What does the cambelt do?
The cambelt (or timing belt) is an important engine component in many vehicles. Its role is to keep the engine’s camshaft and crankshaft in time with each other, allowing the engine to run correctly.
Learn more about the cambelt >
How long does a cambelt last for?
Most cambelts are made out of a durable rubber material. This allows the cambelt to last longer. The cambelt is subject to powerful engine forces and heat, meaning it will need to be replaced periodically. We recommend that you get your cambelt replaced every 100,000 km.
What happens when a cambelt fails?
A bent valve caused by a snapped cambelt.
The effect of a snapped cambelt depends on your vehicle’s engine configuration. There are two main types of engine configurations – interference and non-interference.
Interference – In an interference engine, the valves and pistons share the same place in the engine cylinders. If the cambelt is to snap, the valves and pistons will start to hit each other, causing serious engine damage.
Non-interference – In a non-interference engine, the valves and pistons do not occupy the same space. If the cambelt snaps, the engine will stop working but won’t sustain any serious damage. Once the cambelt is replaced, the engine will work normally.
What are the symptoms of a failing cambelt?
Misfiring engine – A misfire occurs when your vehicle’s engine misses a process in its combustion cycle, causing unburnt fuel to go into the exhaust and atmosphere. A worn/damaged timing belt may cause your engine to misfire due to engine components running out of time with each other.
Car not starting – If the cambelt has completely snapped, the car will not be able to start. This is because the crankshaft and camshaft will not be able to operate without a functioning cambelt.
Rough idling – The cambelt wraps around gears with metal teeth attached to them. These teeth make contact with the engine crankshaft and camshaft, keeping them in time. If the cambelt jumps a tooth your engine will have at the wrong engine timing and your engine will run roughly, especially while idling and accelerating.
How much is a cambelt replacement?
The cost of a cambelt replacement can vary. This is due to different vehicle types requiring different amounts of labour. For smaller cars with less powerful engines and a single camshaft, a cambelt is generally less expensive. This is because these vehicles are easier to disassemble. For twin cam or quad cam engines the cambelt replacement costs are higher due to higher parts and labour cost.
Replacing a cambelt is always cheaper than repairing/replacing an engine that suffered damage due to a snapped cambelt. It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to replacing the cambelt.
Cambelt/Timing Belt Repair & Replacement in Hamilton
Do you think your vehicle is in need of a cambelt replacement? If so, we can help.
Our skilled and qualified mechanics are able to assess the wear on your vehicle’s cambelt, determining if it is due for a replacement. We can then provide excellent cambelt/timing belt replacement services.
For a fast, high-quality cambelt/timing belt replacement that you can rely on, contact Grimmer Motors today!