Timing chains usually last longer than timing belts due to their strength and lubrication, but they ultimately cost significantly more to replace.

5 Common Causes and Consequences of Timing Belt and Chain Failures

Your timing belt or chain is under constant strain while driving, which puts them at higher risk of wear. Problems that can cause your check engine light to turn on include:

1. Misalignment: One of the main causes of timing belt failure is misalignment, which can occur due to excessive or uneven tooth wear, belt tracking, or tensile failure.
2. Being under-tensioned: Under-tensioning can cause excessive or uneven tooth wear and excessive drive noise. If you’re experiencing tooth skipping (also called “ratcheting” of the tensioner), this is also probably due to your belt being under-tensioned.
3. Excessive load: As you’d expect, putting too much load on your timing belt will cause additional wear and premature failure. In particular, timing belt teeth can shear, and tensile failure may occur.
4. Damaged or worn pulleys: If timing pulleys are damaged or worn, this can significantly reduce belt life. Any nicks or gouges can cut the belt, causing additional wear.
5. Debris in the timing pulley or drive: One of the most overlooked causes of timing belt issues, dirt on the teeth can abrade the belt, and engine oil can attack the belt materials.

Ultimately, the consequence will be timing belt or chain failure, which can cause serious damage to your car’s engine. It’s more than likely your timing belt will stop working while your car is in motion, which means the crankshaft will continue to spin while the camshaft will stop turning. As a result, the pistons will continue to rise and fall in their cylinders, striking the valves, and instantaneously damaging the pistons, valves, and cylinder heads. In the worst-case scenario, this can cause extensive engine damage or total engine failure.

How to Spot a Faulty Timing Belt or Chain

There are a number of ways you can spot a timing belt or chain that might be on its way out, for example:

• A ticking noise coming from the engine: A ticking noise coming from your engine can be a sign of a serious issue with your timing belt. It can also be a sign of low oil pressure or time for an oil change, so make sure to get it checked out as soon as possible.
• The engine won’t turn over: When your car’s timing belt is broken, the engine won’t be able to ignite or turn over properly. Turning the key may cause the starter engine to engage, but because the timing belt is responsible for operating the crank and shaft, it won’t fully ignite.
• An oil leak near the motor: If you start to notice oil around your engine, this may be leaking from the timing belt cover. This should be secured by a series of nuts and bolts, but they can come loose over time.
• Exhaust issues: Exhaust fumes that are much more black than you’re used to could indicate a timing belt inefficiency. A timing belt that isn’t working as it should will force an engine to work even harder, resulting in more exhaust fumes than usual.
• Revs start acting up: When you’re out driving, you may notice your RPMs (revolutions per minute) have begun to act strangely. Whether your timing belt is missing teeth or is close to snapping, it can have a major impact on your car’s RPM meter.

How an Extended Warranty Can Help with Timing Belt and Chain Repairs

Factory warranties are fantastic while they’re active, covering the cost of auto shop bills so you don’t have to. But the second it expires, you’re suddenly exposed to the financial implications of unexpected component failure, which can set you back hundreds—if not thousands—of dollars per year.

Thankfully, you have a couple of options if you’d like to continue enjoying the driving confidence you’ve become accustomed to, the first of which is a more traditional extended warranty. Usually acquired via a dealership (or sometimes directly from your manufacturer), this type of coverage does as the name implies and extends your factory warranty terms beyond the expiration date.

There are some major downsides to this route, however — including an unreasonably high membership cost and a long list of restrictions. To make matters worse, you’re only eligible for this type of coverage while your factory warranty is in place. So if yours has expired already, or you’re one of the millions of used car owners out there, you’ll no longer qualify.

That’s why the second option is also the universally preferred one. A vehicle service contract (VSC) from a third-party provider such as Endurance can be purchased regardless of factory warranty status, offering almost as comprehensive coverage at an even better price point. You can protect your vehicle’s timing belt and other key components with the freedom to have costly repairs carried out at any certified mechanic. If that wasn’t enough, third-party providers are incentivized to give you maximum value for money, adding on useful bonus perks that can come in handy when you’re out on the road.

To give you a real-world example, let’s imagine you’ve taken out a vehicle service contract for your Honda Accord. The service contract is an exclusionary one, meaning that almost everything between the vehicle’s bumpers is covered besides a short list of exclusions. You notice the signs of a failing timing belt — which would usually cost you around $790 to repair — and take it to a trusted local mechanic.

Once at the repair shop, inform them of the problem and that you have an extended warranty. They will contact your provider, confirm coverage, repair your vehicle, and send you on your way. It really is that simple!

Endurance Warranty Coverage for Mechanical Issues

If you’re in the market for a vehicle service contract, there are plenty of providers to choose from, but for drivers in the United States, there’s only one name you need to know. Since 2006, Endurance has spent almost 20 years becoming America’s most trusted auto protection plan provider. In that time, we’ve helped thousands of car owners save serious money on unexpected repair bills, and we’re more than happy to help you, too.

We have a wide range of plans to choose from, designed with almost everyone in mind. As part of your car’s powertrain, timing belts and chains are covered under every single one of our programs, so whatever you choose, you’re protected. Not only are our eligibility and affordability unrivaled, our team of advisors will be more than happy to customize a plan that fits your needs and budget.

Another reason why drivers love Endurance is our fantastic suite of benefits, which come as standard for all members. Sign up today and receive 24/7 roadside assistance (including towing, fuel delivery, and lockout services), rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption coverage. When a breakdown occurs, use these benefits and choose your own certified mechanic or find a repair shop near you. Customers also get a year’s access to our Elite Benefits, which adds up to four tire repairs or replacements annually, key fob replacement, up to $500 in collision discounts, and up to $1,000 in total loss protection.

FAQs: Timing Belt and Chain Failures and Extended Warranties

Still have questions about timing belts and chains? You should find the answer right here:

When should I replace my timing belt or chain?

Your vehicle manufacturer will have a suggested replacement interval, which you’ll find in your owner’s manual. Your manufacturer may change these intervals as a result of any technical recalls. Standard intervals for timing belts usually sit somewhere between the 40,000 and 100,000-mile mark, or if your car has especially low mileage, the 4-5-year mark is also a good time. Timing chains usually last longer, so the 80,000 to 100,000-mile mark is more appropriate.

Are timing belts or chains more likely to fail?

Timing belts are made from rubber composites that degrade over time. Timing chains, on the other hand, are made from steel. Due to their strength and lubrication, new timing chains are expected to last significantly longer than timing belts, but that doesn’t mean that a well-maintained timing belt can’t go the distance.

Does an extended warranty cover timing belt or chain replacement due to regular wear and tear?

Extended warranties don’t cover regular wear and tear but instead cover unexpected component failure. A manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule must be followed in order to keep extended warranty coverage active, so if the timing belt is replaced on schedule, it should never fail due to regular wear and tear. However, if it fails unexpectedly before replacement is due, you’re covered for the resulting repair.

What happens if my timing belt or chain fails while driving?

A timing belt or chain that fails while the car is in motion can cause catastrophic damage that may result in total engine failure. The crankshaft will continue to spin while the camshaft stops turning, causing the pistons to rise and fall in their cylinders. As a result, they will strike the valves, damaging the pistons, valves, and cylinder heads.

How much does it cost to replace a timing belt or chain without a warranty?

The cost to replace a timing belt or chain varies from vehicle to vehicle. The average timing belt replacement cost is between $597 and $804, and the average timing chain replacement cost is between $1,693 and $1,955.

Protect Your Vehicle from Timing Belt and Timing Chain Failures

Want to find out more about how an Endurance plan can protect you from the cost of timing belt and timing chain failures? Give our team a call at (800) 253-8203 to request a FREE quote, or shop online to check out plan recommendations and pricing instantly.

For anyone who’d like to do a little more reading first, we also have plenty more helpful articles, just like this one, on our extended warranty blog, so head on over and take a look before you leave.