Cambelt fitting

Cambelt installation proccess and costs

The cambelt in your vehicle is one of the most critical pieces for the correct running of the engine. It keeps the cam and crank in line so the engine runs as it should and makes sure everything happens at the right time when required.

The cambelt controls the opening and closing of all the valves and also controls the up and down movement of the pistons so it is all in sync so the pistons don't damage the valves.

Although the cambelt can typically last quite a few years, typically anywhere from 5-10 years depending on the manufacturer, like any other wear and tear part on a vehicle the timing belt eventually wears out.

Typically the cambelt can either crack or they can stretch causing the timing to go out of line, regularly replacing them prevents this.

In the worst case, it could also snap completely which will also do a large amount of engine damage.

Cambelts must be changed a the manufacturer's recommended mileage/age to prevent any issues.

Typically cambelts are replaced anywhere from 40000 to 100000 miles or 5-10 years whichever comes first and this is dependent on the manufacturer of the vehicle.

The cost of a cambelt replacement on your vehicle largely depends on what vehicle it is as some cambelts on smaller vehicles have easier access whereas some on larger vehicles can be much more difficult.

The average cost is typically anywhere from £350-£800 depending on the vehicle and will typically take anywhere from 3-6 hours depending on the cambelt. If you are near Leighton Buzzard contact us about cambelt replacement for your vehicle.

Although this may seem like a large cost for replacing the timing belt, it is a low amount relative to what it will cost to get the engine repaired if the cambelt does end up eventually failing.

This is why It is very important to know whether your vehicle is a cambelt or timing chain engine as the maintenance will differ depending on what type of engine you have.

Does your timing belt need replacing?

Call our Garage near Leighton Buzzard for a FREE quote

01296 688256

My car has a timing chain is this the same as a timing belt?

Your vehicle will either have a timing chain or a timing belt it typically won't have both but in some cases they do. Both the belt and chain work to keep the crankshaft and camshaft turning in sync in order to make sure that the valves open and close when they should.

The main difference between them is what they are made out of. Typically a timing belt is made out of a rubber-like material similar to Kevlar, whereas a timing chain is made out of metal to form a chain instead.

Typically a cambelt is used as this is a cheaper system for car manufacturers to make. These types of engines are also typically quite a bit quieter than a timing chain engine although it depends on the manufacturer.

The main reason that a timing chain system would be used over a cambelt is that typically when well maintained they have a much longer lifespan.

This is because they are made of stronger materials that are much less likely to break. They don't break very often and when they do decide to break they will very often show some warning signs before this does happen like it may rattle a bit louder indicating there is an issue whereas a belt can just snap without any warning signs.

A chain should last most of the life of an engine as long as it is looked after and there aren't any other problems that occur without being fixed.

Does your timing belt need replacing?

Call our Garage near Leighton Buzzard for a FREE quote

01296 688256

Frequently asked questions

What is a cambelt?

The cambelt or timing belt is used in order to control the timing of when the valves open and close by making the crankshaft and camshaft rotate together through a belt which is made of very durable materials such as kevlar as it has to undergo a lot of strain.

What does a cambelt do?

Like most other parts on a car, the cambelt does not last a lifetime and will need replacing at the manufacturer's recommended intervals. If not this can lead to costly damage and repairs if the belt snaps.

Over time, as the timing belt wears more and more, the belt will eventually begin to stretch and this will mean that the belt will wear at an even faster rate. Even though this is not a cheap item to replace it is essential to change this on time to prevent the cambelt from coming loose which can cause the engine to run rough. On many vehicles, the cambelt also runs the water pump so it is recommended to get this replaced at the same time. Issues with the water pump can also cause cambelt issues. Sometimes the water pump bearing may go and this will cause a noise whilst the engine is running.

The belt keeps the engine running efficiently so it is very important that they are fitted properly and at the correct tightness otherwise this can create running issues with the car. Some cars are also run with the use of a timing chain that is instead made of metal and lubricated with oil, this rarely needs changing on any vehicle unless there is a problem that has led to premature wear

Why is it important to get your cambelt changed at regular intervals?

Over time the cambelt will wear and stretch so it is best to make sure you get your cambelt changed at the correct interval is important to reduce the chance of the cambelt failing which could lead to costly damages to the engine if it does break.

If the belt does manage to break then this could cause the engine's pistons to smash into the valves causing a lot of damage internally to the engine which will then need a full rebuild. On some engines, a simple check for cambelt wear is fine as the belt covers can sometimes be easily accessed in order to assess the wear of the belt without taking everything apart.

Cambelts are recommended to be changed every 4-10 years or 40000/100000 miles depending on which comes first and also on the car but should be changed in accordance to manufacturers specification as every car is different and will need changing at different intervals. If you are unsure on whether your cambelt needs changing then give us a call on 01296 688256 to get it checked out near Leighton Buzzard. When replacing the cambelt it is also recommended to change the water pump at the same time if driven by the belt and also the auxiliary belt as they can be done at the same time saving on labour cost.

Can a timing belt cause a misfire?

Yes a timing belt can cause your engine to misfire. This is because you could have the timing be out by one tooth which would cause both a lack of power and engine misfires

Can a timing belt cause a car not to start?

Yes a cambelt failure could cause the engine not to start, This could either be because the belt has brokem or it could be because the engine is mistimed completely.

How long does a timing belt last?

This depends on which manufacturer designed the system but most cambelt system replacement intervals are from 5-10 years typically.

Why is it expensive to replace a cambelt?

Typically a cambelt will set you back quite a bit of money to get this replaced. The reason for this is because it is a job which involves a lot of labour to access the cambelt.

Typically the cambelt is in an awkward position to access so quite a lot of things need to be removed in order to change the timing belt. Typically you will also be working in a tighter spot so changing the belt itself can sometimes be very difficult.