The timing belt is one of those parts you rarely think about, until something goes wrong. But when it fails, it causes major damage to your engine in seconds. Unlike a squeaky belt or a slow oil leak, a worn timing belt doesn't always give you obvious warning signs. That’s why it’s important to know what to look for before the belt snaps or skips a tooth. Here’s how to recognize the signs of a failing timing belt and why this maintenance item should never be ignored. What Does the Timing Belt Do The timing belt is a rubber belt with teeth that syncs the movement of the crankshaft and camshaft. This ensures that the engine’s valves open and close at the right times during each cylinder’s intake and exhaust strokes. If this synchronization is thrown off, even slightly, the engine can run poorly, or in most cases, not at all. In some engines (called interference engines), a broken timing belt can allow the valves to collide with the p ... read more