FAQs

Yes, an experienced car technician can usually identify signs that suggest a cambelt (or timing belt) needs replacing. They can do this during routine maintenance or when diagnosing an issue with your vehicle. However, some of the indications are not always obvious and require a detailed inspection. Some of the signs include visible leaks, trouble starting the engine and strange noises.

Yes, a broken cambelt (also known as a timing belt), has the potential to cause significant damage to your engine, especially interference engines. When a cambelt snaps, the pistons collide with the valves which can result in bent valves, broken piston heads and potential damage to the cylinder head and walls.

For non-interference engines, the pistons and valves don’t share the same space which means an lower risk of serious damage. However, it will still result in an inoperable car and necessitate a timing belt replacement, which can be a costly repair.

Typically, a cambelt should be replaced every 60,000-100,000 miles, or every five years. However, it’s important to check your car owner’s manual as it may vary depending on the make and model of your car.

Since the process is labour intensive, a cambelt replacement service typically takes between 3-5 hours but it can vary depending on the make and model of your car and the efficiency of the garage.

Your car’s cambelt won’t last forever; with increasing wear, it becomes more and more prone to breaking. If the cambelt snaps while the engine is running, it can cause the valves to collide with the pistons, resulting in bent valves and potentially damaged pistons and cylinder walls. If you don’t change it then it might break!