People coming into our car repair garage are often surprised when we tell them their cambelt needs changing. In fact, a lot of people weren’t even really sure it was there in the first place, and are even less knowledgeable about what it does. Luckily, that’s why the experts are here.
To keep you in the (rubber) loop, we thought we’d dedicate a blog post to cambelts, so you can understand just a little bit more about what we get up to when you come in for a top car repair in Bolton.
What’s a cambelt?
If you’ve ever opened the hood of your car, there’s a good chance you’ll recognise the sight of a cambelt – even if you’re not entirely sure what it does. It’s a circular length of rubber, perforated on the inside, that wraps around the inside of the crankshaft and the camshaft.
In fact, it looks something like a rubber bicycle chain. It synchronises the rotations of these crucial engine parts, thus ensuring that the engines valves open at the right times.
For this reason, a cambelt is often also referred to as a timing belt or timing chain.
Why is a cambelt so important?
You might think that a length of rubber is probably not the most important part of your car’s engine. But it’s role is crucial - since it ensures that other constituent parts of your car’s engine all do their jobs at exactly the right time.
If you want the most efficient, effective and optimal operation from your vehicle – making sure your cambelt is in full working order, and changed regularly, is a vital way of achieving this.
How do I know when to get a cambelt car repair?
There are a few different ways you can learn to recognise when your cambelt needs replacing.
Listen to it
The most obvious sign of a dysfunctional cambelt is if it produces a noticeable noise when your car starts or when it’s running. This could occur just as you start your vehicle, which then dies down as the engine warms up.
Inspect it
It’s probably a good idea to lift up the hood of your car and give your cambelt a look every once in a while. When you do, check that there’s no wear or cracks in the rubber, and that it maintains its flexibility. You should also check that it fits tightly over the crankshaft and camshaft.
Regular servicing and car servicing repair
All good drivers bring their cars to a car repair garage regularly, whether for an MOT and service, full on car repair or just a quick check up. Getting a professional to have a look at your cambelt and all the other parts of your car is the only definite way to ensure you’re getting the best out of your vehicle.
Take a look at full range of car repair services or contact us right here.