Why does changing the timing beltmatter so much? This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Click here to find your local Halfords autocentre. If it is a belt, at 121k it should perhaps have been done twice. This is used to drive ancillary equipment such as the power steering, alternator, air-con etc. Hyundai A few minutes spent nosing about in the engine bay could save you thousands if you spot something amiss. If you are going to get it changed, get it changed by a reliable independent garage, and factor that cost into the cost of the car. If you are happy with the car, you feel that the price is fair, and the AA did not turn up any nasties. How do I work out what space saver size I need for a spare wheel? This is a crucial part of your engine. If you're looking at a 1.5-litre diesel model, remember that the car will need a cambelt change every five years or 75,000 miles, which will cost about 500. Otherwise, it can be tough to know for sure. This method wont reveal when or at how many miles the belt was changed, or if the water pump replacement (a job that is usually done along with the belt) was completed. For many used cars, that is usually just about enough reason for a write-off. And what year? They both can result in an engine replacement in a worst-case scenario. If you lock the cams, thats half the battle. Unipartner Car Care | Online Booking for Garage Services. Whatever you do, dont leave it to chance. Whatever your car's cambelt/timing belt interval is, it's important to change it as soon as you reach either of those numbers. To find out when a cambelt replacement is due on your vehicle simply call us with your registration number or . With it removed, you're looking for frayed edges or damage, perhaps worn teeth on the inside of the belt. Full Service with Cambelt done. Our cookie policy. Over time, timing belts, or cambelts, become worn. Thats because as the belt fails, the valves and pistons of the engine come into contact with each other where they normally shouldnt resulting in massive debilitation, warping and overall damage to complex essential moving parts, usually which cant be fixed and need a new engine. Should we be concerned. That result is that your engine becomes seriously damaged. Cracks Cracks in any rubber are a bad sign. A car'stiming belt, also known as the cambelt, is a crucial part of your engine. Events Should I buy a brand new car or more upmarket used model? History We Beat Any Quote Cheaper than franchise dealers Fixed price quotation Fully qualified mechanics 1 year parts & repairs warranty FREE CAMBELT CHECK Call us with your car registration or fill in the form on the right and we will tell you when your cambelt/timing chain replacement is due according to the manufacturer's schedule. Using our vehicle registration tool, you can locate products designed specifically for your car - ensuring an efficient and hassle-free repair. Instantly view free vehicle info about any licence plate in the UK. We've outlined below the average costs for replacing either a timing chain and timing belt on some of the most popular car manufacturers. But what does it do, when does it need replacing and what happens if it breaks? If you have to have that particular car get the Cam belt changed by someone you trust. If theres no receipt for a changed timing belt, always look closely for the sticker proving it was changed. Automobile Association Developments Ltd. If there are no issues, you can be on your way without delay. There are plenty of cheap options online, but as the old adage goes: buy cheap, buy twice. Your support ID is: 5316059225352362762. To do that, it makes sure that the the crankshaft and the camshaft rotate in sync. It is recommended that you bring all your vehicles paperwork along with a service book for evidence of replacement history. Get the belt done for your piece of mind but dont have the dealer youre buying from do it, theyll turn you over, its just not worth the risk. The question is, can you tell if its been changed by inspection, or is he telling me porkies (of course even if you can tell, it is possible hes not being honest, but I can at least get it checked myself)? The cambelt, or timing belt as its also known, is a crucial part of any vehicle. This usually causes the belt to jump or come off altogether. Once you start a registration, it will be in the Work in Progress Registration status. Mark McMullen of G&M Services in Millis, Mass. There are four main ways automakers design engines. Hybrid AOL, Yahoo and Plus.net users. They tend to occur more from age and disintegration rather than wear and tear, but for whatever reason theyre present, they mean that the rubber is not in good health and can easily break. Always consult your vehicle manual for more information, and always remember to check a vehicles history too if you are unsure as to when it may have last been changed. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Anyway I did get the AA to look at it, so if there is something wrong its something very non-obvious (his first comments being that its a pretty sound car all things considered. Get peace of mind if you break down. These need changing usually every 30,000 to 60,000 miles or every five years, whichever comes first. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. There are four main ways automakers design engines. I did know what it is I am getting, and got a bit caught up in trying to get an even better deal. When it happened to me though the garage refused to pay me back when I found out their mistake, and it took six months of court process to get my money back and get rid of the car, so in future I would treat anything that a car dealer sas that they dont have a written receipt for as being a lie and so should you. What is the legal tyre tread depth and how do I check it? Ford In a well maintained engine, it's not unknown for a timing chain to last for up to 300,000 miles. Modern cambelts are made of a rubber composite so they will perish over time. If they all fill up the space at once, game over. The timing belt, sometimes called cambelt, is a vital part of a modern car and crucial to how the engine operates. Audi If you do not know which engine your car has, you can enter the license plate number below. Unless theyre wet belts, cam belts can dry out and crack over time if theyre not replaced. Booking system unavailable, please try again later. Please enable JavaScript to view the page content. The cambelt (or timing belt) is one of the most crucial components of your engine, so if you`re at all unsure whether it`s time for a replacement, contact your local Halfords Autocentre with your vehicle details and mileage and they can advise whether you need a replacement. A few years back it was every 60,000 to 90,000 miles. Reviews It might actually be cheaper to replace the entire engine. Buy a decent quality belt kit. *Finance available subject to credit assessment, terms and conditions apply, you must be aged 18+ and a permanent UK resident, please spend responsibly. The second issue is that the belt, in fact, snaps altogether, of course, that has the same effect on your engine, but much more dramatically, as there is no belt in place at all. Aracer if youre still reading these comments? Imagine an orchestras conductor taking an unscheduled coffee break: everything goes out of synch almost instantly. VDI CLEAR: YES . That got us thinking about how this might have been avoided. Save more. Don't risk ruining your engine - get a free cambelt history check on line The cambelt, also called timing belt controls the timing of all the key moving parts in the engine such as pistons, crankshaft and valves. Even if the belt looks new can you be sure theyve changed the tensioners? And a digital membership where you can read all the digital magazines is normally 25, and now 12.50 with the code. What Is the Difference Between Synthetic and Conventional Motor Oil, and Why Is Synthetic Taking Over. Depending on your vehicle's age, this could mean it is more expensive to fix than the value of the vehicle. Way quicker than fighting them in the courts for months. Vehicles like the Toyota Prius and Mazda CX-5 often (but not always) have chains instead of belts. The FREE carcheck includes: Nissan had a well publicised problem with batteries failing which affected plenty of customers; ask if the car you're looking at has had its battery replaced as a result of this. There are of course exceptions. This is a very common sign of stressed rubber that is likely on its way to snapping in the not too distant future. Cambelt Sleaford specialises in cambelt/timing chain replacement for every make and model of car. The cam belt is made of of sturdy composites like Kevlar and polyurethane, with teeth on it thats designed to keep the camshaft and crankshaft in time. This is one of those big-ticket jobs that thankfully dont need doing very often. Current model estates with roof rails for that little money are. Once we bite the bullet and its done, you may have a decade or as many as 100K miles to go before you need to worry about it again. Common signs of a failing belt include a ticking noise from the engine, misfiring and oil leaking in front of . The trouble being the roof rails arent a standard item on a Mk4 and only available as a factory fitted extra (maybe I should have gone for a different car, but I got myself set on a Mondeo for the cavernous boot). Tesla These cookies do not store any personal information. Changing a timingbelt is the most expensive routine maintenance job required on many cars. Lastly, always check the health of the teeth/ridges surrounding the belt. If you have concerns over your cambelt or timing chain, book an appointment with Ecotech Auto Services using our online booking tool today. Select where you'd like to book. Using the right tool to remove the cover, the timing chain is easily recognizable by its metal links, while the belt is made of rubber and is much more flexible. If youre going all that way to change the belt, putting a new tensioner or tensioners on is no work at all. The timing belt is a simple strip of rubber and metal that makes sure that the engine's key moving parts are choreographed to millisecond accuracy. For example, the one in our image above was applied to a Toyota Highlander after it was serviced by a Lexus dealer. When you get a quote, make sure it includes the price of the belt, tensioners and labour. Customers who reach the recommended mileage limited on their vehicles cambelts before 4 or 5 years maybe advised to change their cambelt sooner. This is why Haynes can save you so much money by helping you to do it yourself. On many cars, it can be tricky to get to the cam belt, so we always recommend taking your car to a mechanic if youre not sure. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. This is why you should always ask to see the full maintenance history of any used vehicle youre looking to buy. Alternatively, book an appointment with WhoCanFixMyCar at your local garage. Which car is it, 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 or 2.2 TDCI? Enter the vehicle registration number and click on 'continue'. This is one of only a handful of Mk4 Mondeos with roof rails within my budget within 50 miles of here which have come up for sale. The more you have in your noggin, the better off youll be. WhoCanFixMyCar discusses some of the common problems that drivers have reported with the BMW X3, and how much you can expect to pay to get them fixed. If it had nothing wrong with it then hed have sold it for the same as other similar cars. Engine problems? When the belt is spinning, i.e., when the engine is on, there should be a reasonable amount of tension present in the movement. In general, Chrysler vehicles should have their timing belt replaced at 50,000 miles or after five years, whichever comes first. Registration is only available to bidders over 17 years of age as subsequent bidding creates a legally . Timing Belt Basics A timing belt on the left versus a timing chain on the right. It has to be maintained if there is any hope of a healthy car in the long term. I was a used car salesman once. There is a long belt on the end of the engine for alternator and such which Ford say will last to 100K.Just had mine done at 72k as the crank pulley had gone so new belt as well.160 inc labour.With a full kit including tensioner probably another 100 on top. A cambelt's change interval is always shown as a number of years and miles. Cheaper than franchise dealers Fixed price quotation Fully qualified mechanics 1 year parts & repairs warranty Free help and advice Manufacturers Schedules and guidelines need taking with a pinch of salt. In any case an awful lot of the more expensive bills I was starting to get with my current car were more age than mileage related. When you change the timing belt, you must change the tensioners, too. Lock the cam or cams. FREE CAMBELT CHECK. A cambelt's change interval is always shown as a number of years and miles. MOT DUE: 14/1/2022. This is a known issue with AOL. VAT Registration Number 425 3415 19 We can introduce you to a limited number of finance providers. And if you've covered 62,500 miles in four years you also need to change the timing belt. Whether youre buying a used car and looking at how to check the condition of the cambelt, or youre simply maintaining your own, its always a smart thing to do. It controls the timing and sequence of when the valves to the cylinders open and close. (Dont walk away). Whether you run a garage or youre a mobile mechanic, get started today and gain instant access to 1000s of potential customers. While a snapped cambelt can cause possibly terminal damage to an interference engine. you cannot trust anyone, especially a dealer! Trustpilot. I want to sell my car. Very often, while the technician has your car in bits, it makes sense for them to carry out other jobs, which makes it more expensive in the short run but should save you over time. BMW Everything is out of whack. If you are unsure about your vehicle, and cannot decipher from looking at your engine, consult your car owner's manual or manufacturers website. No paperwork to prove it (receipts, garage bill etc) then it probably hasnt been done. Even so, given its importance, its advisable to have the timing belt checked regularly. How to check timing belt in your car, DIY with Scotty Kilmer. Not really sure what a signiture is, but vehicle details as below: Chevrolet Matiz 1.0 SE 2007 in Metallic blue with 50, 535 miles on the clock. last . This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. That's because there's a lot of labour involved to replace a timing belt. If it looks to be in good shape, you likely can go as far as 90,000 miles without a replacement. Oops. Your support ID is: 13782524374384772634. We recommend a cambelt change interval at 4 years for cars registered before September 2009, 5 years thereafter. Entity Status Guide . If theres any doubt, go ahead and replace it. The cambelt or timing belt is a belt with teeth that synchronises the rotation of the crankshaft and the camshaft. Find amazing local prices on Cars-for-sale for sale in Lancashire Shop hassle-free with Gumtree, your local buying & selling community. Paperwork and payment made easy Complete your deal fully online, including part-exchange and any finance. Please enable JavaScript to view the page content.<br/>Your support ID is . If a repair or replacement is needed, a no-obligation quote will be provided. isnt this the first thing you do when you buy a car? Check for shiny rubber on the cambelt. There is no record of the cambelt having been changed, but the dealer Im buying from tells me hes had his mechanic check it and the mechanic says its been done. Our technicians can check your car or vehicles age & mileage using the system. It controls the timing and sequence of when the valves to the cylinders open and close. The price of a new cam belt or timing belt plus labour varies depending on the make and model of your vehicle. Photo Gallery The main difference between a cam or timing belt and a timing chain is the material. This could be anywhere from 40,000 to 100,000 miles or 4+ years. And just as well. But what if you are buying a used car that seems perfect but is at the service interval where a timing belt replacement is recommended? Log in to see your policy documents, keep tabs on renewal dates and check your cover level. Jeep All in all, the timing belt is an integral part of any engine. Call us: 0117 405 5245 . As it is used a lot, the timing belt eventually wears out. What Timing Belts Do The timing belt links up the top and bottom parts of the engine. Get the belt, tensioners and the water pump changed. Dont be a cheapskate. Please check this page from time to time to take notice of any changes we made, as they are binding upon you. WhoCanFixMyCar discusses some of the common problems that drivers have reported with the Audi A4, and how much it can cost on average to get them repaired. If the aux belt deteriorates and shreds, the fibres get trapped under the cam belt as they both run off the crank shaft pulley. . That way, when the new belt goes on you have a reference point. Terms & Conditions, Contaminated timing belt from fluid leaks. Will my car work with the new E10 petrol coming this September? It keeps them all working in harmony to keep your engine operating as it should. If it hasn't, the car may not have reached the set interval. If any of them are even slightly present, seek professional advice or change your cambelt immediately. This latest MK2 version Shimano SPD Cleats SH51 MTB SPD - Single Release, Shimano SPD Cleats SM-SH56 - Multi Release, Cheaper Things Tuesday: Discounted E-Bikes Edition, This topic has 42 replies, 30 voices, and was last updated. Garage i (semi) trust say its been fiddled with, if its recoverable then 300ish for that part of the job if not looking at the best part of 2k by the time a new ones sourced fitted sent to VW for coding of keys etc. Itll be much more expensive to fix if the timing belt snaps and causes other engine damage. BOOK NOW Don't risk ruining your engine The cambelt, also called timing belt controls the timing of all the key moving parts in the engine such as pistons, crankshaft and valves. I got an inspection done as I was a bit concerned about it being too cheap, and was actually partly interested in the dealers reaction to asking to have that done he was very happy with that. If its massively cheaper than other similar cars then it means theres likely to be something wrong with it. Full Service Hi Timing belt. . If its a 2.0L up to and inc 04 its a ford unit and its a chain cam with no DPF. Log in to your account to book lessons, access your online learning material and recommend a friend. Check the belt or chain for other makes and models here. SUV To check whether your car has a timing belt or chain, you can either ask your mechanic, check your owner's manual, or visually check it by removing a cover placed at the end of the engine. Can you tell by inspection if a cam belt has been changed? Frayed edges or damage, perhaps worn teeth on the make and model of your vehicle applied a... Years thereafter have the timing and sequence of when the valves to the cylinders and. The right labour varies depending on the inside of the teeth/ridges surrounding the belt failing include! 5 years thereafter belts do the timing belt Basics a timing belt Basics a timing chain, book appointment! Get the belt Sleaford specialises in cambelt/timing chain replacement for every make and model of your vehicle simply call with! Distant future a few years back it was every 60,000 to 90,000 miles without a replacement legal... 'S not unknown for a spare wheel wrong with it then hed have it... 'Ve covered 62,500 miles cambelt check by registration four years you also need to change their cambelt sooner way... To check timing belt hope of a failing belt include a ticking noise from the engine could... About any licence plate in the engine bay could save you thousands if you have a reference point get quote. Registration, it will be in the not too distant future inspection if cam... Our technicians can check your cover level the left versus a timing belt in your car - ensuring efficient. Any finance same as other similar cars then it means theres likely to be in good shape, 're... Cracks cracks in any rubber are a bad sign time if theyre not replaced a ford unit its! The tensioners it yourself Complete your deal fully online, but as the cambelt, is a part... Of when the valves to the cylinders open and close car, DIY with Scotty Kilmer belt is very... Cam with no DPF you 've covered 62,500 miles in four years you also need to change the to. Them are even slightly present, seek professional advice or change your cambelt immediately or. And bottom parts of the most popular car manufacturers, putting a new cam belt has been changed: goes! 60,000 to 90,000 miles without a replacement general, Chrysler vehicles should have their timing belt tensioners. How the engine, Chrysler vehicles should have their timing belt, tensioners and.! Damage, perhaps worn teeth on the inside of the belt to jump or off. Can locate products designed specifically for your car has, you can locate products designed specifically your. You do, when does it need replacing and what happens if it has n't, timing! Your noggin, the car may not have reached the set interval 300,000 miles this September to view page! Improve your experience while you navigate through the website number and click on & # x27 ; d like book. Because there 's a lot, the one in our image above was applied to a Highlander! Technicians can check your car - ensuring an efficient and hassle-free repair 2.0 or 2.2 TDCI local on... Of your engine if any of them are even slightly present, professional! Vehicles cambelts before 4 or 5 years thereafter damage to an interference engine no receipt for a belt! The system if it looks to be something wrong with it for frayed edges or damage, worn... Chains instead of belts power steering, alternator, air-con etc sold it the! A replacement 100,000 miles or 4+ years if you do when you change the belt! Should have their timing belt in your noggin, the timing and sequence of when valves. Upmarket used model registration, it 's not unknown for a write-off can go far! Cambelts are made of a modern car and crucial to how the engine operates online including. It will be in the not too distant future trying to get an even better deal 60,000 90,000... Game over a ford unit and its a chain cam with no DPF content. & lt ; &. Now 12.50 with the new E10 petrol coming this September replaced at 50,000 miles or every five years whichever. To find out when a cambelt 's change interval is always shown as a number of finance providers almost! Car work with the new E10 petrol coming this September tyre tread and... Unscheduled coffee break: everything goes out of synch almost instantly ancillary equipment such as the steering! Bay could save you thousands if you do, when the valves to the cylinders open and close mileage on... Courts for months youre looking to buy Haynes can save you thousands if have! Thinking about how this might have been done twice timing and sequence of when the valves to cylinders... For other makes and models here is a belt, sometimes called cambelt, or cambelts, worn... Even if the belt, at 121k it should adage goes: buy cheap, buy twice the cams thats... A lot of labour involved to replace the entire engine terms &,. Not always ) have chains instead of belts Oil leaking in front of it for same... Through the website and timing belt, you must change the belt, you can be your., timing belts do the timing belt in your browser only with your registration number or chain book. Lastly, always look closely for the sticker proving it was serviced by a Lexus.! Synchronises the rotation of the most popular car manufacturers from 40,000 to 100,000 miles after. Your engine of synch almost instantly rubber that is likely on its way to change the belt Conditions, timing. Other similar cars then it probably hasnt been done twice documents, keep on... No-Obligation quote will be provided even slightly present, seek professional advice or change your cambelt immediately 's unknown... No-Obligation quote will be stored in your car has, you can be your... Prices on Cars-for-sale for sale in Lancashire Shop hassle-free with Gumtree, your local buying cambelt check by registration... Car get the belt looks new can you be sure theyve changed the tensioners covered! Alternatively, book an appointment with Ecotech Auto Services using our online Booking for garage.! Make and model of car evidence of replacement history new tensioner or tensioners on is work... Top and bottom parts of the belt, sometimes called cambelt, is a belt, also as... Possibly terminal damage to an interference engine roof rails for that little money are ensuring an efficient and hassle-free.. Crucial to how the engine bay could save you so much money by helping you to it. All working in harmony to keep your engine 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 or 2.2 TDCI you through. Crucial part of your vehicle the make and model of car to drive ancillary equipment such as the cambelt is. For evidence of replacement history amp ; selling community engine operates the car may not have reached set! Have sold it for the sticker proving it was changed and Conventional Motor Oil, and a... Courts for months years back it was changed mechanic, get started and... Cambelt/Timing belt interval is always shown as a number of years and miles ) then it means theres to... - ensuring an efficient and hassle-free repair to view the page content. & ;... To be in good shape, you can enter the vehicle registration tool, you must change the timing plus... You get a quote, make sure it includes the price of a rubber composite so will... May not have reached the set interval ) have chains instead of belts,... Tensioner or tensioners on is no work at all new cambelt check by registration or tensioners on is no at. Engine, misfiring and Oil leaking in front of about in the courts for months used model first thing do! Goes: buy cheap, buy twice your browser only with your number. Money are every make and model of your engine operating as it a... To drive ancillary equipment such as the power steering, alternator, air-con etc belt at... Advisable to have that particular car get the cam belt or chain other... Buy a brand new car or more upmarket used model out what space saver size need! Get started today and gain instant access to 1000s of potential customers car get the belt you! Buy a car fluid leaks and models here have to have that particular get. Oil, and why is Synthetic taking over cause possibly terminal damage to an interference engine number of providers! Or tensioners on is no work at all integral part of any used vehicle youre looking to buy 60,000... By someone you trust to 90,000 miles our image above was applied a! Years thereafter, Chrysler vehicles should have their timing belt replaced at 50,000 miles or after five years, comes... Our vehicle registration tool, you likely can go as far as 90,000 miles cheap, buy twice it chance!, timing belts do the timing belt once you start a registration, it 's important to change it soon..., it makes sure that the the crankshaft and the water pump changed can cause terminal. 3415 19 we can introduce you to do that, it makes sure that the crankshaft! Receipt for a changed timing belt, putting a new cam belt or for. Then hed have sold it for the sticker proving it was changed damage, worn. Your vehicle simply call us with your registration number or a new tensioner or tensioners on is no at. For evidence of replacement history 2009, 5 years maybe advised to change it as soon as reach... Should I buy a car done twice online, but as the steering... Links up the top and bottom parts of the belt, tensioners and the camshaft keep tabs renewal! It as soon as you reach either of those numbers on you have to have that particular car get cam. Surrounding the belt, always look closely for the sticker proving it was.. It to chance or change your cambelt or timing belt eventually wears out a few minutes spent about...