The cambelt condundrum

engine.jpg

It’s term that is often bandied about by those in the know, but how many of us really understand what a cambelt is, and how vital it is to the safe and smooth running of our vehicles?

For those of us not blessed with a mechanical mindset, the idea of a crucial part of our motor breaking can fill us with confusion as to why this would happen – and dread at the cost of having to get it fixed by a professional.

So here’s what you need to know about cambelts:

What is a cambelt?

The cambelt is a rubber belt that makes the crankshaft (the bit that turns the up and down movement of the pistons, into horizontal rotational movement) and the camshaft (the bit that operates the intake and exhaust valves) rotate at the same time.

What happens when a cambelt fails?

With no cambelt things can go very wrong, very quickly. Parts of the engine will crash into each other as they move, potentially causing severe damage to your car.

How often should you change your cambelt?

There's no easy answer to this question. There are a number of different ways manufacturers respond to this question. Some give a timescale which can range from 4 to 6 years. Others give mileage, which can range from 40,000 to 100,000 miles. We have great experience in this field and we would advise a conservative approach, as a cambelt failure can cause serious damage to your car.

How can I tell if my cambelt needs changing?

Sadly, there is usually no sign that they cambelt is about to give up, as it is right in the middle of the engine. If you are lucky, you may hear a rattle or a slap, which can be an indicator of a problem – so please make sure you don’t ignore any unexplained rattles. It’s not like your brakes or your headlights, when you are going to immediately notice a difference in the way your car drives.

So if it goes wrong – how much does it cost to put right?

The bill for changing a cambelt can vary on the make of car. It can be a bit deceptive, as the part itself is not that expensive, but the process is quite involved as the engine block needs to be taken apart and then put back together.

So if you find yourself in the situation where you need to have some unexpected repairs that you haven’t budgeted for, but you need your vehicle to be back on the road asap, Swansway Group is here to help.

We offer a 6 months interest free offer, where you can spread your service work costs across 6 months at 0% finance if the work is between £80 - £3,000. And if your bill comes to £1,500 or more, you can spread the cost over 9 months.

With dedicated service centres for Audi in Preston and Blackburn, Honda in Bolton, VW in Oldham and VW Vans also in Preston, and our non-franchise centre at Bolton Motor Match - we can service any vehicle, and we are committed to keeping Lancashire business moving.

So don't let a cambelt conundrum slow you down!

Enjoyed this? Read more from Swansway Motor Group

Latest news

1

Final call for investors: Rossendale community solar project must hit target by November Gary McEwan managing director of Interfloor

Final call for investors: Rossendale community solar project must hit target by November

10 Sep 2025

2

Lancashire Combined County Authority unveil plan to Get Lancashire Working Lancashire Combined Authority

Lancashire Combined County Authority unveil plan to Get Lancashire Working

10 Sep 2025

3

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and BAE Systems’ FalconWorks announce strategic collaboration Collaboration between BAE Systems FalconWorks and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and BAE Systems’ FalconWorks announce strategic collaboration

09 Sep 2025

4

High street retailers urged to ‘take advantage’ of new funded support programme Brian Moore, Lee Johnson, Anne Williamson and Andrew Leeming

High street retailers urged to ‘take advantage’ of new funded support programme

08 Sep 2025

5

Beaverbrooks invest in the high street in difficult conditions Mark Adlestone And Anna Blackburn Beaverbrooks

Beaverbrooks invest in the high street in difficult conditions

08 Sep 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs
Sub36 Deaf Village Social1200
Networking
17 Sep 2025

Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs

The Deaf Village, Blackburn, BB2 5EN

10:00 - 12:00

LBV124 September/October Launch Event
MBP Arc Cinema Preston Opening 205
Networking
18 Sep 2025

LBV124 September/October Launch Event

The Arc Cinema, Preston, PR1 2BL

08:30 - 10:30

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!
Preston Tech Connection Sept 25.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Sep 2025 - 16 Sep 2025

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
17 Sep 2025 - 17 Sep 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
Chorley Council breakfast event new
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Worden Hall, Leyland, PR25 3DH

08:00 - 11:00

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September
TMM Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September

Chorley, PR7 2SL

18:00 - 20:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin