Cam Belt or timing Belt replacement Onehunga, Penrose Auckland
The cambelt or timing belt is one of the hardest working components in an engine. Made from a rubber based compound that deteriorates with time, it should be checked and replaced every five years or as per the mileage specified in your service schedule – whichever comes first.
Cambelt replacement is a complex job, but by entrusting your car to us you can be confident that the work is being done by experienced trained technicians.
The Cambelt is a flat, rubber belt with teeth that connects the camshaft and crankshaft inside the engine much like a bicycle chain connects the front and rear sprocket. But more importantly it synchronizes the rotation of the valves and pistons to occur at the correct times. Cambelts have replaced chains in many cars today and help make the sophisticated engines we find under the bonnet possible.
Important Cambelt Facts and Service Information
If your vehicles engine is a 4 or 6 cylinder chances are it has one, some V-8’s have them too! You can check your owners manual scheduled maintenance section, cam belts need to be changed at a scheduled service interval. They range anywhere from 60,000 kilometers up to 150,000 KMs depending on the vehicle year, make, model and engine type. Cam belts should also be changed BASED ON TIME. Audi for example recommends changing most of their cam belts after 60 months even if the vehicle has done less than the specified mileage, this is due to the fact that the rubber component degrades after time. Remember you cannot safely judge a belts condition for replacement by looking at it, always consider the length of service and mileage on the vehicle. When replacing a cam belt all associated tensioners, idlers and seals should be done at the same time to avoid a prematurely broken cam belt (see Water pump below)
What happens when a cambelt breaks?
Your vehicle comes to an immediate stop but there is more. The GOOD NEWS is you will need to be towed to a repair shop to replace the belt. The BAD NEWS is your engine may have suffered major internal damage. This can result in more than just cam belt replacement, worst case you may need a new engine!!
Water Pump
If your cambelt or timing belt drives the water pump or is situated behind the cam belt cover change that also. Otherwise a water pump failure or leak can break the cam belt belt. Which defeats the purpose in changing the timing belt as maintenance in the first place.
Auckland Autoclinic can service or do your mechanical, electrical and Warrant of Fitness repairs on your motor vehicle for most of Auckland but we are very convenient if you work or live around these areas:Ellerslie, Greenlane, Hillsborough, Mangere Bridge, Mt Wellington, Newmarket, Onehunga, Penrose, Remuera, Royal Oak.
