Mobile Timing Belt & Cambelt Replacement

How we carry out timing belts

The timing belt (cambelt) synchronises the crankshaft and camshaft(s) so the engine's valves open and close at exactly the right point in each piston's cycle. If the belt snaps or jumps teeth, the valves and pistons collide — on an interference engine this causes catastrophic internal damage that can cost more than the car is worth. The job involves removing ancillaries to access the belt, replacing the belt itself, the tensioner, the idler pulleys, and usually the water pump (which is driven by the same belt on many engines) — all items that have worked the same number of miles.

Manufacturer replacement intervals vary widely — typically every 40,000–100,000 miles or every 4–6 years, whichever comes first. The time element is just as important as mileage: rubber degrades with age even on a low-mileage car. Check your vehicle handbook or ask us; we can look up the correct interval for your make, model and year. Many modern cars use a timing chain rather than a belt — chains are designed to last the life of the engine but can stretch or develop rattle if oil changes are neglected.

Timing belt replacement is a precision job requiring correct torque settings and timing lock tools specific to each engine family. We carry manufacturer-specific tool kits for the most common engines and use OEM-specification or OEM-equivalent belt kits. If you're unsure whether your car is due, we'd rather check and tell you it's fine than have you drive on a belt that's past its service life.