We love our engines
It was a Tuesday morning in February when a 2010 Audi A4 rolled into my bay on a flatbed. The owner—a software engineer who’d bought it used six months earlier—stood there looking like someone just told him his dog died. “It just stopped running on the highway,” he said. I popped the hood, pulled the … Read more
Quick Answer: An interference engine has pistons and valves that occupy the same space at different times. If the timing belt or chain fails, they collide—often destroying the engine. A non-interference engine has clearance, so a broken belt usually just leaves you stranded, not with a wrecked motor. Opening: The Day a Timing Belt Saved … Read more
It was a cold December morning back in 2018, pouring rain on the interstate outside Portland. This young guy pulls into the shop on a flatbed, his 2005 Honda Accord soaked and looking defeated. He tells me he was doing about 65 mph in the fast lane when the engine just quit—no warning, no weird … Read more
It was a scorching July afternoon when Sarah’s 2015 Honda Accord rolled into my bay with the AC blasting—or at least trying to. The compressor was cycling on and off, the battery light flickered occasionally, and she mentioned a “weird squealing” that started three days ago but went away. I popped the hood, and there … Read more
Quick Answer: Most serpentine belt noise—whether a squeal on cold start or a chirp at idle—is caused by belt slip, improper tension, or a misaligned or failing pulley. The belt itself is often the messenger, not the culprit. Fixing the noise means identifying why the belt is slipping, not just replacing it. That Morning Squeal … Read more
From a shop that’s swapped 1,200+ belts—here’s exactly how to do it right the first time, save $180–$350, and avoid the “tow-of-shame” home. Quick Answer Expect 45–90 minutes, a $28–$65 belt, and basic hand tools. If the belt is cracked, glazed, or squealing, replace it before it snaps and leaves you stranded. Routing diagram under-hood … Read more
It was pouring rain last Tuesday when Sarah rolled into my shop with her 2016 Honda Accord. Water dripping from her soaked jacket, she described that awful timing chain tensioner noise – you know the one: a rapid-fire tick-tick-tick-tick that sounds like marbles in a blender. “It started after I hit a pothole on I-95,” … Read more
Quick Answer: Most modern BMW engines use a timing chain designed to last the life of the engine—but on certain models, especially early BMW N20 timing chain setups, design flaws and oiling issues cause premature wear. If you hear a cold-start rattle or see timing-related fault codes, stop driving and inspect the chain … Read more
Quick Answer: How Much Does It Cost? The Bottom Line: In 2025, the average timing chain replacement cost at a professional shop ranges from $1,500 to $4,000+. If you are tackling this yourself, parts typically run between $300 and $800, but specialized tools can add another $200 to $500 to your initial investment. The Real Shop Experience: A Tuesday … Read more
Quick Answer: Timing chain problems typically manifest as metallic rattling noises during cold starts, rough idling, or illuminated check engine lights with codes like P0016/P0017. Replacement requires 10-14 hours for DIYers and costs $1,200-$2,500 professionally. Critical failure points include tensioner wear and guide rail fractures. Opening: The 3 A.M. Breakdown That Changed Everything Rain lashed against the shop windows at 2:47 A.M. when Sarah brought in her 2016 … Read more