The job of the timing belt is to control the opening and closing of the engine’s valves by turning the camshaft and crankshaft at the right speeds. We stock a large range of durable timing belts for all types of car. It’s essential to keep the timing belt at the right level of tension. Too loose and it will flap about – which could result in the engine valves opening at the wrong time and being struck by the pistons; too tight and it will put excess strain on the cog bearings. The correct tension is maintained by tensioner pulleys, which should be checked regularly and replaced if worn to ensure the timing belt does not malfunction. There are visual signs of wear and tear you can look out for in the timing belt such as cracks, shredding, sagging or brittleness. In addition you may hear a squealing sound if the belt is not turning properly. However, the timing belt can just snap without warning, so it’s important you don’t neglect to replace it in line with your car manufacturer’s specification, even if you don’t notice any signs of damage. The general rule of thumb is every four years or 60,000 miles, or slightly less often for newer vehicles.