We love our engines
Quick Answer: Most Japanese cars (Honda, Toyota, Nissan) equipped with a rubber ** japanese car timing belt ** need replacement every **90,000 to 105,000 miles** or every **7 to 10 years**, whichever comes first. Always verify your specific year and model in the owner’s manual. The Tuesday That Changed Everything It was a rainy Tuesday … Read more
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 rainy Tuesday in mid-November, the kind of damp morning that makes every old bolt in the shop feel like it’s been welded shut by time. A customer towed in a 2012 Honda Odyssey with a “no-start” condition. As soon as I pulled the upper timing cover, I saw it: a shredded … Read more
Quick Answer: Most Nissan models from the late 1990s through early 2000s use a timing belt, but starting around 2002–2004, many switched to timing chains—including the Altima and Maxima. Always verify your engine type before assuming you need a belt replacement. For belt-equipped models like the 1995–2001 Altima (KA24DE or VG30E engines), replacement is critical … Read more
It was a humid Tuesday morning in July when a customer rolled in with her 2008 Acura MDX—105,000 miles on the clock, immaculate interior, and zero service records. “I just need an oil change,” she said. I popped the hood and immediately saw the original factory timing belt staring back at me through the inspection … Read more
Quick Answer Typical Cost Range: DIY: $200-$400 | Professional: $600-$1,200 Replacement Interval: 60,000-100,000 miles (check your model year) Critical Warning: Interference engine – belt failure = bent valves Opening: The $3,000 Lesson Rain was sheeting down on the shop bay doors that Tuesday morning when Sarah rolled in with her 2008 Mazda 3. “It’s making … Read more
It was 7:15 on a Tuesday morning in early March, the kind of cold that makes your knuckles crack just looking at a wrench. A customer had towed in his wife’s 2013 Ford Escape, convinced the engine was toast. The tow truck driver and I both knew the sound before we popped the hood—that distinctive, … Read more
Quick Answer For most Subaru models with the 2.5L engine (1996-2012/2014 for non-turbo), the subaru timing belt replacement interval is every 105,000 miles or 10 years. Because Subaru 2.5L engines are interference engines, a snapped belt will cause catastrophic engine damage, bending valves instantly. Professional replacement typically costs between $900 and $1,500, while a DIY … Read more
Quick Answer: Most manufacturers recommend replacing your timing belt between 60,000 and 105,000 miles, or every 5 to 7 years—whichever comes first. However, exact timing belt replacement interval varies significantly by make, model, and engine. Always consult your owner’s manual or a trusted mechanic to avoid catastrophic engine failure. The $3,200 Lesson I’ll Never Forget … Read more