The cambelt or the timing belt are essentially the same thing. The timing belt or chain - depending on your car model - controls the timing of your car’s combustion engine, so if the timing is off for the cylinder valves to open or close, then the engine parts can become seriously damaged. Your car simply cannot work properly if the timing belt is not working efficiently.
Depending on your vehicle you may have a timing belt (rubber) or chain (metal); this will be in your owner's manual. You should also check the manufacturer’s recommended timing belt/chain change interval as this can vary significantly from 4 to 6 years or 40,000 to 100,000 miles. When getting your car serviced, the mechanic will often advise you on when the change will be needed. We recommend that you get your car serviced annually to keep an eye on any timing belt issues. Through our database, we can find a garage near you to book in a service for your car today.
Often the timing belt will snap with no warning, however the following are some signs to look out for to ensure this doesn’t happen to you:
If you notice any of the above, it is best to get your timing belt checked over by a specialist.
Other than old age these are some of the main causes of timing belt problems:
The above, although small problems, can lead to you having the added expense of a timing belt replacement, highlighting another reason as to why you should get this checked over regularly.
The average cost of a timing belt change in the UK is £350 but can go up to as much as £1,200, so this will vary depending on the make and model of your car. Keep in mind that a mechanic may recommend changing the water pump/coolant at the same time as the timing belt, this may increase your overall cost.
Changing the timing belt is quite labour intensive and can take anywhere between 4-8 hours, depending on the vehicle.
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