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Where is the cambelt located?

The cam belt is usually protected by plastic covers to prevent ingress of foreign objects . It is the drive belt connecting camshaft & crankshaft .

Some people get confused between auxiliary drive belts and cam belts.

What are cambelts made from?

Cambelts are usually made from a rubber based compound to provide flexibility with a cord for strength. Rubber deteriorates over time. The belt can be damaged and its service life shortened by incorrect handling.

Getting the timing right

The Cam timing belt provides synchronisation between engine components . If fitted incorrectly the engine may fail to start or run erratically. In some cases major engine damage may occur.

Cambelt replacement can be a complex job requiring specialist skills and dedicated tools.

What causes the cam belt to fail?

• Oil & fluid which leaks onto the belt can be injected into the belt as it runs over the pulleys, this can vary the dimensions of the belt and cause the teeth to not mesh with the pulleys.
• Seizure or collapse of bearings of idler pulleys, pumps etc, can cause the cam belt tension to be lost allowing the belt to jump the teeth on sprockets causing loss of synchronization and usually major damage.
• Misalignment of pulleys can also cause premature belt failure.

How often should the cambelt be replaced?

Follow the manufacturers recommended service interval for belt replacement. Most manufacturers recommend timing belt replacement between 40,000 and 120,000 miles. The driving cycle and operating environment will also affect replacement frequency.

Some vehicles may require service item replacement more frequently. Cam timing belts also deteriorate with age. A vehicle covering low annual mileage may require a timing belt change based on schedule.

How to minimise the chance of cam belt failure

Check for oil and fluid leaks onto the cam belt. Renew failing oil seals and repair leaks .

Replace the cambelt using a repair kit not just a belt.

The repair kit should contain idler bearings and tensioner. We recommend using a kit from the same manufacturer for best component matching.

Some vehicles use the cambelt to drive a water pump etc. Check these components for wear and replace if necessary because if the water pump etc fails this could cause the cambelt to break.

What damage occurs if the cam timing belt fails?

Cam timing belt failure causes loss of synchronisation between pistons and valvetrain. If the engine is of interference design collision will occur between piston and valves, this may in turn cause potential piston /conrod damage, bent or broken valves, cylinder head damage, camshaft damage, etc.

Investigation of the damage caused by a broken timing belt almost always requires engine stripdown.

Vehicle Service History

If you have just purchased a second hand car and are unsure of the vehicle service history it is wise to have the timing belt renewed as a precaution.

Many repairers will provide a reminder to customers when their cambelt needs replacing.

Make sure your car is on level ground. Start the engine, let it run for a short while, then turn it off. While your engine’s still warm, remove the dipstick, and wipe clean with a lint-free rag. Re-insert the dipstick fully, otherwise you’ll get a false reading. Remove the dipstick and check the oil level. If its reading low, top up your oil using the correct grade as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

Note: Do not run your engine if no oil is showing on the dipstick.

Check the radiator coolant level in the plastic reservoir (most cars have them). The level should be between the high and low marks.

With the engine cool, remove the radiator cap and check the level in the radiator. If it’s low, top it up with the correct coolant concentration, as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer (see your owner’s manual). If your car is regularly losing coolant, there may be a leak somewhere, which can cause problems. If necessary Drury Lane Services can take a closer look.

Note: Never check your coolant level when the radiator is hot. Always make sure it’s cool to avoid serious injury or burns. And never mix coolants or inhibitors of different brands.

Look for any frayed, damaged, loose or disconnected wiring. If you find any, notify us immediately. Check your hoses and pipes. Follow all hoses from one end to the other, making sure they are tight and there are no stains that could indicate a leak. Check the top and bottom radiator hoses, heater hoses, fuel lines and any pipes associated with power steering or brakes. If you find any hoses that are very soft, kinked, swollen or cracked ask us for advice.

If your battery has caps, remove them and check that the fluid inside is about 5 mm above the plates, or between the levels as indicated on the battery case. If low, top up with distilled water and avoid overfilling. Replace the caps and make sure the electrical cables are tight on the battery terminals. The top of the battery should be clean and dry.

Note: Your battery is potentially dangerous, so don’t check it near a naked flame or somebody who’s smoking. Batteries produce an explosive gas when they charge, and the fluid inside is corrosive, so avoid any contact with eyes, skin, clothing and painted surfaces.

Incorrect tyre pressure can reduce the life of your tyres and may make your car less safe to drive. Check and adjust pressure when tyres are cold. You’ll find your car’s correct tyre pressure usually inside the driver’s door, inside the fuel flap or the manufacturer’s owners manual. You should check for a minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm on any part of the tyre surface that comes into contact with the road. Check your tyres for abnormal wear or damage (such as cracks, bulges or tears).

Note: You should buy your own tyre gauge to accurately check pressure because service station gauges may not be accurate.

Finally, if you are using your vehicle to carry additional load or weight, always consult your vehicle handbook for the correct loaded tyre pressure.

Tyre Pressure Measurement Converter

You can convert a bar pressure measurement into a psi pressure measurement using our tyre pressure converter.

Things to look out for:

• a warning light remains on
• you feel any unusual vibrations
• your temperature gauge reads hot
• you hear any unusual noises
• your oil pressure gauge reads low
• your vehicle has a tendency to wander or steer to one side
• you experience any abnormalities when braking

You should also get your car to us as soon as possible if it:

• uses more fuel or oil than usual
• is difficult to start
• runs roughly
• leaves oil or coolant on the driveway
• blows smoke.

If you experience any problems with your car please don’t hesitate to call us on 0161 688 7882 and let us take care of the rest.