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The cambelt is a rubber belt that controls the timing of your vehicle’s internal combustion engines. It performs a vital function by ensuring that the crankshaft and the camshaft rotate in synchronisation. If the timing belt brakes the consequences for your engine are severe - it can cause engine damage! When warning signs appear it is often too late resulting in engine failure and expensive repairs.
You can often tell when it needs a change, as you will notice your car performing unusually.
Sometimes, a cambelt will produce a loud noise when the car is running, this happens most often when the vehicle is first started and the engine is cold. The noise could be a squealing, hissing, grinding, rattling, chirping or rumbling kind of sound. Squealing is common for a loose belt, which can indicate wear and the need for replacement. If the belt is fairly new, yet is still making a noise, you should contact Haywards to have the tension adjusted, but still have the belt visually checked for unusual wear.
If there is an issue with the cambelt, your vehicle may not start at all. This is because without the belt, the camshaft will not rotate when the crankshaft turns. This can be diagnosed by watching the camshaft while turning the crankshaft. If the camshaft does not turn, the belt is broken.
Another way to check whether your cambelt needs replacing, is to take a look at the belt itself. If it is becoming worn, the belt will appear to look glazed or glossy on the underside. This means the rubber is getting hard and will not provide the flexibility the belt needs. Some signs are much more obvious, such as cracking or fraying. Belts with that kind of damage should be replaced immediately. A further way to check is to press a fingernail or the tip of a screwdriver gently onto the belt. If the pressure does not leave a mark, it means the rubber is becoming too stiff.
As the cambelt can be difficult to get to, a visual and physical check is best done by a professional so please call our Service team.
For obvious reasons, it’s recommended to carry out regular maintenance on your vehicle. Haywards will notice wear to the cambelt when your vehicle is in for servicing. If our service team recommend replacing the timing belt, it’s best to follow our advice. Timing belt replacement is a whole lot better than timing belt repair. It is probably not a good idea to try to repair a timing belt unless it is a simple short-term belt to get you home. Replacing the cambelt will save you a lot of trouble and money in the future.
It is important to respect the vehicle's maintenance programme and replace the belt at the recommended age or mileage, whichever comes first. If you Renault is more than five years old and/or has covered over 60,000 miles it is time to get your belt replaced.
When you entrust Haywards with the maintenance of your timing belt you will benefit from a complete package to suit your vehicle.
* Price quoted is for a Clio II 1.2 8v D7F 60bhp.
