Cambelt change, repair & replacement made easy

How does a cambelt or timing belt work?

A cambelt, also known as a timing belt, is a crucial part of your car’s engine. Think of it as the maestro of an orchestra, making sure everything runs in perfect harmony. The cambelt synchronises the movement of the engine’s crankshaft and camshaft, ensuring that the engine’s valves open and close at the right times during each cylinder’s intake and exhaust strokes.

When the engine runs, the crankshaft turns, which in turn drives the cambelt. The belt then rotates the camshaft, which controls the opening and closing of the engine's valves. This precise timing ensures that the engine runs smoothly and efficiently, avoiding collisions between valves and pistons.

Over time, the cambelt can wear out due to the constant stress and heat it endures. If it breaks, the engine’s timing can go haywire, leading to severe damage. That’s why it’s essential to replace the cambelt at the intervals recommended by your car’s manufacturer to keep everything running smoothly.

In some modern cars, a timing chain is used instead of a belt. The chain serves the same purpose but is typically more durable, although it might still need replacement eventually.

What does a cambelt change or timing belt replacement involve?

A cambelt change job involves several key steps to ensure your car's engine runs smoothly and efficiently. Here’s a simplified overview of the process:

• First, the mechanic raises the car using a lift or jack to access the engine more easily.
• The mechanic then removes any necessary components blocking access to the cambelt, such as engine covers, drive belts, and in some cases, parts of the engine itself. The timing belt is hidden from view and protected by a cover in the vast majority of cases.
• Next, the old cambelt is carefully removed. The mechanic will take note of the timing marks on the engine to ensure the new belt is installed in the correct position.
• Before fitting the new cambelt, the mechanic inspects related components like the water pump, tensioner, and idler pulleys. If any of these parts show signs of wear or damage, they are typically replaced at the same time to avoid future issues.
• The new cambelt is then fitted, making sure it is aligned correctly with the engine's timing marks. This step is crucial as improper alignment can cause severe engine damage.
• The mechanic then adjusts the belt tension according to the manufacturer's specifications to ensure it operates correctly.
• Once the new belt and any other replaced components are installed, the mechanic reassembles any parts that were removed to access the cambelt.
• Finally, the mechanic runs the engine to check that the new cambelt is working properly and that the engine timing is correct. This ensures the engine runs smoothly and efficiently.

This job requires skill and precision, which is why it’s best done by a professional mechanic.

Under no circumstance should a timing belt be put back on once it has been removed, no matter how recently it was done. Any small nicks or damage to the belt during the process could be catastrophic - so no, for the cost of the belt itself its not a risk that any mechanic would take.

How much does timing belt replacement cost?

Based on timing belt replacement bookings on ClickMechanic, most repairs fall between £300 and £700 depending on your vehicle and the labour involved. On many vehicles the timing belt is located behind several engine components, which means mechanics often need to remove covers, pulleys or engine mounts to access it. Because of this, labour makes up a significant portion of the total repair cost.

Using ClickMechanic, you can get an exact quote and a vetted mechanic in your area will carry out the repair at your home or workplace.

Typical timing belt replacement costs in the UK

Below are typical timing belt replacement costs for some of the most common cars in the UK:

• Ford Fiesta timing belt replacement cost: £300 – £500
  
• Vauxhall Corsa timing belt replacement cost: £300 – £550
  
• Volkswagen Golf timing belt replacement cost: £400 – £650
  
• Audi A3 timing belt replacement cost: £450 – £700
  
• Honda Civic timing belt replacement cost: £350 – £600
  
• Nissan Qashqai timing belt replacement cost: £380 – £700

What affects the cost of timing belt replacement?

Several factors can influence the final price of a timing belt or cambelt replacement:

Vehicle make and model

The position of the timing belt varies between engines. On some vehicles the belt is relatively accessible, while on others additional components such as engine mounts or covers must be removed first. This increases labour time and overall repair cost.

Parts

Most mechanics replace a timing belt kit, which includes the belt itself along with tensioners and idler pulleys. Using OEM parts can increase the overall cost.

Labour time

Replacing a timing belt usually takes between 2 and 5 hours, depending on the engine layout and how easy it is to access the belt.

Water pump replacement

On many vehicles the water pump is driven by the timing belt, meaning it becomes accessible during the same repair. When this is the case, the water pump is replaced at the same time because most of the labour required is already carried out during the timing belt replacement. If the water pump is not driven by the timing belt, it can usually be replaced separately and does not normally need to be changed unless it shows signs of wear or a mechanic advises it.

Engine size and complexity

Larger engines and performance vehicles often require more complex timing systems, which can increase both parts costs and labour time.

Why timing belt replacement can be expensive

Timing belts are located inside the engine and synchronise the rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft. Because of this position, replacing the belt usually requires removing several engine components before the mechanic can access it.

Although the timing belt itself is relatively inexpensive, the labour required to reach it means the total repair cost is often significantly higher than the cost of the parts alone.

The easiest way to find out the cost of replacing a timing belt for your car is to get an instant quote online. You can enter your car registration and postcode to see an upfront pricing.

For a more detailed breakdown of typical timing belt replacement prices, see our timing belt replacement cost guide.

What happens when a timing belt breaks?

There is very little pre warning that a timing belt is about to break, it will simply snap. This can occur at any time, from initial startup to cruising on the motorway. Whatever the circumstances, the chances are that your engine's pistons will collide with valves that are operated by the camshaft. The result of this collision depends on a number of factors, but the valves, rocker arms, camshaft, pistons, even the cylinder head itself etc all could suffer damage.

The only way to fully understand what damage has been caused is to remove the cylinder head from the engine and physically see what the resultant collision has caused.

Therefore, if your timing belt has snapped, we cannot quote how much it will be to repair the damage, as we simply will not know at that stage. What we can quote for though, is the work required to strip off the cylinder head in order to provide a quote on the damage caused. If this is the case, you always contact our Mechanics in Residence team for a custom quote.

How do I know whether I need a cambelt repair or replacement?

In almost all cases, the cambelt will need to be replaced as it can’t really be “repaired”. Here are some things to look out for:
If you hear a ticking noise coming from the engine, it might be a sign that the cambelt is wearing out. This noise can indicate that the belt is not functioning properly and may need replacement soon.

If your engine misfires or runs roughly, it could be due to a failing cambelt. This happens because the timing of the engine's valves is off, which can be a direct result of a worn or damaged cambelt.

If you experience oil leaking from the front of the motor, it could mean that the cambelt cover is loose or damaged, which can cause the cambelt to wear out more quickly. This might need repair or replacement.

If the car won't start at all, and you’ve ruled out battery issues, a broken cambelt could be the cause. This is a serious issue and requires immediate attention, often leading to a full replacement.

If you notice the engine light on your dashboard comes on, it can be a sign of many issues, including problems with the cambelt. It’s important to get it checked by a professional to avoid severe engine damage.

Lastly, if your vehicle has hit the manufacturer’s recommended mileage for cambelt replacement, usually between 60,000 to 100,000 miles, it’s wise to get it inspected or replaced to prevent unexpected failure.

What does a cambelt change cover?

Unless otherwise stated, a ClickMechanic quote for your timing belt replacement will cover;

Timing Belt Only Engines

• The cost of the timing belt kit (Belt, Tensioner and Guide(s) where appropriate, usually INA, Dayco or Gates, depending on availability
• Coming to you
• Fitting of the parts
• Disposal of the old parts (unless you request to keep them)
• VAT (if applicable)
• 12 months parts and labour warranty

Timing Belt and Water Pump Engines

• The timing belt kit (Belt, Tensioner and Guide(s) where appropriate, usually INA, Dayco or Gates, depending on availability
• The water pump
• Engine coolant/antifreeze
• Coming to you
• Fitting of the parts
• Disposal of the old parts (unless you request to keep them)
• VAT (if applicable)
• 12 months parts and labour warranty

Should I book a water pump replacement and auxiliary belt replacement and cambelt change at the same time?

If the water pump is driven by the timing belt, then it is also an important bearing and cog on the circuit. Therefore it is considered as vital as the guide(s) and tensioner and must be replaced. Mechanics will not consider replacing a timing belt that has a water pump on it, without changing it.

The other reason is that should the water pump fail, then the whole timing belt job has to be done again with a new belt.

If the water pump is not on the timing belt, there is no need to do so, however, if you wish, we can of course do it, but there is little cost saving in doing so.

The auxiliary belt will need to be removed to carry out the work, so it is an ideal time to change it for just the cost of the belt as there is no additional labour. It isn’t imperative though, so you do not have to.

What is a wet belt?

A wet belt, also known as a belt-in-oil timing belt, is a type of cambelt that runs inside the engine and is exposed to engine oil.
Like a conventional cambelt, its main job is to keep the crankshaft and camshaft correctly synchronised so the engine's valves open and close at the right time. The difference is where the belt operates. A traditional cambelt runs dry behind a protective cover, while a wet belt operates within the engine's oil environment.

Wet belts are made from materials designed to withstand contact with oil, heat and the stresses of normal engine operation. Some engines also use a separate belt-in-oil to drive the oil pump.

Wet belt vs cambelt: what’s the difference?

A wet belt is actually a type of cambelt. The main difference is that a conventional cambelt runs dry, whereas a wet belt runs in engine oil.
Because a wet belt shares the engine's oil environment, oil quality and servicing are particularly important. Using unsuitable oil, allowing the oil to become contaminated or missing oil-change intervals can contribute to belt deterioration.

Wet belt replacement can also involve more work than changing a conventional cambelt because the belt is located within the engine and additional components may need to be removed to reach it.

What does a wet belt replacement involve?

A wet belt replacement involves removing enough of the engine components to access the belt, locking the engine at the correct timing position and replacing the belt in line with the manufacturer's procedure.

Because the belt runs inside the engine oil, the job is often more involved than replacing a conventional cambelt or timing belt. Depending on the engine, the mechanic may need to drain the engine oil, remove covers or other components and replace associated parts such as tensioners, idlers, seals, gaskets and single-use bolts. Complete wet-belt kits commonly include these additional components.

If the old belt has started to deteriorate, the mechanic may also need to check the lubrication system for belt debris. On some engines this can involve removing and cleaning the oil-pump strainer and checking other oil passages or strainers before fitting the new belt.

Once the new belt is fitted and the timing has been set correctly, the engine is reassembled and filled with the manufacturer-approved engine oil. The mechanic will then check for leaks, correct operation and any warning lights before completing the repair.

When does a wet belt need replacing?

A wet belt should be replaced at the manufacturer's specified age or mileage interval, whichever comes first. Generally speaking, there is no single wet belt replacement interval that applies to every vehicle.

The correct interval depends on the engine, model and year. Peugeot, for example, advises owners of PureTech engines to check the service schedule for their particular vehicle rather than applying one standard interval across the range.

A wet belt may need attention sooner if an inspection shows that it is cracking, swelling, fraying or beginning to lose material. If there are concerns about the vehicle's service history or whether the correct engine oil has been used, it is worth having the belt inspected rather than simply waiting for its scheduled replacement date.

An oil-pressure warning should also be investigated promptly. On some wet-belt engines, deteriorating belt material can enter the oil system and restrict oil flow.

Does my car have a wet belt?

The easiest way to find out is to check the engine fitted to your particular car, rather than relying on the model name alone.

A vehicle model can be sold with several different engines, some using a conventional cambelt, some a wet belt and others a timing chain. Later versions of the same engine family can also use a different timing system.

Your vehicle handbook or service schedule may specify the timing-belt arrangement and replacement interval. A garage or parts specialist can also identify the correct system using your registration number, VIN or engine code.

You can also input your reg number or make and model details into ClickMechanic and search for Wet Belt replacement to know whether it uses a wet belt or another type of timing belt/ chain.

Which cars have wet belts?

Wet timing belts have been fitted to a number of popular cars sold in the UK, particularly vehicles using certain Ford EcoBoost and Stellantis PureTech engines.

Examples include certain versions of:

• Ford Fiesta, Focus, B-Max, C-Max, EcoSport, Mondeo, Tourneo and Transit fitted with relevant EcoBoost engines.
• Peugeot 208, 308, 2008, 3008 and 5008 fitted with certain 1.0 and 1.2 PureTech engines.
• Citroën C3 and C4 models using related PureTech engines.
• Vauxhall Corsa, Crossland, Grandland and Mokka fitted with certain Stellantis 1.2-litre petrol engines.

Ford also references wet-belt degradation in relation to certain 1.0-litre EcoBoost and 2.0-litre EcoBlue engines.

This isn't an exhaustive list, because wet belts are engine specific, not based on model. Not every Fiesta, 208, Corsa or other model listed above uses a wet timing belt.

How long does a wet belt last?

There is no universal lifespan for a wet belt. Its expected service life depends on the engine and the manufacturer's maintenance schedule.

Wet belts are intended to last for many years and thousands of miles, but their condition can also be affected by servicing history, oil contamination and whether the correct specification of engine oil has been used.

For that reason, we'd not want to assume a wet belt is safe simply because the car has not yet reached a quoted mileage such as 100,000 miles. We recommend you check the replacement schedule for the exact vehicle and follow any updated manufacturer guidance.

Regular oil servicing is particularly important because the belt operates directly in the engine oil.

Is a wet belt more expensive to replace than a normal cambelt or timing belt?

It can be. Wet belt replacement is often more labour-intensive because the belt sits inside the engine rather than behind an external timing cover which makes it harder to get to.

The mechanic may need to remove additional engine components, drain the engine oil and replace seals, gaskets or other timing components. Belt-in-oil systems are generally said to have greater service complexity than conventional timing-belt arrangements.

If the old wet belt has started to break down, the job can become more involved. Belt material may need to be removed from the sump, oil pickup or other parts of the lubrication system before the engine can be safely returned to service.