What does a cambelt do?
A cambelt is a type of timing belt, a critical part of your engine that connects the crankshaft to the camshaft, ensuring they remain in perfect synchronisation. This causes the engine valves to open and close at the correct moments during each cylinder’s intake and exhaust cycle. If this timing is even slightly off, it can cause poor performance or in the worst-case scenario, severe engine damage, often requiring a total engine rebuild.
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Cambelts are typically made of reinforced rubber and run outside the engine lubrication system.​
What is a cambelt?
Cambelts are typically made of reinforced rubber and run outside the engine lubrication system. Over time, exposure to heat and stress causes the belt to wear out.
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Cambelts are common in many petrol and diesel engines and usually require scheduled replacement after 60,000 to 100,000 miles, or every five to seven years depending on the vehicle.
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Wet belts are a type of timing belt that runs inside the engine and is lubricated by engine oil.
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Whilst designed for longevity, the condition of a wet belt is heavily dependent on the quality and cleanliness of the engine oil. Poor maintenance and skipped oil changes can lead to a wet belt failure long before the stated 150,000 mile lifespan—some drivers have reported wet belt failures after as little as 50,000 miles.
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Wet belts are a recent development but are now commonly found in newer Ford, Peugeot, and Citroën engines.​​
Timing Chains
A timing chain performs the same function but in the form of a metal chain.
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Timing chains are made of metal and typically last the lifetime of the engine, although they can become noisy or stretched over time.
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Some luxury European, Japanese and American manufacturers use a timing chain instead of a belt.
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Many interference†engines use timing chains to protect the engine from a potential catastrophic belt failure where the pistons and valves would collide at high speeds.
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†Interference engines are configured so that the valves and pistons occupy the same space at different times. A failure of the timing system could naturally result in terrible internal damage to the engine.
Symptoms of a worn timing belt/chain
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Rattling or ticking noises from the engine
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Engine misfiring or running rough
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Warning lights appearing on the dashboard
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History of missed oil changes (especially relevant for wet belts)
If you think you might need a new cambelt or timing chain, or you simply want to keep on top of your vehicle maintenance to prevent premature issues with your timing system, click the button below to book your vehicle in with us.