For many car owners, the cambelt is something that is rarely thought of, until it goes wrong. However, it is always a good idea to have a rough idea of what different vehicle components do so that you can prevent serious (and expensive) damage, and know how to spot the warning signs.
What is a cambelt?
Your cambelt or timing belt is a thick band – usually made of rubber, but occasionally, in some newer vehicles, made of metal, with “teeth”, like a cog. The belt is designed to make sure that all the crankcase and pistons work in time with the cylinder head to keep your engine functioning properly.
Why is a cambelt so important?
As engines create energy via combustion, timing is everything. The cambelt makes sure that the right reactions take place at the right time and in the right part of the engine. If your cambelt doesn’t work properly, then your engine parts won’t work in time with each other, which could cause irreparable damage to your engine.
How can I tell if my cambelt needs replacing?
It is hard to tell if a cambelt needs to be replaced. In general, it will need replacing every 40,000 – 100,000 miles but that is a large margin! It is important, therefore, that your cambelt is checked regularly by your garage. Common signs that your cambelt may be wearing are: misfiring engine, rough idling, trouble starting the engine or a squealing noise.
Misfiring engine – if your cambelt is worn, some of the elements of the engine may not work in time with each other, which causes unburnt fuel to enter the exhaust. If your engine ticks or clicks and emits smoke from the exhaust, it may well be your cambelt.
Rough idling - can be caused by the cambelt missing a tooth when gripping the gears. It is most noticeable when you are idling or accelerating.
Trouble starting the engine – if your cambelt isn’t pulling all of the right components of your engine at the right time, it is possible that your car won’t start at all.
A squealing noise – A high-pitched squeal could be a number of things, including a sign that your cambelt is slipping in its pulley. The resulting squeal is the sound of rubber against metal. Squealing could be the result of wear and tear or other problems such as leaking fluids, bad weather, misalignment or incorrect installation.
If you are worried about your cambelt, book into your local garage to get it checked out. If you are curious, you could take a look at the cambelt yourself; if you see anything irregular such as cracks, splits or fraying, book it in to be looked at by a professional.
At Trust A Garage we are committed to helping our customers to find local garages that they can trust. For more advice on garages near you or tips on staying safe on the road, follow us on Facebook or X.