Posted on 12/19/2025
If you look through maintenance schedules or listen to car advice online, you will hear a lot about timing belts and timing chains. Some engines have one, some have the other, and the service needs are very different. Since a failure in either part can cause big engine damage, it makes sense to know which one your vehicle uses and what that really means for maintenance. What the Timing System Actually Does The timing system keeps the crankshaft and camshaft(s) in sync so the valves open and close at the right moment as the pistons move. If that relationship slips, the engine will run poorly, or in some designs, valves and pistons can collide. That is why timing components are treated as critical parts rather than “nice to have” items. In most modern engines, the timing belt or chain also drives other components, such as a water pump or bala ... read more