5 Things to Know Before Buying Automotive Timing Belts

14, Jul. 2025

 

Things to consider when choosing a timing belt kit | Industrias Dolz

When buying a timing belt kit there are some questions: Should I replace the water pump at the same time as the timing belt?

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The water pump is directly adjacent to the timing belt in most engines. Because getting to the timing belt is such a labor-intensive job, it’s a good idea to take this opportunity to replace the water pump at the same time because of the effort required to get down to either one of these items. Besides, both of these items tend to have a similar lifetime. For this reason, doing this labor-intensive job at the same time is the smart play.

But… What happens If I don’t replace the water pump?

Not replacing all the components during a timing belt change means if the water pump does go at a later point, you will have to pay for the same labour twice because probably the water pump has worn out because of use anyway, and will need replacing sooner than later.

That’s why at Industrias Dolz we always recommend to get both, the timing belt and the water pump, replaced at the same time.

The advantage of this dual replacement is to offer the best long-lasting repair while preventing risks of engine breakage. And last, but not least, more savings for your pocket.

Let’s see below this three things to consider when choosing a timing belt and water pump replacement:

  • Half of interventions: the vehicle is immobilized less times.
  • Savings for the end user (On average, 5 hours of labor less)
  • Better repair, since each component of the timing belt system is replaced at the same time.

How to choose the right timing belt set for your car

First and foremost, do your research. There are some key features that increase the likelihood of your new timing belt kit becoming a successful choice.

Don’t hesitate, choose an all-inclusive kit. It’s better to know that your timing belt kit contains all components you need for its renewal. Not just the timing belt itself.

Another factor to consider before ordering is the part number. Make sure the kit is the correct one and it fits with your vehicle.

Aspects to consider when choosing a timing belt kit

A new timing belt kit gives you peace of mind that your vehicle will run optimally for a long time. For that, there are some aspects you should closely look at to make sure you have an excellent result. With the proper parts, your engine will last for many years.

Below are some of the most important points you should consider before choosing a timing belt kit.

Manufacturing

Experience and capabilities are two important aspects to consider when choosing the right manufacturer of your timing belt kit.

It’s important also that they have the expertise for your specific product. And also other additional supports as technical specifications of the product to identify exactly how the item(s) should turn out, comfort guarantee and quality.

So, as you can see, a manufacturer with years of history can offer you backed by a wide knowledge and many years of experience.

Materials

The quality of the raw materials used in manufacturing distribution kits will be vital for its lifetime, providing extended durability and proper performance. The manufacturer must ensure the materials are acceptable for use because if the products are manufactured with low-quality, they will not stand up and you won’t get the expected result.

Dolz are committed to quality! Let’s see below:

  • WATER PUMPS are designed according to OE specifications.
  • 95% of the range is manufactured with Silicon Carbide Dynamic Seal, that guarantees its optimum tightness and durability. Also, an automatized manufacturing process that guarantees excellent quality.
  • At Industrias Dolz, we are one of the few manufacturers who have die-cast aluminum.
  • TIMING BELT always premium OE quality.
  • Resist temperature variation, water and oil. And optimized lifetime.
  • IDLERS resist temperature variation and vibrations of the engine environment.
  • Usage of high-quality raw materials and grease to ensure efficiency. Besides, tested under the same conditions as per OE specifications.

Original Equipment Parts (OE)

In terms of quality, OE parts are beneficial to the performance of a vehicle.

For more information, please visit Automotive Timing Belts.

Premium OE quality components are engineered and manufactured to the highest standards to perform according to OE vehicle manufacturer intended.

Non-genuine components do not have the same performance guarantees and as a result, due to a low quality the replacement of the elements will take place multiple times over the lifespan of OE quality parts. 

For this reason, at Industrias Dolz we make several inspections at various stages during the OE quality manufacturing process to ensure that our products always meet specifications.

Download our Timing belt kits catalog!

Discover Dolz’s timing belt kit

DOLZ’s range of timing belt kits is now available with and without water pumps. Each Dolz kit includes all the components required for the replacement: water pump and gasket when necessary, OE supplier timing belt, idlers and tensioners matching OE standards, and all components required for the mounting (screws, bolts, and mounting tips when needed). 

Knowledge and experience at your service. With more than 200 distribution kits representing top sales in Europe and a wide range offering 90% coverage of the European fleet.

Features:

With Dolz Kits, you will find two options available: All-include kits with water pump (KD) and the option without water pump (SKD). Both options are manufactured to the same specifications as OE and are guaranteed for 2 years from date of purchase or 50.000 km

Did you miss the DOLZ Kits Unboxing on our Youtube’s Official Channel? Have a look!

Dolz kits include all what you deserve.

Things to Know About Engine Timing Belt - Capitol Toyota

5. What a Timing Belt Does

To get a better idea of what a timing belt does, it's good to take a quick look at the combustion process of a gas engine. Intake valves in the cylinders of an engine open up to allow a mixture of fuel and air into the combustion chamber. The valve closes, and the piston moves up the cylinder to compress the mixture of fuel and air. A spark plug ignites the mixture, and the combustion pushes the piston back down again. An exhaust valve opens up, allowing the waste gases to be pushed from the cylinder as the piston returns to the top of its stroke.

The pistons are attached to a crankshaft, which turns the piston's movements into a rotational output. Camshafts are what open and close the intake and exhaust valves. The timing belt is there to make sure that the movement of the camshaft or camshafts is synchronized with the movement of the crankshaft.

4. Why a Broken Timing Belt Is So Bad

Older vehicles used free-running or non-interference engines. In these engines, the pistons and the valves never occupy the same space in the cylinder. However, most modern engines are interference engines. These engines allow the pistons to create even more compression, producing more powerful and more efficient engines. The trade-off is that the valves and the pistons would occupy the same space in the cylinders if the valves were open and the pistons fully extended.

The synchronization of the crankshaft and camshafts means that this shouldn't happen--but a broken timing belt means that these two parts will no longer be synchronized. In a free-running engine, this would lead to reduced engine power and eventual stopping of the engine entirely. But things are different in interference engines. The pistons are likely to move up and strike the valves while they're still open, and that results in serious damage to a variety of internal engine parts. This is incredibly expensive to repair, and can sometimes cause enough damage that it might make sense to get a new engine--or a new car--rather than repair the damaged one.

3. The Symptoms of a Failing Timing Belt

Sadly, there usually aren't any symptoms that a timing belt is going to fail. There may occasionally be some small signs, like a ticking noise that might come from the engine. However, these symptoms are easy to miss, and hard to properly diagnose (since they can be caused by other problems, as well). Often, a timing belt will simply break with no warning. It's for this reason that it's vital to get your timing belt replaced when your owner's manual recommends. Doing otherwise is taking an awful risk.

2. Why Timing Belt Replacement Is Expensive

The timing belt itself is a simple rubber belt, and you'll find that the component itself isn't all that expensive. But call any place and ask for an estimate on replacing a timing belt and it will be hundreds of dollars. Why is this? Changing the timing belt on a vehicle is a long and labor-intensive process. To replace the timing belt, technicians have to dismantle a significant part of the engine, which takes time. They'll check seals, pulleys, tensioners, and more, before removing the old belt. Afterwards, they'll need to set the proper timing and test it to make sure the belt is working as it should. Finally, they will reassemble the engine. This takes hours of labor, and requires exceptional skill. Because of this, timing belt replacements tend to be some of the more expensive services your car will need. However, it's still cheaper than rebuilding an engine.

1. Not All Vehicles Have Timing Belts

If your owner's manual doesn't let you know when you need to have your timing belt changed, your Toyota may not have a timing belt at all. Instead, it might be equipped with a timing chain. As the name indicates, a timing chain serves the same purpose as a timing belt, but is a metal chain instead of a rubber belt. Unlike timing belts, timing chains likely won't need to be replaced. However, they're also heavier and louder than belts.

Want more information on Audi Timing Belt Replacement? Feel free to contact us.