A customer, at Ringwood-based Performance Unlimited, had their car towed in the other day because the engine wouldn’t run. The damage to internal parts of the engine were extensive and, unfortunately for the customer, avoidable. The car’s timing belt broke causing a chain reaction of internal-engine damage.

Denny Norton, the owner of Performance Unlimited, feels bad for the customer. More than that, he began warning friends and other customers about the importance of replacing their timing belts before they break.

“Generally, you should replace the timing belt after 100,000 miles,” said Norton. “It is expensive. However, if it breaks, there’s a good chance it will do damage inside your engine. It’s not uncommon to have a bill that runs as high as several thousand dollars.”

Timing belts are made of a composite material. That the material can last as long as 100,000 miles speaks highly of it’s durability (with some cars, it’s recommended that you replace the belt after 60,000 miles – Norton recommends checking your owner’s manual). And yet, even something that durable has a breaking point.

The problem is that the timing belt synchronizes moving parts inside the engine – the crankshaft, camshaft, lifters and valves, for instance. If the timing belt breaks, pistons can come up while valves are coming down. That’s not how they’re designed to operate. If they meet, considering the high revolutions of the engine, there is more than a little potential for significant damage.

When the valve hits the piston it can damage the top of the piston. At the same time, the piston is driving the valve back where it can break or bend thereby causing damage to the head and other parts in its path. In any case, it’s not good.

Your owner’s manual will recommend when to perform maintenance procedures, such as changing the oil but also including the timing belt. It’s a good idea to follow the advice you find on the pages of your owner’s manual, particularly in regard to the timing belt. Yes, this is a more expensive maintenance procedure. However, ignoring this maintenance step can cost a lot more in the long run.

Performance Unlimited is at 5415 Austin Court, Ringwood. You can reach Performance Unlimited by calling 815-728-0343 or by visiting www.4performanceunlimited.com.