The timing belt is one of the most critical components in your engine. It synchronises the rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft, ensuring valves open and close at exactly the right moment. When it fails, the results can be catastrophic.
In interference engines — most modern cars — a broken timing belt allows pistons to collide with open valves. This bends the valves and sometimes cracks the pistons, destroying the engine in milliseconds. Repair costs can run into hundreds of thousands of rupees; prevention costs a fraction of that.
Most Japanese cars call for replacement every 60,000–80,000 km or 5 years, whichever comes first. European cars typically stretch to 80,000–100,000 km. Always replace the tensioner and idler pulley at the same time as the belt.
If you're buying a used car, always ask for the timing belt history. If it's within 15,000 km of its service interval, or you don't know when it was last done, replace it immediately — this is non-negotiable.
Warning signs include a ticking noise from the engine at idle, misfiring or rough idle, oil leaks near the front of the engine, and visible cracking or glazing on the belt itself.
Timing belt replacement requires precise torque settings and timing marks to be aligned perfectly — a mistake causes immediate engine damage when you start the car. Unless you're an experienced mechanic with the right tools, this is a job for a trusted workshop.