On 10/15/2013 9:11 AM, George Leppla wrote:
> On 10/15/2013 7:41 AM, wrote:


>
> We are telling our age when we talk about "timing belts". Back in the
> day there were separate belts for water pump, generator (later
> alternator), air conditioning and power steering. Things evolved and
> some engines were designed so that one belt ran more than one item.
>
> Now it is a "serpentine" belt and in many cases, one belt runs
> everything. It breaks... nothing runs. I replace it every 50,000 miles.
>
> George L


No, timing belts are not the same as the serpentine belt. They are
internal and turn the camshaft. Most engines have timing chains that do
not need replacement, but many have internal belts.
http://www.gates.com/brochure.cfm?br...cation_id=3487
If you have an interference engine and the belt brakes, the valve smash
the tops of the piston and the engine is pretty much trash.