Timing Belt Replacement Service in Arvada, CO
If your car has a timing belt, it has a replacement interval — and that interval is not a suggestion. A snapped timing belt on an interference engine destroys valves, pistons, and sometimes the head. We do timing belt services on all makes, but we do a lot of them on Subaru EJ motors at the 105,000-mile mark.
What's Involved
A timing belt service isn't just the belt. We replace everything in the timing system that wears at the same rate, because the labor to access these parts is the expensive part — you don't want to do it twice.
- Timing belt replacement
- Hydraulic tensioner and idler pulleys
- Water pump (it's driven by the timing belt on most engines)
- Thermostat and gasket (while we're in there)
- Cam and crank seals if they're leaking
- Coolant flush and refill
On Subaru EJ25 engines (Outback, Forester, Legacy, Impreza, WRX), the timing belt is due at 105,000 miles or 105 months — whichever comes first. The job takes about 5-6 hours and we do several of these every month. We've got the process dialed in and we know the common gotchas — like cam seals that look fine but start leaking 5,000 miles after a belt service if you don't replace them preventively.
Other common timing belt cars we service: Honda/Acura V6 engines, Toyota 3.0L and 3.3L V6, and Hyundai/Kia 2.0T motors.
Signs You Need Timing Belt Service
- You're at or past the manufacturer's recommended mileage interval (often 90,000-105,000 miles)
- The belt is more than 7 years old regardless of mileage
- Ticking or slapping noise from the front of the engine at idle
- Visible coolant leak from the water pump area (front-center of the engine)
- Oil leak from the front cam seals
Why It Matters
On an interference engine — which includes most Subaru, Honda, and Toyota timing belt engines — a broken belt lets the pistons hit the valves. That bends valves, can crack pistons, and turns a $1,200-$1,800 belt service into a $4,000-$6,000 engine rebuild or replacement.
Timing belts don't give much warning. They don't stretch or slip — they just break. The replacement interval exists because the rubber degrades with heat and age. If you're past due, don't wait for symptoms. There usually aren't any.
Questions about your timing belt service?
Call or send us a message. We'll give you a straight answer and an honest estimate before any work starts.