A cambelt is a few hundred pounds of maintenance. A snapped cambelt is an engine. We fit complete kits — belt, tensioners, idlers and where sensible the water pump — with a full parts and labour warranty.
The timing belt is a toothed rubber belt that links the crankshaft to the camshaft(s), keeping the valves opening and closing in exact time with the pistons. It runs every second the engine does, under tension, through heat cycles — and rubber doesn't last forever.
Belts fail through age as much as mileage: the teeth crack, or a tensioner or water-pump bearing seizes and shreds the belt. On most modern "interference" engines, when the belt lets go the pistons hit the open valves. Bent valves, damaged pistons, sometimes a wrecked head — a preventive job becomes an engine replacement.
Replacement is governed by two factors, age and mileage, whichever comes first. Intervals vary a lot by manufacturer — anywhere from 4 years / 60,000 miles to 10 years / 100,000 miles. Give us your registration and we'll look up the interval for your exact engine and tell you where you stand. If the car's history is unknown and it's over five years old, assume it's due.
Every cambelt is quoted for your specific car — parts and labour itemised, on your phone, before we start.
Age or mileage, whichever comes first — typically every 4 to 6 years or 60,000 to 100,000 miles depending on the manufacturer. Give us your registration and we'll look up the interval for your engine.
On most modern engines the pistons hit the open valves, bending them and often damaging the head. A few hundred pounds of preventive work becomes an engine rebuild or replacement.
Usually, yes. On many engines the belt drives the water pump, and a seized pump will destroy a new belt. Doing both together saves paying the labour twice.
Chains are designed to last the life of the engine, but tensioners and guides can wear. A rattle on start-up is the usual sign. We can check it.
