Cambelt change service

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£426.76

Average price for a cambelt change

Costs for replacing a cambelt/timing belt

The cost of a cambelt replacement (timing belt) can vary depending on the make and model of your car. The average cost for cambelt replacement when booked at WhoCanFixMyCar is £426.76.

Below, you can find the average price for cambelt replacement for a range of popular car makes.

Car MakeAverage Price
BMW£1,016.22
MINI£661.32
Mercedes£653.65
Nissan£440.31
Toyota£421.72
Volkswagen£383.10
Ford£377.95
Citroen£372.46
Renault£368.23
Audi£367.57
Peugeot£367.40
Vauxhall£366.90

What is a cambelt on a car?

Cambelt change, otherwise known as timing belt replacement, is an essential repair if and when the component is damaged, torn or snapped. Your car’s cambelt is an integral part of its engine, made from sturdy composites like Kevlar and polyurethane, with teeth on it that’s designed to keep the camshaft and crankshaft in time.

A snapped or torn cambelt can cause engine damage and sometimes issues with the head gasket if left untreated. To avoid getting the car into more trouble, it’s important not to put off changing your cambelt when your car needs it.

The main job of the cambelt or timing belt is to control the timing of your car's internal combustion engines. Cambelts will manage the timing and order of when the valves of the cylinder should open or close. If the timing is not right even by seconds, then the valves, pistons or other engine parts can become damaged. It is often cost-effective to replace your water pump at the same time so don't be surprised if our mechanics suggest it.

How do you know your cambelt needs changing?

There are many reasons why you could have a faulty cambelt or timing belt. A broken cambelt can cause dire engine damage, therefore it is crucial to keep the timing belt in good operating condition. Check the belt during routine maintenance and services and always ensure that the belt is changed at the manufacturer's recommended change intervals.

Most manufacturers recommend either a time or mileage-based cambelt change, depending on which comes first. Variation does exist between manufacturers and engines, which ranges from 40,000 miles up to 100,000 miles, and from four years up to six years.

  • Cambelt change

    The average cost of a cambelt change booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £426.76.

    A damaged or snapped cambelt will cause damage to the car engine if it’s not replaced.

    Can include
    • Diagnosis
    • Cambelt repair
    • Cambelt replacement
  • Water pump repair

    The average cost of a water pump repair when booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £272.67.

    A leak of any liquid from your car is a sign that you might have a damaged water pump. A water pump repair is a standard job that doesn't take long to carry out.

    Can include
    • Visual inspection and diagnosis
    • Water pump repair
  • Cambelt & Water Pump Replacement

    The average cost of a cambelt & water pump replacement booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £468.99.

    The cambelt and water pump is essential for managing the timing & cooling of the engine.

    Can include
    • Water Pump
    • Cambelt
  • Mobile mechanic

    The average cost of a mobile mechanic booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £81.64.

    A mobile mechanic will visit you at your home or workplace and can carry out a wide range of different repairs. If the repair is more complex, the mechanic will collect your car, take it to a garage to be repaired, and drop it off when it's finished. The exact cost of a mobile mechanic will depend on the repair you need.

    Can include
    • Home visit
    • Servicing
    • Tyre change
    • Oil change
    • Recommended repairs

Reasons for needing your cambelt changed:

1. Broken or snapped cambelt

A broken cambelt can be caused by a straight cord line rupture, where ther belt was crimped before it was fitted. Or it might be due to a raffled cord line, where a foreign object has wedged itself between the belt and pulley which breaks the tensile cords. The belt might have been twisted over 90° before fitment. Installation of a timing belt (cambelt) at the correct tension is vital. Cars which are usually driven in warmer countries with dryer climates will often have to have their cambelts replaced more frequently than those driven in more temperate climates. This is because the cambelt is made from rubber, and rubber tends to stretch when it gets warmer and then contracts as it cools down. Extremes of the two temperatures can cause the rubber to develop minor cracks in the outer surface of the belt.

If your cambelt was broken or snapped, then the type of engine your car has will determine the collateral damage. If it is an interference engine, then it can cause severe valve damage and damage to engine parts. If it is a noninterference engine, then it won’t suffer that much damage.

2. Cambelt tooth shear

Cambelt tooth shear can be caused by low tension; this includes seizure of the driven part or misalignment. Misalignment is one of the primary causes of cambelt failure. If there is too much tooth wear, or the tooth wear is uneven, this can all contribute to cambelt tooth shear.

3. Cambelt tooth wear

Cambelt tooth wear can be caused by what is known as ‘tooth skipping’, where your cambelt is under-tensioned and ultimately ‘skips’ some of the required teeth. Under-tensioning can also cause excessive or uneven tooth wear and excessive drive noise so use a tension gauge to set the correct tension on those timing belts!

4. Oil leaks leading to cambelt replacement

Oil can meddle with the cambelt. It can get in the middle of the belt’s teeth and can cause the belt to slip and slide and even move out of place completely. If you detect any oil leaking from your engine then you should get this seen as soon as possible as it could cause further harm to your car.

5. Water leaks leading to cambelt replacement

Water leaks will have a comparable effect as oil leaks on your cambelt. The impact can be made harsher if the water which is seeping has been mingled with antifreeze. If you see that your car is leaking water from an odd place, have it checked over by your local mechanic.

6. Older belts

Belts which were installed to earlier cars have angular, trapezoid sculpted teeth. Modern car belts have curved teeth which are more tolerant and wear out less quickly.

7. Infrequent driving

The cambelt can come to be stiff if the vehicle is not driven very frequently and this can make it weaker. Cars which are driven occasionally will often need to have their timing belt changed after less miles than cars which are driven consistently.

8. Cambelt wear and tear

The cambelt can wear out throughout the lifestyle of the car. It is highly recommended that you take your car to a garage near you to get your car regularly serviced. Always abide by the manufacturer’s servicing schedule to ensure problems can be checked before they get worse.

Cambelt replacement and repairs

Find out about your cambelt and some common repairs

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What are the warning signs of cambelt failure?

All car parts go through wear and tear. And the cambelt isn’t excluded from this. At some point in your car ownership history, it is possible that you will need to change the cambelt

There are some obvious warning signs for when your cambelt is going faulty, and we’ve compiled a list of the tip signs to look out for:

Top warning signs for when a cambelt needs replacing include:

1. Loud noise coming from the car when it is running

A loud noise indicates something is wrong with your car. But it might not yet be the cambelt that needs attention! The noises related to the cambelt could be squealing, hissing, rattling or rumbling when you initially start the car. A loose belt will result in the squealing noise, and this is one of the first signs that the cambelt needs to be replaced.

2. A faulty or damaged cambelt can stop your car from starting

Of course, there are numerous reasons why your car might not be starting - but one thing that a faulty cambelt can lead to is your car refusing to fire up. Why does this happen? Well, the reason for this non-start is because the belt is needed for the camshaft to rotate the crankshaft turns. If you’re a little technical, and know about cars, you might be able to diagnose this issue by watching the camshaft while turning the crankshaft. A broken belt will result in the camshaft not turning at all!

Find a mobile timing belt specialist near you to replace your cambelt

If you are looking for a mobile cambelt specialist, then the good news is, there are mobile technicians nowadays that can carry out cambelt replacements from your home. Many people opt for a mobile cambelt change service from their homes for greater convenience, or if they find themselves unable to get to a local garage.

However, if the mobile mechanic finds that your timing belt problem needs specialist equipment then they may ask you to take the car to a local specialist garage to carry out the repair there.

What are some common cambelt issues?

If you find any of these warning signs then the cambelt may be having issues: 

  • Ticking noise coming from the engine

  • Engine won't turn over

  • Engine misfires

  • Oil leaking from in front of the motor

How often should a cambelt be replaced?

A cambelt must be replaced as recommended by the manufacturer, which is often done at intervals usually from 60,000 miles to 105,000 miles (from 96,000 km to 168,000 km).

How much does a cambelt replacement cost?

The cost of cambelt replacement  can vary depending on your car. Average cost for cambelt replacement work is £426.76.

Does cambelt replacement come under your warranty?

There may be a chance your cambelt replacement can be covered under your warranty, but it depends on the manufacturer’s guidelines. Plus, warranty term lengths differ but a typical example is three years or 60,000 miles – whichever you arrive at first.

Is cambelt replacement covered by insurance?

The details of your insurance policy will tell you whether cambelt repairs are covered.cambelt replacements are generally covered provided that they have been replacing the cambelt in accordance with the manufacturers schedules. 

How long does it take to replace a cambelt?

A cambelt change is a complicated, labour-intensive procedure that can take 4–8 hours, reliant on the vehicle make and model. But changing the cambelt before it breaks will help you avoid engine damage and save you money in the long run.

Where can I get my car’s cambelt changed?

Here at WhoCanFixMyCar we work with a network of over 15,000 mechanics and garages across the UK, with many of these specialists able to replace cambelts. Simply enter your registration and postcode to retrieve quotes from garages near you.

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