The Dangers of Neglecting Your timing belt: What You Need to Know
Timing belts, also called cambelts, must be replaced at specific mileage intervals depending on the car. It’s important to note that not all vehicles utilise a cambelt, as some may have a timing chain instead.
Here are ten signs that you may need a timing belt replacement:
- Your vehicle’s engine misfires or runs poorly.
- You hear unusual noises coming from your engine, such as a rattling or slapping sound.
- Your engine won’t start, or it stalls while you’re driving.
- Your engine vibrates excessively while you’re driving.
- You notice oil leaking from the front of your engine.
- Your engine’s performance and fuel efficiency decrease.
- The cambelt appears worn, cracked, or damaged upon inspection. (this is indicated to you by your mechanic).
- Your vehicle has reached the manufacturer’s recommended cambelt replacement interval.
- Your vehicle has high mileage and you’re unsure when the cambelt was last replaced.
- Your vehicle’s owner’s manual recommends cambelt replacement as part of regular maintenance.
What is included in a timing belt kit?
Your cambelt kit or timing belt kit usually consists of a belt (also known as a drive belt), a tensioner, an idler, and a water pump.
Not all cars are built alike; in some cases, the water pump doesn’t run on the belt. We at Fangio Auto have specialised software that provides us with diagrams in order to see what components are needed.
In instances where the water pump blocks access to the timing belt, we will suggest replacing the water pump and the cambelt kit as a whole, as they run on the same system.
Here is a great animation on how it all works and how a timing belt breaks.
When do you replace a timing belt?
Usually customers find us when it’s too late—when it breaks.
The cambelt replacement interval is determined by the manufacturer of the vehicle and can vary between 90,000 and 120,000 kilometres, or 5 to 7 years, whichever comes first. We at Fangio Auto will notify our customers during the intervals when the cambelt is due.
Regular replacement of the cambelt is important to prevent engine damage, which is costly to repair.
Water pumps, why you should be replacing it.
When the time comes to replace your cambelt, you’ll often discover that your water pump shares the same belt.
It would be unfortunate to replace the cambelt only to find yourself having to repeat the entire process a month later when the water pump fails.
Therefore, it is advisable to replace both the water pump and cambelt kit simultaneously to ensure the longevity of your car.
Contact us to get a quote on a timing belt replacement
Cars that need a cambelt kit or timing chain
- Abarth
- Alfa Romeo
- Aston Martin
- Audi
- BMW
- Chevrolet
- Chrysler
- Citroen
- Daihatsu
- Datsun
- Dodge
- Fiat
- Fiat
- Ford
- General Motors
- Honda
- Hyundai
- Isuzu
- Iveco
- JAC
- Jaguar
- Jeep
- Kia
- Land Rover
- Lexus
- Mahindra
- Mazda
- Mercedes Benz
- Mini Cooper
- Mitsubishi
- Nissan
- Opel Corsa
- Peugeot
- Porsche
- Renault
- Smart
- Subaru
- Suzuki
- Tata
- Toyota
- Vauxhall
- Volkswagen