How to Check a Timing Belt or Timing Chain in Your Car

Timing belt inspection. How to check a timing belt in your car DIY with Scotty Kilmer. How to check timing chain. How to tell if the timing belt or timing chain is worn, rattling, or close to failure. It's a relatively expensive job replacing them, so you don't want to spend a bunch of money for nothing. DIY car repair with Scotty Kilmer, an auto mechanic for the last 43 years.

⬇️Things I used in this video:
8. Common Sense

🛠Check out my Garage to see what I use every day and highly recommend:

❗️Check out the Scotty store:

👉Follow me on Instagram for the latest news, funnies, and exclusive info / pics:

Consider subscribing and press the bell 🛎 icon to be notified of all new videos.

Scotty Kilmer is a participant in the Amazon Influencer Program.
#savagescotty

[scottykilmer]

Things I used in this video:
8. Common Sense

🛠Check out my Garage to see what I use every day and highly recommend:

❗️Check out the Scotty store:

👉Follow me on Instagram for the latest news, funnies, and exclusive info / pics:

[scottykilmer]

the light fires every time the spark plug fires. that's the ignition timing on the engine, and when shone on the timing mark on the engine, it shows if timing is correct or not

[Bushblockbaby]

im studying to become an auto tech I buy cars mostly old Hondas and Toyotas and buicks  your videos help a lot its surprising how little people view this I feel like everyone should know at least something abt cars

[henrik-josefsson]

I like your voice man, you could be the lead-singer in a rock-band !!!

[scottykilmer]

You can try, often using the inductive coil pick up of the timing light will flash IF you put the pick up on top of a coil on plug assembly on the engine. But if not, they make adaptors for checking coil on plug systems.

[andomadsen]

Hey Scotty,
Young Canadian lassie on a mission to find her next car after her 2000 Civic was totalled by B&E damage. We have amazing mechanics like yourself whom we've been dealing with as a family for the last 30 years, and they have given us amazing advice. I'm off tomorrow to walk a lot and have a gander at some 6-8 year old Toyota's and Mazda 3's. 
So aside from summarizing my story for you - I want to say thanks. I give your videos a 10/10 for style and allaying my fears of screwing up in a search for a car. 
Greetings from the land of Metric Measurements!

[robertparkes]

I would love Scotty to look after my cars !!!

[scottykilmer]

yes, works on any model, if tensioner is worn to the max and timing goes off, time for a new belt

[xTRVLNMANx]

Love those M54 engines in that BMW. Chains are so reliable over belts. Much better to spend the money on replacing the belt before it snaps and shreds the valves than spending at least $1500 for fixing the heads.

[AsiAzzy]

Very informative brief easy to understand videos.

I have one mention for this video: Strobe lamps are connected to the spark plug wire, but the delay angle of ignition CHANGES while reving up the engine so it's normal to see the mark go away from the normal position.
And if you add some cam phasers (bmw vanos and other names for each manufacturer) things get complicated.

Plus: Most modern cars do not have ignition wires to hook the lamp. Ignition coils are directly on top of spark plugs.

[jakestech]

I replaced the Timing Chain on my Toyota Pickup, it was one hell of a job but it was one fun experience

[scottykilmer]

no, it works, and chains can stretch a ton before pistons will hit valves

[richards]

Thanks for a clear and precise presentation - a mechanic told me you cannot check the status of a timing belt. I suspected he just wanted money to change it!

[KingCorvette]

Scotty, your videos are always extremely helpful. My Kia Spectra has just hit the mileage where I need to inspect/replace the timing belt, but I've been too scared to open it up just to check it. This sounds perfect.

[Iaapwm]

Always look forward to your intro, Great Thanks from Lismore NSW Australia.

[GlennnD]

I'm watching these video's of Scotty a lot last three days. Great work man !  It's clear, no bullshitting around. Just straight to the point.

[frankfisher]

I prefer a timing chain, lasts longer more durable. old school is still the best way as far as mechanical operation.

[craigdelange]

Thank you for sharing, I have an Alfa GT and reading how to do it they said I needed a TDC and locking kit etc but this looks much easier and I trust your experience to do it this way. Thank you so much what you share really does help so many people.

[dmcadik]

I can't see where u placed the marking at. Could u edit the video to show where

[spelunkerd]

Nice to see there's still a role for old school technology.