Hopefully our FAQ section has answered some of the questions you may have about cambelts. However, if you would like more information, we have the produced the following guide and video to help you understand the subject in greater detail.
A cambelt is a rubber belt responsible for driving the upper and lower part of your car engine.
It synchronises the rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft(s) as well as opening and closing the pistons which allows air into the engine. In other engines the cambelt may also be responsible for driving components such as the water and oil pump.
Problems and Repair
A snapped cambelt is uncommon however tension issues are more widespread.
If the belt is too loose it will end up whipping around inside the engine which will cause a variety of knock on effects and if the belt is too tight it will put a strain on the bearings of the cogs it's fitted to.
A tight belt will cause a whining noise to be emitted from the engine so if you hear this sound make sure to book a repair as soon as possible. You shouldn’t wait until this happens though, as the damage caused by a faulty cambelt will end up costing you even more money in repairs.
Cost
As you will see in the FAQ section and video above, the cost of a cambelt repair can vary depending on the vehicle and garage. The biggest cost associated with this job type will be the labour itself.
This is because the parts are based deep within the engine and getting to them takes time. The components themselves won’t cost you a huge amount as they are not complex so don’t be surprised to see labour costs making up the biggest part of the bill.
Even if your cambelt doesn’t completely break its important to keep an eye on the component as per the instructions provided by your cars manufacturer, if you leave it for too long, the belt could snap and cause catastrophic engine failure.
The cambelt will need replacing at some point, usually around the 30,000 – 50,000 mile mark but make sure to consult the vehicles owner’s manual to double check as it may vary depending on the vehicle.
Finding a mechanic you can trust to do a good job and charge a fair price, is not always easy, which is why we've simplified the process.
We work with a network of 8,500 mechanics and garages across the UK so we can find competitive steering and suspension repair deals for you.
To find the best cambelt service available in your region;
- Enter your car registration number
- Give us a few details about your car and your requirements
- We’ll send you a great selection of quotes from mechanics and garages in your area
You can then compare the quotes and read reviews from previous customers to find the best deal in your area, before booking the cambelt repair online.
